Each year, dozens of area anglers look forward in anticipation of the annual Bobby Holloway Jr. Memorial Fishing Tournament and the wait is soon to be over.

On Saturday, March 27, members of the Bobby Board will present its 12th annual fund raiser at the Lee County Fisherman’s Co-op at the end of Maria Drive in St. James City. Teams of up to four anglers will vie for prizes in a number of categories during this catch-and-release tournament. In past years, anglers sought redfish, trout, a mystery fish and snook, however, this year the creel requirements have been altered.

“In response to the stress on our snook population, we have eliminated that category from this year’s tournament,” said Bobby Board member Ralph Herring. “Instead we will be allowing each team to weigh in two trout and no snook will be accepted at the scales.”

To participate, the entry fee will be $250 per boat of up to four anglers which also includes any guides. This fee includes the Captain’s dinner, ramp and parking fees, Captains bag and a free barbecue/fish fry at the end of the tournament. The event will begin with a shotgun start 7:30 a.m. one half mile south of Demere Key with weigh-ins beginning at 11 a.m. Only live fish will be weighed and all decisions by the tournament director will be final. This year anglers will fish for one redfish, two trout and one mystery fish which will be announced at the Captains meet on Friday evening before the event and the winners will be determined when the scales close at precisely at 3:30 p.m. The total combined weight of all four fish per team will be used to determine the winners and any youth entries can not be used for team total weight. Prizes will be award are $1,000 for first place, $600 for second place, $400 for third place, $200 for fourth place and the fifth place team will be awarded free entry to next year’s event. In the event of a tie, the first team to post a total score will be declared the winner. Prizes also will be awarded to top finishers in the youth division for anglers age 12 and under.

While awaiting the tournament results, spectators can enjoy the barbecue/fish fry for $8 per plate as well as numerous 50/50 drawings and a silent auction.

This year’s auction items include; stays on Usseppa Island, jewelry, artwork, fishing gear, gift certificates for goods and services and many more.

As in year’s past the prizes for top anglers are sponsored by area supporters of the event.

“We are very pleased that many of our sponsors have returned to support the event this year,” said Bobby Board member Elsie Stearns. “We are thankful for their continued contributions that make this tournament such a success.”

Sponsoring the youth entry boats are award winning anglers, Jen and Billy Glass, the Simandl family, Dylan Renz from Century 21, Center of Attention Day Spa, attorney Jason Gunter and Island Girl Charters. As for the cash prizes for the adult division, this year’s sponsors are, for first place, Williamson Brothers; second place, Goldberg, Racila, d’Alessandro and Noone; third place, Stearn’s Construction; fourth place, Southern Tradition Bushhog and Mowing; fifth place, Long’s Paint and Body and for the redfish with the most spots prize is Honc Industries. Also sponsoring the kids overall division is Total Payroll of Pine Island.

All proceeds from this event will benefit island charities and scholarships for college bound island students.

For more information, call Ernestine at 281-8225, Ralph 283-2918 or Chris 344-6159 or visit hollowaytourney.org