Top East Coast Tournaments to Support RFA
OutdoorHub 08.01.12
August is tournament time along the Atlantic Coast – and whether you prefer offshore, inshore or drifting the inlets and back bays, the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) is proud to be partnered up with some of the top tournament directors along the Atlantic Coast this month.
Remember, when you fish to win in these upcoming events, you’re also directly contributing to the fight for your right to fish by supporting the RFA!
First up is the 39th Annual White Marlin Open to be held from this coming Monday, August 6th through Friday, August 10th. A total of total 237 boats participated in the 2011 tournament which boasted payout of more than $2.13 million – and this year’s event expects to be equally impressive.
Entry in the White Marlin Open is just $1,200 per boat – no matter the boat size, nor the number of anglers onboard. That entry entitles the anglers to compete for a guaranteed $50,000 in prize money. After the boat is officially entered in the tournament, the anglers have the option of entering their boat in the added skill levels. In fact, this year’s event boasts a new white marlin ‘winner take all’ and ‘tuna winner take all’ added entry levels for boats 36 feet and under.
Late registration for the White Marlin Open is this Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. at Harbour Island Marina in Ocean City, MD, with the captain’s meeting set for 7 p.m. on Sunday. Fishing will kick off on Monday morning at 8:30 a.m., with each boat/angler allowed to fish a maximum of three days.
“The offshore fishing has been extremely good recently,” said White Marlin Open director and RFA board member Jim Motsko. “Bigeye tuna and yellowfins are around, and also, a lot of blue marlin have been caught, unusual for this early in the season.”
Motsko said that white marlin have been fairly plentiful in the canyons, “especially, the offshore of the Norfolk Canyon,” and he’s hopeful this fish will be continuing their northern migration and be easily accessible to anglers just offshore of Ocean City, MD next week.
“The White Marlin Open is proud to support the RFA in their effort to preserve the rights of recreational fisherman and encourages all anglers to join,” he added.
For information, contact the White Marlin Open at 410-289-9229 or visit the website directly at www.whitemarlinopen.com.
For king mackerel fishermen in North Carolina, don’t miss the 12th Annual Onslow Bay Open king mackerel tournament from August 10th through August 11th. Registration will be from 5 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday the 10th at the Hampton Inn in Swansboro, NC. Entry fee is $350 with $10 from each entry donated to the Recreational Fishing Alliance. The captains meeting on Friday night will begin at 7 p.m. will pizza and refreshments available beginning at 5 p.m.
Then on Saturday the 11th, it’s lines in at 6:30 a.m. with tournament hours running until 5:30 p.m. with the scales at Caspers Drystack Marina in Swansboro. The awards ceremony will take place at 8:30 p.m. at the Hampton Inn on Route 24 in Swansboro. For complete tournament rules and contact information, visit www.obokmt.us.
Finally for New Jersey fluke fishermen, the fastest growing tournament at the Jersey Shores is the Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh of the Jersey Shore’s 5th Annual Fluke Tournament with $10,000 in prizes including a grand prize of $4,500 for first place based on 175-boat field. With weigh stations at Belmar Marina in Shark River Inlet and Hoffman’s Marina at Manasquan Inlet, The Shillelagh is becoming one of state’s most popular fluke tournaments and with good reason.
It all starts with the official captain’s meeting on Friday, August 17th beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Shillelagh Club at 815 16th Avenue in Belmar, NJ where one member of each boat must be present for tournament package and rules presentation. Entry fee per boat for four anglers is just $125 before August 10th, with a charge of $25 per additional angler (entry fees goes up to $150 per boat starting August 11th.)
Following a full-day of fishing on Saturday, August 18th, the Friendly Sons of the Shillelagh (FSOS) will host a huge tournament Picnic beginning at 3 p.m. with food and beverage. All proceeds from The Shillelagh will benefit the Recreational Fishing Alliance and the FSOS Foundation.
For details, look for the Fluke Tournament button at www.fsosbelmar.com, or call tournament director Gary Friedhoff at 732-865-3669.
Finally, it’s back to North Carolina for kingfish at the end of August and the Brunswick Islands Saltwater Classic to be held at Oak Island, NC from August 31st to September 1st. King mackerel entry is $300 before August 16th by cash, check or credit card, while onsite entry at the registration on Friday the 31st from 5 to 8 p.m. will cost 350.
A Saltwater Classic Series 2012 event, the Brunswick Islands Saltwater Classic is headquartered out of the South Harbor Village Marina, Oak Island, NC. A mandatory captains meeting will commence on Friday night at 7 p.m., with lines in on Saturday at 6:30 a.m. Final weigh-in will close at 5 p.m. with an awards presentation at 7 p.m. For details, call tournament director Terry Adkins at 800-546-4622 or visit www.bluewaterpromo.com for more details.
This month, fish hard and help earn cash for your RFA – fighting hard for your right to fish!
