Hardy Proaxis-X 12-weight Rod Plays Major Role
In the world of saltwater flyfishing the annual Gold Cup Invitational Fly Tarpon Tournament is the pinnacle. Past champions read like a who's who for the sport and include names such as baseball hero Ted Williams who helped create the tournament and fly fishing legend Billy Pate. Now two Hardy pro team members angler Thane Morgan and guide Captain Dustin Huff have joined the illustrious list by winning the 2014 Gold Cup.
Morgan a native of Amarillo Texas and Huff Marathon Florida caught seven release and three weight tarpons for a total of 5106 points to win the five-day tournament headquartered at Islamorada Florida. Their largest tarpon weighed 116 pounds. Their rod was the high performance Hardy® Proaxis-X 12-weight built with the revolutionary SINTRIX® resin material for ultimate durability and control.
Morgan also won the 2010 Gold Cup and Huff's father has won the event three times.
The Gold Cup Invitational celebrating 51 years is an all-release format using 16-pound IGFA specifications. Five "weight" fish (70-pound minimum) can be measured for points with 10 points awarded per pound. In addition tarpon weighing less than 70 pounds and measuring at least four feet in length are worth 300 points each. A fishing guide licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard must accompany each angler.
In winning the tournament the Morgan and Huff names will be engraved along with all past winners on the Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament perpetual trophy permanently on display at World Wide Sportsman in Islamorada.