Shark Tournament, Fishing Club, Fishing Tournament

One of the oldest and largest shark fishing tournaments on Long Island will mark its 40th year when hundreds of boats head for the Jones Inlet at 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 16^th, 2012, in pursuit of a prize-winning fish. Purses depend upon the number of entries, but in previous years up over $180,000 in prize money and gifts have been awarded.

The tournament, sponsored by the Freeport Hudson Anglers fishing club, typically attracts several hundred entrants. Entry fees are $300 per boat if registered prior to June 1 and $350 per boat after June 1. About half of all entry fees will be returned as prize money.

The purpose of the event is to encourage and promote rod and reel angling, good sportsmanship and fair competition. In addition, a “tagging” competition will promote the conservation of immature sharks.

The following rules will apply:

• All sharks must be caught on rod and reel from the boat entered in the contest.
• All sharks must weigh 150 lbs or more with the exception of Blue sharks, which must weigh 200 lbs or more.
• One shark per boat will be eligible for prizes.
• All prize-winning fish become the property of the Freeport Hudson Anglers Shark Tournament.

The Tournament also will feature a shark tagging competition. Any Freeport Hudson Anglers recognized species of shark, of any weight, tagged with an official National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shark tag is eligible. Six percent of the total Tournament prize money will be allotted to the tagging competition.

A mandatory captain’s meeting will kick off the Freeport Hudson Anglers Shark Tournament at 7:00 p.m. on Friday evening, June 15^th, at the Town of Hempstead Guy Lombardo Marina in Freeport, NY. The Tournament will begin at 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 16^th and end at 6:00 p.m. Weigh-ins will be at the Guy Lombardo Marina. The five heaviest sharks, regardless of species, will be declared the winners.

The Freeport Hudson Anglers request that all weighed-in fish be donated for distribution to charitable organizations. Freeport Hudson Anglers members will clean, bag and distribute the meat.

For complete rules and a Tournament application please visit www.freeporthudsonanglers.com or call Dave gross, Tournament Director at 516-378-5181.

Next year's tournament date is 
Saturday June 16, 2012