For those hoping to dust off their reels from the shed or for those who have been casting away all year long, the Bethany-Fenwick chamber of Commerce is once again hosting its Annual Spring Surf-fishing Tournament this Saturday, May 12, from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m.
More than $3,000 in prizes will be awarded, with $1,000 rewarding the angler who hooks the largest fish. A point system, based on the length of the fish will be carried out, with judges measuring throughout the day. A bonus point will be added for a clean release, as determined by the judge.
For the entrant with the most points, they will be rewarded $750, with $500 for second, $350 for third and $150 for fourth. Additional prizes will be awarded based on points as well.
Separate prizes will be presented to the little fishermen, in both a 9-year-old-and-under age group and a 10- to 14-year-old age group. Those prizes include surf rods, spinning rods and tackle boxes.
The competition will be held in designated fishing locations along the shore, stretching from the north end of the Indian River Inlet to the south side of Fenwick Island. Prizes will be awarded at Chamber headquarters that Saturday at 5:30 p.m.
“There always seems to be a pretty nice turnout,” said Chamber Events Manager Amy Tingle. “The weather should hold up, too.” The Chamber canceled this past fall’s rain-or-shine event as weather simply did not cooperate, but the weather forecast was looking better for this weekend..
Entrants can expect to bait their hooks for an assortment of fish.
“Kingfish and ling seem to be the popular catches at our springtime tournament,” Tingle added. “Though we’ve heard that bluefish have been biting, coming up form Maryland, too. We’ll have to wait and see what the wind blows up our way.”
While the pre-registration deadline ended Monday, May 7, entrants can still register up until the morning of the event at the Chamber Visitor Center office, located on Route 1, just north of the Fenwick State Park. Doors will be open for registration and check-in from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday, May 11, and from 6 a.m. until 7 a.m. on Saturday, May 12. The fees are $30 for individuals and $40 for families.
Maps will be available outlining appropriate walk-on and drive-on locations.
“There will be a lot of cash, a lot of prizes and a lot of fun,” said Tingle.
For a registration form, visit the Visitor Center or go to the Chamber’s Web site at www.bethany-fenwick.org/fish07.htm. For more information, call the Chamber at (302) 539-2100.