The 2013 shirts have arrived and are now available for shipment.  The shirts look great and we have some new colors that have been popular this year.  Check them out at the store.

This year’s tournament details have been finalized!  Tournament participants were surveyed to determine preferences for some possible changes to the format of the event.  Based on survey results, the directors have changed the Tuna / Dolphin category into an Added Level with 5 participation levels: A – $1000, B – $500, C – $250, D – $100, and E – $50. In recent years, the tuna have been running well at tournament time and restructuring the payout for this category will provide a great opportunity for participants to have a larger payout. Another change for the program will be a lower entry fee!  The fee has been reduced from $700 to $650 and will be reflected on the new entry form.  However, the guaranteed payout categories – Release, Mako, Open and Bluefish remain unchanged.

Please note, the brochures printed this year will not include an entry form.  The only access for the form will be the online version which will be available soon. Our thanks to those of you that have been inquiring about the changes and the entry form.  Brochures will be distributed to local shops and mailed to past participants next week and our shirts will be available online and in local shops very soon.

The National Marine Fisheries has decided NOT to proceed with the proposed restrictions to shark fishing that were intended to boost dusky shark populations.  This means that the proposed eight foot minimum for mako, blue and thresher sharks will not be imposed in the 2013 fishing season.  This is great news for commercial fishermen, recreational anglers and tournament participants. With this remaining unchanged from last year, the shark tournament will use the same minimum length requirements as last year, which have been more conservative than federal minimums for a long time.  Click here to view a copy of last year’s rules.

NMFS is planning to address the dusky shark management measures in a separate action.  For more information regarding the news, visit the HMS website at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/.

All remaining 2012 short sleeve shirts have been drastically reduced for the holidays.  Long sleeve shirts sold out fast, so check them out while the selection is best.  Thank you for visiting the site and we wish you a safe and joyous holiday season!

Tournament directors have met and established the dates for the 2013 tournament.  The fishing dates are June 13 – 15, 2013; registration will be held June 12 and awards on Sunday June 16.  Some potential changes to the event are in the consideration phase.  One of the recent trends has been a decline in bluefish catch in mid-June and an earlier start to the tuna season.  To respond to these trends, tuna is being considered as a major payout category with first, second and third place cash awards.  Bluefish might be switched to an added entry level.  Details on these and any other changes will be available by the end of February.  Also, the tournament will host a booth at the Harbor Days event in West Ocean City with flyers and discounted shirts and sweatshirts, if you can make that event.  Hope to see you there!