Announcing the 29th Annual Reedville Fishing Tournament --- SAVE THE DATE!

By Joanne W. Walters, Member, SPSR

Smith Point Sea Rescue, sponsor of the Annual Reedville FishingTournament is asking you to Save the Date for the upcoming 29^th Annual Reedville Fishing Tournament.

The “Derby” as it is often referred to, has been completely revamped. And we believe you will like the new format, particularly those of you who have an interest in Rockfish (Striper) Trophy Season.

After soliciting input from previous Derby participants, both recreational and professional, and in consideration of the economic climate, SPSR realized that it was time to make some changes.

The Derby, started in 1984, is the longest running tournament of its kind on the Chesapeake Bay. In the early years the Derby drew over 500 entries and focused on fishing for what was then a heavy population of Bluefish.

With the large Bluefish population diminished, and the Rockfish population very strong, SPSR enthusiastically announces preliminary details about the newly-structured tournament.



Here are just a few particulars to whet your appetite. The Derby will now be a one-day event and it will be a “single species” tournament, with Rockfish front and center. The Derby will be held on Saturday, May 12^th, 2012.

This date falls within the Virginia Striper Trophy Season which is a time of year when trophy-size Rockfish are more abundant. Registration Check-in and the Captain’s Meeting will occur on Friday, May 11, 2012, at Buzzard’s Point Marina in Reedville, Virginia, the official headquarters of the tournament. Derby fishing hours will run from 6:00am to 4:00pm.

There will be no check-out boats at the beginning of the Derby, and check-in and weigh stations will be at Buzzard’s Point Marina, with other stations at Smith Point Marina, Norview Marina and on the Coan River.

SPSR Vice-President and Tournament Chairman, Captain Russ Bertino stated that “while this tournament will focus entirely on Rockfish, we have expanded the fishing territory to include all of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, from the Bay Bridge at Annapolis south to the Bay Bridge Tunnel.

Chairman Bertino explained that SPSR is going back to its roots, to the day when the tournament focused exclusively on a single fish species. This past summer, Bertino met with many of the local area charter captains and recreational fishing folks who participate in the Derby annually and this was but one of many changes that were heavily favored by both groups.

“Even though the tournament territory now includes both Maryland and Virginia waters”, Bertino stated, “we will be adhering to Virginia Rockfish rules and regulations.”

And what about the prize monies? At the 2012 tournament, prizes totaling $40,000.00 will be awarded to 10 placements, with an aggregate two-fish limit. Chairman Bertino stated that “We will continue with many traditions of the past for our tournament, including a Youth category, prize monies for the largest fish, and prize monies for the voluntary “Derby within a Derby.”

The Awards Ceremony will occur immediately after all of the competitor’s Rockfish have been inspected, weighed and certified on Saturday evening. And as in the past, we will be having great entertainment, great food, great beverages, and great fun for all ages.
SPSR will be announcing additional details about the 29^th Annual Reedville Fishing Derby in the very near future. Early registration is encouraged and registration packets will become available early in 2012.

Remember, SAVE THE DATE---Friday and Saturday, May 11 and 12, 2012. We’ll see you there!

For additional information on the Smith Point Sea Rescue 29th Annual Reedville Fishing Tournament, 2012, be sure to visit the Smith Point Sea Rescue website at http"//www.smithpointsearescue.com or call Chairman Bertino at 410-458-9258 or email him at FISHN777@GMAIL.COM .