Tarpon Queen makes appearance

Tarpon Queen Nicole Coudal made an appearance at the 80th annual Sarasota All-Release Tarpon Tournament. Sporting her sparkly tiara and sash, Coudal greeted the anglers at the event’s final fish-off and helped to celebrate their victories Saturday, July 10, at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota.

Winners were: first place, Bryan Wright, of Olive Branch, Miss., with a 31-inch girth fish; and second place, local Capt. Bruce Burkhart, with a 24-inch girth fish. The three remaining anglers fished well, but were unable to coax fish into taking the bait. The final three placings were based on the fish that qualified each angler to compete in the fish-off. Third place went to Clark Nash, of Sarasota, with a 40.5-inch girth fish caught in week two of the competition; in fourth place was Robert Wright, of Sarasota, who qualified for the finals with his 40-inch girth fish caught in week four; and fifth place went to Tom Goshorn, of Sarasota, who nabbed a 39-inch girth tarpon in week five of the tournament.

Ladies Special Division winners were Coudal, of Nokomis, with a 36-inch girth fish; and junior Cameron Gorski, of Sarasota, with a 30-inch girth fish.