Mobile Big Game Fishing Club cancels tournament due to oil spill

Mobile Big Game Fishing Club cancels tournament due to oil spill

By Mobile Big Game Fishing Club

The Mobile Big Game Fishing Club regretfully announces the cancellation of the 2010 Memorial Day and Ladies Tournaments due to the oil spill at Deepwater Horizon. The MBGFC Board of Directors called a special meeting last night (Sunday, May 2, 2010) to look at options for the beginning of the 2010 tournament season in regard to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. At the conclusion of the meeting the Board of Directors under the leadership of President Bill Hixson agreed to cancel the 2010 Memorial Day Tournament and the 2010 Ladies Tournament. The remaining tournaments (Junior Angler, Limited and Labor Day) will be evaluated individually at a later date. The MBGFC will keep our club members, sponsors and tournament participants informed via our 'E-Blasts' and our website as we all hope for the best during this crisis.

NYSF to donate $10k towards sportfishing protection

The 28th Annual New York Sportfishing Federation (Federation) Forum & Auction eclipsed last year's attendance levels, as more than 1600 hardcore fishermen walked through the gate at the Freeport Recreation Center from February 12-14. According to the Federation Board of Directors, despite the down economy and a Valentine's Day conflict, the 'Freeport Show' was another big success, with proceeds raised from the show already contributed towards key initiatives to help safeguard the rights of New York sportfishermen. The Federation Board met earlier this month and unanimously approved plans to contribute $10,000 in 2010 towards key lobbying efforts on behalf of recreational fishermen throughout the New York marine district, which includes $5,000 dedicated to the United Boatmen (UBNY) for the ongoing lawsuit brought by the state of New York, UBNY, New York Fishing Tackle Trades Association (NYFTA) and the Fishermen's Conservation Association to force the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) into a more equitable allotment of New York's shares of the fluke fishery.

IGFA Observer Training Class

Virginia Beach’s Ocean’s East II tackle shop will be the site of the next IGFA Observer Training class (OTC) and will be presented on Saturday, March 20, 2010 at 9 a.m. The class instructs experienced anglers, boat captains and crew members as observers for fishing tournaments held across the globe. The IGFA OTC covers topics such as species identification, IGFA saltwater fishing rules and tackle regulations, safety at sea and boating etiquette.

Space is limited to 40 people and IGFA OTC applications are available online at http://www.igfa.org/PDF/COP_Application2008.pdf. Pre-registration is required and the $150 fee covers the cost of the training class, course materials, and a one-year membership in the IGFA. Please contact IGFA Conservation Director Jason Schratwieser at 954-924-4320 or email: jschratwieser@igfa.org for additional information.

2010 Billfish Expo a success

The 2010 Billfish Expo presented by www.RUMBUM.com was held February 13, 2010 at the Biscayne Marriott in Miami, Florida. With more than thirty experts covering every species of Billfish, not one of them held back any information! A special thanks to our host and all the speakers: Mark Sosin, Capt Dave Fields, Capt Ron Hamlin, Capt Ray Rosher, Capt Bouncer Smith, Capt Peter Wright, Professor Arthur Mariano, Raleigh Werking, Capt Bubba Carter, Paul Spencer, Rob Ruwitch, Capt Steve Lassley, Capt Peter Groesbeck, Capt Kevin Nakamura, Capt Gene Vander Hoek, Capt Mike Lemmon, Stephen Jenyns, Capt Matty Tambor, Capt Karl Anderson, Chris Fischer, Capt Jody Whitworth, Capt Brett McBride, Capt Richard Stanczyk and Capt Josh Brown. Other major sponsors present were Costa Del Mar Sunglasses, Shimano, Tropic Star Lodge, Smith-Merritt Insurance, Travelers, Marlin Magazine, Dockwise, Momoi, Diamond Fishing Products, Custom Rod & Reel, IGFA, TBF, Gray Taxidermy, Pompanette, American Custom Yachts and many others who offered financial support for the event.... more information from Marlin Magazine...

IGFA Guatemala Expedition: April 10-18, 2010

IGFA Guatemala Expedition Filling Up Fast:

April 10-18, 2010

Former IGFA President Michael Lerner recognized how little was known about the creatures in our oceans. The scientific world was convinced that life first began in the ocean depths, but almost nothing was known about marine flora and fauna. In 1936 Lerner embarked on a series of expeditions that would evolve into five years of unprecedented exploration and research. He began the expeditions in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, then in 1938 embarked on the Australia-New Zealand Expedition and finished the Expedition Series off in 1940 with the Peru-Chile Expedition. The International Game Fish Association was born from Lerner’s adventurous spirit. Lerner spanned the globe in search of great fishing and great knowledge. Joined in his quest by the likes of Ernest Hemingway, Kip Farrington, Alfred C. Glassell Jr. and Tommy Gifford, these early years of exploration were considered the golden years of fishing, exploration and science. Today, the golden years are back with the IGFA Expedition Series. The IGFA Expedition Series is your opportunity to fish together with some of today’s legends of the sport and explore some of the richest fishing locations in the world. The 2010 Expedition Series begins with fishing the world-famous Pacific sailfish run at Casa Vieja Lodge in Guatemala on the dates of April 10-18, 2010.

TBF's Annual Tag & Release Awards

You are invited to join the presentation of TBF's Annual Tag & Release Awards on Saturday, February 13, 2010 at the Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay. These prestigious awards recognize the Captains, Mates and Anglers (including Youth & Ladies) who have tagged and released the most of each billfish species in each of the world's three major oceans during the previous year.

8th annual FishStock

8th annual FishStock adds 5K and family fun run to its Memorial Day weekend festivities New Smyrna Beach, Fla. - FishStock - one of the largest fishing tournaments and festivals in the nation - announced today it will add a 5K race and family fun run to its long list of festivities in downtown New Smyrna Beach this Memorial Day weekend. The inaugural race will be held on Saturday, May 29, at Riverside Park. "The FishStock 5K and Family Fun Run is a great way to keep fit over the holiday weekend, and one of the many great activities we have in store at our event this year," said Drew Townes, director of sales and marketing for FishStock. "Run in the morning, enjoy the race expo in the afternoon and relax at the dockside party in the evening; it's a great way to spend the day." The course is a flat, fast and accurately timed race with ChampionChip timing. The 5K will begin at 8 a.m. at Riverside Park, run through downtown New Smyrna Beach and local neighborhoods, and continue along the Intracoastal Waterway before returning to the park to cross the finish line. Children 9 and under will start their fun run at 9 a.m. All registered 5K runners will receive an exclusive 2010 FishStock 5K and Family Fun Run T-shirt. While supplies last, every fifth entry for the 5K will win a free Zebco 33 combo rod and reel, so register now. To register for the FishStock 5K and Family Fun Run, visit www.fishstock5k.com.

The IGFA’s 2010 World Record Game Fishes annual

Coming in January: Fishing’s most valued reference book. It’s been described as “the most comprehensive piece of fishing information available anywhere,” a statement made often by serious fishermen and fishing writers alike. The IGFA’s 2010 World Record Game Fishes annual -- the reference book that’s a mainstay in recreational fishing -- continues its legacy as the most reliable and complete resource book of worldwide fishing records and a wide range of fishing-related reference materials. Plus it includes in-depth and entertaining features by top writers. IGFA members will begin receiving their 408 page edition in mid-January as one of the many benefits of joining the IGFA. The popular annual is the official guide to saltwater and freshwater catches for over 1100 species around the world in the all-tackle category and nearly 400 species in line class, fly, and junior angler record categories. To receive your copy of 2010 World Record Game Fishes, go to www.igfa.org and sign up to become a member of the IGFA today.

Stu Apte Fly Fishing Sailfish Tournament

5th Annual Stu Apte Fly Fishing Sailfish Tournament

The premier fly fishing sailfish tournament is headed back to Guatemala for a January date. Casa Vieja Lodge in Pto. San Jose is the host.
Last year's defending champion Tim & Pete Eshelman will be competing against all comers in this prestigious event.

Dates: Jan, 18 2010 to Jan, 24 2010

Location: Pto. San Jose Guatemala