The Martha’s Vineyard Rod and Gun Club hosts its 30th annual Fly Rod Striped Bass Catch and Release tournament on Saturday, May 21 — wind, rain or moonshine.
The tournament has incorporated several changes to tournament rules this year and is being held earlier in the season to make it easier for off-Island participants to make ferry reservations and find accommodations.
“The fish are already showing up, and we expect more to follow,” Cooper Gilkes said.
Last year, recognizing concerns over catch-and-release mortality, the club modified the rules and changed the focus from high fish tallies to a fish quota — the first team to fill its quota wins. Plaques will be awarded based on each qualifying team’s team finish time.
There is also a twist.
“If I’m on fire, my fish can’t be applied to my team member’s quota,” Mr. Gilkes said. “He or she has to carry his or her own weight. That’ll add to the fun because team members who have filled their quota will be giving their slower team members the business.”
All prizes are handed out in a raffle.
The entry fee is $45, with registration taking place at the rod and gun club off Third street in Edgartown, from noon to 3 p.m. on May 21. Fishing runs from 7 p.m. that day to 2 a.m. May 22. There is breakfast and awards ceremony Sunday morning beginning at 8 a.m. at the rod and gun club.
For more information, visit mvrodandgun.org/catch-release-tournament, or contact Cooper Gilkes at 508-627-3909 or Nelson Sigelman at nelson.sigelman@gmail.com.
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