Registration under way for annual Big Fin Shark Tournament
The 4th annual Pine Island Big Fin Shark Tournament, which is organized by the Bobby Holloway Memorial Fund, will take place next weekend for anglers who want to go fishing all night.
Bobby Holloway Memorial Fund President and Board Member Ernestine Holloway Squires said the event typically attracts about 100 fishermen. She said the event, which has been successful in past years, is a fun event for them to hold.
The tournament kicks off after the mandatory captains’ dinner at Pineland Marina on July 28, at 4 p.m., which includes a barbecue dinner. Squires said after the rules are discussed the anglers take off and fish all night for the largest bull shark and largest black tip shark.
“When they catch a shark, they call in,” she said.
If an angler catches a certain size shark that has not been caught yet, Squires said, they bring it in and get it measured. But if a 5-foot shark has already been called in, for example, it is let go.
The first measure-in will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday with the last measurement at 8 a.m. Sunday morning.
The tournament ends with a breakfast at the marina at 8 a.m. Sunday.
With the $50 entry fee, anglers receive a T-shirt, ramp pass, one parking pass, captains’ dinner and breakfast. Although anglers can register for the tournament up until the captain’ meeting, Squires encourages them to do beforehand to ensure they receive the correct T-shirt size.
The prize for the largest bull shark and largest black tip shark is $1,000. The minimum shark size for the tournament is 5 feet from the nose to fork of the tail.
A portion of the money raised during the tournament will go towards providing shade for the playground at Phillips Park. Squires said although they are ready to go ahead with adding shade to the park, they are waiting for an OK from Lee County.
Squires said the shark meat from the tournament will be donated to the Salvation Army.
For additional information visit www.hollowaytourney.org.