Mullet will take to the air later this month
All eyes will be turned to the sky in Matlacha later this month. Not to watch birds or planes, but flying fish. These are not your garden variety flying fish however, these fish will be mullet.
On Saturday, March 29, the Matlacha Mariners will present the 19th Annual Matlacha Mullet Toss Championship. The toss will be staged at the Olde Fish House Marina in the heart of Matlacha beginning at 11 a.m.
This popular event attracts mullet tossers from around the state to vie for the chance to be declared the world champion. Registration for the toss will take place during the event and tossers can sign-up to lob as many fish as they like. The cost per toss is $5 for adults and $2 for kids 15 and under.
The day will begin with the kids tossing fish at 11 a.m., followed by several adult divisions. The categories will be boys ages 1 to 15, girls 1 to 15, male adults 16 and over and female adults 16 and over. The adults will begin tossing at 12:01 p.m. and things will get wrapped up at about 4:30 p.m.
The rules for the mullet toss are as follows:
n No gloves allowed, however, unlike the FloraBama event, contestants can apply sand to their hands or the fish to gain a better grip.
n The mullet must be thrown from anywhere behind and up to the foul line, down a designated path.
n No stepping over the line during your throw and following through or your toss my be disqualified.
n Throwing your mullet out of bounds may also result in a disqualification.
n All measurements results are final under the discretion of the Matlacha Mariner’s operating officials.
Each mullet weighs approximately one pound and all are recycled as a donation to area crabbers to be used as bait in crab traps. The fish are not live when the contest is under way. Proceeds from the event are donated to a variety of island charities and individuals in need of a temporary helping hand.
Donations by the Mariners from this event have benefited the Pine Island Elementary School, the Pine Island Little League, the Pine Island Fire Explorers, Matlacha Community Center Summer Camp and many others.
The first mullet toss was held in northern Florida and is still held each year as the FloraBama Interstate Mullet Toss. In 2004, the world record was established at this event by Josh Serotum who tossed a mullet an amazing 189 feet 8 inches. This record still holds today.
Visitors, contestants and spectators are encouraged to to bring lawn chairs, however coolers and outside beverages are strictly prohibited. Adult beverages, soft drinks and water will be available for purchase and hamburgers and hot dogs also will be available for a minimal charge.
The Matlacha Mariners, a 501(c)3 are a men’s social service organization, is dedicated to serving Matlacha and Greater Pine Island. For more information about the Mariners and other events hosted by the organization, visit the Web site at matlachamariners.org.