Pull an all nighter for a good cause
The Bobby Holloway Jr. Fund board members are pleased to announce the return of its popular event, the “Pine Island Big Fin” shark tournament. This all-night event will take place beginning Saturday, Aug. 8, with the final check-in scheduled to take place on the morning of Sunday, Aug. 9.
The entry fee for the shark tournament is just $50 per angler whether fishing from a boat or on dry land. The entry fee not only entitles anglers the opportunity to win a cash prize but also includes a free tournament T-shirt, a captain’s dinner and breakfast. All proceeds from the event are earmarked for the purchase of shade covers for the children’s playground located at Phillips Park near the Pine Island Pool at the island center.
The rules for this year’s tournament are as follows:
1. Have fun
2. Mandatory captain’s meeting: 4 p.m., on Aug. 8, at Jug Creek Fish House in Bokeelia
3. Tournament starts after the captain’s meeting. No fishing before the captain’s meeting.
4. Only one shark per vessel or one shark per shore side angler will be measured.
5. Minimum shark size, 5 feet — measured from nose to fork of tail. The longest shark wins.
6. No nurse sharks. No frozen fish.
7. No assistance from anyone outside the tournament.
8. No shooting sharks. This is illegal in Florida. All sharks must by legally caught.
9. Shark must be caught with rod and reel. No hand lines.
10. Fish will be measured beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday with the last measurement at 8 a.m. Sunday morning.
11. State of Florida fishing regulations apply.
12. In case of a tie, the first fish measured wins.
13. When a shark is caught, a call must be made to verify that the length has not all ready been exceeded. The phone number to call will be provided at the captain’s meeting.
14. A tournament catch must be quickly gutted and thoroughly iced so that the fish can be passed along to food processors if the angler desires. Anglers must remove the fish unless donated after being measured.
15. All winners are subject to a polygraph test.
16. All decisions by the tournament director are final.
17. If all else fails, refer back to rule #1.
Anglers may launch from any point on the island, however there is no ramp at the Jug Creek Fish House where the captain’s meeting and dinner will take place prior to the event. This year the cash prizes to be awarded are $1,000 for first place, $500 for second place and $250 for the angler registering the third longest shark.
The tournament will culminate with the final measurements and a celebratory breakfast on Sunday morning at 8 a.m.
Anglers interested in participating in the Big Fin Shark Tournament may mail a check to the Bobby Holloway Memorial Fund. P.O. Box 712, St. James City, Fla. 33956. For more information, call Leland at 633-6484 or Brian at 770-1312. Those interested can also visit the Bobby Holloway Jr. Memorial Fund Web site at hollowaytourney.org