Saturday, May 10th, 2008

Pictured above is Team Pirate Fishing, winner of the 1st and 2nd Annual Tybee Island Fishing Tournament. That's right...they won 1st place two years in a row. Somebody needs to come along and bump them off the throne this year!! Our 3rd Annual event will be held Saturday, May 10, 2008, beginning at 5 am and ending precisely at 5 pm. Just like the past two years, the tournament is open to everyone, whether you fish from a boat, pier, beach, kayak, or charter boat. Points are awarded for different species of fish, with more points being awarded to "harder to catch" fish. Total points at the end of the day wins. There is no entry fee...yes, that means that it is a free event. Bring your legal fish to the store BEFORE 5 pm and your team will be awarded your points. Each team is allowed up to 4 fisherpeople. But what if you only have 2 people in your fishing party? Enter...it is free anyway, and you may win. For example, more points are given to redfish, trout and flounder than most species because they are harder to catch. Therefore, if a team of only two fishermen limit out on trout and reds, while a team of 4 fishermen only catch 2 trout and 5 reds, then the group of two will win by points! Also, trophies and prizes will be awarded to the best overall individual performance...which means you don't even have to be on a team to win. Bring in your fish that you catch. The only important rule is that every team and individual must pre-register by calling, emailing, or stopping by the shop before 5 am on Saturday, May 10, 2008. A list of rules follows this years sponsors below. Last years winners had several nich redfish, trout, and a flounder, but it was 2 whiting that they brought in (which counts 1 point each) that put them over the top by 1 point!

Prizes are starting to come in from various supporters of our 3rd Annual event. We will post more as they come in, but currently we have as supporters Tru-Turn, Frabill, Flying Fisherman, Zoom Baits, Dorcy, Lloyd Osgood HogHair Baits, Airrus Rods, Bass Assassin, Orion Industries, Bite-A-Bait, Big Ten Tackle, Pure Fishing, Angler's Book Supply, AFTCO Bluewater MFG. Co., Magic Products, Adventure Products, Wright McGill (Eagle Claw), Angler's Fish-N-Mate, Flambeau, Aaron Martens Lures, Bill Lewis Lures, and Paxton Company.

Prizes for the past two years have been an impressive collection of fishing tackle and gear. Our supporters have donated between $1,500 and $2,500 in tackle that we give away to the 1st place team and individual. On top of that, we give away gift certificates in our shop and a free charter fishing trip as a drawing to everyone who enters. Stop by and have some fun on Saturday, May 10, 2008!

RULES - Teams may only have up to 4 people. Each person is automatically entered into the Best Individual Performance category. Each team or individual must pre-register by calling 912-786-7472, emailing at gofish@tybeeislandbaitandtackle.com, or stopping by the store prior to Saturday, May 10, 2008. There is no entry fee...this is a free event with several thousand dollars worth of prizes given away! 1) All fish must be legal....regardless. 2) All fish being considered for weigh-in must be COUNTED by 5 pm on the day of the tournament. That means if you show up at 2 minutes before 5 pm and I am already counting somebody else's fish and it takes me 5 minutes to do so, your fish will not be considered! 3) In the case of a tie amoung teams or individuals with equal points, the team or individual with the biggest fish in length will be declared the winner. If a tie still exists, the team or individual who had the earliest weigh-in will be declared the winner. 4) Points will be awarded as follows: whiting, black sea bass, spot, and croaker...1 point each; sheepshead, black drum, weakfish, bluefish, and Spanish mackerel...5 points each; flounder and dolphin...9 points each; pompano, redfish, and speckled trout...12 points each; red snapper, gag grouper, amberjack, king mackerel, wahoo, yellowfin tuna and blackfin tuna...15 points each; cobia and tripletail...20 points each. **In addition, the largest fish in each species caught will receive an additional 10 points. So if you catch a limit of redfish and one of your redfish happens to be the biggest red brought in that day, you will be awarded 70 points - 5 fish X 12 points = 60, plus 10 points for the biggest red = 70 points.

Hope to see everybody again for the 3rd Annual Tybee Island Fishing Tournament!! In the meantime, check out some photo's below of 2007's event!!