PALMETTO -- The 27th annual Crosthwait Memorial Fishing Tournament will be hosted this weekend at the Bradenton Yacht Club (BYC). It is the longest running, completely amateur tournament and all amateur sports fishermen (male and female) are eligible to participate. This year's dates are Friday May 14 through Sunday May 16.
The event is open to the public all weekend, but most people come on Sunday afternoon to watch the weigh-in and attend the awards ceremony. After the awards, there will be a banquet where food and drinks will be available for purchase at the outside bar and the banquet tent set up by the BYC.
For participating anglers, there will be an entry fee of $295 for inshore and $350 for offshore. Entries will be accepted through May 12, at 5 pm, and will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
The tournament will be comprised of two separate divisions; inshore and offshore.
The tournament also has a junior division where teams compete against themselves, an under 16 division (entry fee of $100), and an under 19 division (entry fee $150). All junior divisions are restricted to inshore fishing only.
Eligible species are listed on the point schedule. The point system is based upon the type and size of the fish and will be used to determine the winning boat.
Each boat will be allowed to enter six fish for judging during the two-day event. Offshore boats will be limited to weighing in six fish per day. The six fish selected may not include more than two fish of any one species.
Eligible Slams:
Inshore: Snook, Redfish and Tarpon
Offshore Pelagic: Dolphin, Tuna and Wahoo
Offshore Reef/Wreck: Amberjack, Grouper and Snapper
All teams weighing in Snook, Trout or Redfish, must do so by submitting a photograph exhibiting the overall length of the fish. Each team will be allowed to submit only 10 pictures, total. One Tarpon, 36" or larger, shall be allowed via photograph per inshore boat, but must be released alive.
Dates for the inshore division are May 15 and May 16 at 7:30 a.m. Fishing must cease at noon on Sunday, May 16. All inshore boats must weigh in by 1:00 p.m.
Dates for the offshore division are May 14 through May 16. Offshore vessels may leave and begin fishing any time after the close of the Captains' meeting. Fishing must cease at 12:00 noon on Sunday, May 16. All offshore boats must weigh in by 3:00 p.m. that day.
All boats need to meet federal and Florida safety regulations for their size. The official tournament radio channel is 72 VHF, where all information will be broadcast.
2010 Schedule of Events:
Friday, May 14th 6:30pm Registration for the 27th Sam Crosthwait Fishing Tournament
7:30pm Captains meeting- after the meeting, all offshore boats
may leave and begin fishing.
8:15pm Awards Presentation
¥ Best Looking Crew presentation
¥ Awards for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place
¥ Live music will follow the awards
Saturday, May 15th
6:45am Check-in at the mouth of the Manatee River for start.
7:30am Bimini Start
7:30am Courtesy weigh-in at the Bradenton Yacht Club
Sunday, May 16th
7:00am Weigh-in opens at the Bradenton Yacht Club
12:00pm Fishing ends
1:00pm Junior Division and Inshore Division weigh-in closes
1:15pm Inshore Protest Deadline
3:00pm Offshore Division weigh-in closes
3:15pm Offshore Division Protest Deadline
3:00pm Banquet & Entertainment
5:00pm Award Presentation (Cash awards available on Tuesday May 18)
6:00pm Conclusion
The number of entries will be limited, and registration may be closed without further notice.
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