Anglers come from virtually around the world to confront the mighty tarpon of Marathon. The tarpon await all comers when the 42nd annual Marathon International Tarpon Tournament gets underway Thursday, May 1, for three evenings of fishing.

The popular tournament is to begin at 2 p.m. Thursday with a late sign-up followed by a captains meeting and kick-off party at the World Class Angler, mile marker 50 gulfside in Marathon.

Thursday and Friday, fishing is scheduled from lines in at 5 p.m. to lines out at 9 p.m. Lines in is scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday, with lines out at 8 p.m. The tournament banquet and awards ceremony are planned for 9 p.m. Saturday at Key Colony Inn, 700 West Ocean Drive in Key Colony Beach.

Trophies are to be awarded for first through third place in categories for individual anglers and two-angler teams. Additional trophies will be awarded for most tarpon released, most fish other than tarpon released, most total fish released (including tarpon) and first- and second-place captain.

All tarpon must exceed 36 inches in length from tip of mouth to fork of tail to qualify for points. Anglers can use 12- or 30-pound test line on conventional or spinning tackle. Live and dead bait, lures and fly are permitted but chumming is not allowed. Tarpon caught on 12-pound line count for 225 points while those caught on 30-pound line count for 150 points.

Entry fee is $250 per angler. An additional $40 registration is required for two anglers to fish as a team. Social tickets are $50 per person.For more information and entry forms, call Dave Navarro at the World Class Angler at (305) 743-6139, or e-mail worldclassan@comcast.net.