By MIKE HOLLIDAY

Despite adverse weather, tourneys went on without a hitch.

It seemed as if every weekend this fall A there was some form of tropical disturbance chasing tournament anglers. At one time, there were three hurricanes in the Atlantic and a tropical storm working its way through the Panhandle. If the storms weren t directly striking the coasts or sweeping through the Keys, their remnants were washing over decks across the state or leaving visual reminders of the powers of nature.

 The largest crowd ever turned out to fish the third year of the PeterT. Assimack Memorial Tournament in Tarpon Springs.

The annual event originated as a Stamas Boat tournament and was later renamed for a popular local angler and Florida Conservation Association member. The tournament has grown every year since its inception, and this year drew 153 entries.

 “Peter would have loved seeing all the flats boats,” said Charlie Phillips of Tarpon Springs. “Everyone who fishes and lives in this area knew Peter enjoyed fishing inshore. He just loved to fish for tarpon with a fly.”

  Assimack succumbed to cancer three years ago, but his love for the sport and his memory live on with the tournament. “By encouraging people to fish, the tournament continues to share the unique fishing opportunities in the area that Peter knew so well,” said Phillips.

September weather can be hit-or-miss, depending on the storms moving through the Gulf, and with rain clouds looming in all directions, inshore tournament participants dodged showers all day while the offshore boats battled rough seas to claim their fish. The only weight division in the tournament was for grouper, and the largest fish ever taken in the tournament was brought to the dock by Tom Butler of Clearwater, who said he caught the massive 43.5-pound specimen somewhere “out yonder,” as he pointed to the open Gulf.

 Although the tournament pays out the top three places in each division, previous events have seen only one entry win the trout division or just-legal fish take home the top prizes.

This year was an exception to that rule, with clean water conditions and a great tide, as more large fish than ever before were caught, measured, photographed and released. In the snook division, Paul Wikle took top honors with a 30.25-inch fish, ousting each of the two runners-up by less than two inches. Trout division winner Leo Orsi nabbed a 25.25-inch specimen, and the redfish division went to Patrick Olive with a 31.25-inch red drum.