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  Tarpon, Snook and Redfish guide - Light tackle and fly fishing charters with Florida fishing guide Capt. Mark Bennett - tarpon genetics - tarpon research

In the three years that I was tagging (DNA sampling) tarpon I dominated the competition.  Tagging and releasing more adult tarpon than anyone, anywhere in the world.  I set a record in 2009 for tagging 147 tarpon in one season.  Since the program started in 2005, previously no one had ever even come close to this number in one season.  In 2010, I tagged 148.  April through July 2011, I tagged 165 at which point I ceased to tag tarpon for the remainder of the season. 

Even stopping early, in July, I still tagged more tarpon than anyone on the West Coast of Florida.

Unfortunately because of several unethical actions of the FWRI that were recently (some not so recently) brought to my attention, such as advertising, promoting and endorsing a tournament series that undeniably is the number one greatest threat to the health of the Florida tarpon fishery,  I can not in good conscience continue to help in their agenda.

I honestly thought the research they were doing was meant to help tarpon, not kill them.

2011 was my last year DNA sampling tarpon.

I first heard of the Tarpon Genetic DNA tagging program in March '09.  I was browsing the Florida Wildlife Research Institute's website.  I was interested in the findings of the past and thought I could help out by tagging a lot of tarpon that upcoming season.  

What really got my attention was they were keeping track of how many samples each guide/fisherman obtained.  This was a way to FINALLY show who caught the most tarpon over an entire season.  Some of the best tarpon guides from all over the state are already involved.  Any and all naysayers are invited to participate.

Put up or shut up...What a concept!

How do you get a DNA Sample from a tarpon?

Essentially, when a tarpon is boat side, I grab the leader in one hand and the fish by the lower jaw.  Then I rub a piece of scotch-brite pad on the side of his upper jaw.  Then the pad is placed into a small vial that is index numbered by the FWRI.  Lastly, I record all of the pertinent information about the fish size, weight, capture location etc.

That is a little easier said than done.  First and foremost a photo for my client with his or her fish is my number one priority.  Secondly, holding onto a less than happy fish with your hands that weighs over 100 pounds is not that easy to begin with.  Then adding scrubbing his face with a scotch-brite pad.  It tends to make them a bit perturbed to say the least.  During the course of the season if I got samples off of 50% of the tarpon we landed I felt good about it.   

The numbers are in and it is official!

May and June Tarpon Challenge Results

Hello Tarpon DNA Anglers,

We are also pleased to announce that Capt. Mark Bennett is the winner of the 2^nd annual Markett Tarpon Challenge for 2010.

Capt. Mark Bennett has claimed this honor for the second consecutive year-by collecting 95 samples during the months of May and June.

We have included the May-June Top Ten list for your review:  

1.       Capt. Mark Bennett – 95

2.       Tie -- Capt. Gary Maconi and Capt. Paul D’Antonio – 77 each

3.       Capt. Jeff Hagaman – 39

4.       Tie -- Jeff Owens and Capt. Tom Stephens – 37 each

5.       Capt. Skip Neilson – 36

6.       Capt. Jay Withers – 34

7.       Capt. Jeff Malone – 32

8.       Tie -- Capt. Carl Ball and Capt. Dave Markett – 30 each

Cheers,

     The Tarpon Genetics Team

2010 Overall Results

Here are the 2009 overall results: FWRI/FWC website

Tarpon Challenge

Written by Capt. Ron Presley | 06 April 2009

Florida Guides Association Guide Offers Tarpon Challenge

 A Friendly Tarpon Challenge Issued

A featured speaker at the annual Florida Guides Association meeting was FWC Scientist Kathy Guindon. Kathy described the Tarpon Genetics program and asked for the guides to support the effort of collecting DNA samples. A lot of FGA guides already participate in the program but they need more.

Last week after a meeting with Kathy, FGA West Coast VP, Capt. Dave Markett proclaimed, "Ain't No Way any other working guide is gonna' out tag me this May and June ." He went on to say, "In fact, I'll throw down the gauntlet and say I'll beat em' all in May and June - if I don't then I'll deliver a bottle of the winner's favorite spirits to that winner personally. You can quote me on that." 

Well folks, that sounds like a challenge to me. I have some friends who are really good tarpon anglers and they don't all live on the West Coast. Kathy needs samples from all over the state and I think she's gonna' get em' because this challenge cannot go unanswered.

Remember, size doesn't matter with this Tarpon research. If you catch a tarpon take the sample and send it in. Use the contact information below to obtain your easy to use jaw scrape sample kits.

DNA is the fish tag of the future.  Using forensic science and DNA fingerprinting techniques on DNA samples you provide from any tarpon you catch can provide a "tag" to uniquely identify an individual tarpon.   The technique is less invasive to the fish.  It is less costly to tag tarpon using this jaw scrape technique than conventional tags that can break, foul, or fall out of the fish and the FWC-Fish and Wildlife Research Institute has the ability to process the genetic material in house (St. Petersburg).  Finally, DNA is a tag that lasts forever.