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42 Years of Reeling in Champions: The Greatest Bluefish Tournament on Earth is Back
WICC Surfside Hotel Greatest Bluefish Tournament on Earth Add New Prize Categories for Young Anglers and Inaugural 5K
The WICC Surfside Hotel Greatest Bluefish Tournament on Earth will kick off at 12:01am on Saturday August 24th throughout Long Island Sound. With a grand prize of $25,000 for the largest fish, recreational fishers and angling experts are gearing up to cast their lines.
The annual Tournament offers anglers over $40,000 in cash prizes. The grand prize of $25,000 goes to the heaviest bluefish, 2nd place takes home $7,500 and 3rd place gets $2,500. In addition, there are cash prizes for 4th through 20th place. Plus, a ‘port prize’ for the heaviest fish caught at each participating weigh-in station in Connecticut and New York.
Exciting updates for young anglers! For the second year there is a $1,000 cash prize for the biggest fish caught by an angler under eighteen. This year, the bluefish tournament is recognizing the surge of young fishing enthusiasts by also introducing $100 gift card prizes for the 2nd and 3rd place winners in the under eighteen categories.
Robert Christoph, Jr., President of RCI Group and the Bridgeport Harbor Marina, is a partner of the tournament and offered, “Getting young people involved in the tournament and fishing not only lets them enjoy the sport but also connects them with our waters. Inspiring the next generation to care about the environment keeps the spirit of fishing and water recreation alive.”
New this year, and a way to participate in the tournament on land - WICC and The Surfside Hotel are excited to kick off the inaugural Blues Are Running 5K, a Twilight Race on Tuesday, August 20th, benefiting SoundWaters. Hosted by WICC, The Surfside Hotel, and Little Pub in Stratford's Lordship section, the 5K course offers fantastic views of Long Island Sound, and the event includes a festive evening of running, raffles, food, and drinks. Early registration encouraged to guarantee a spot and a race t-shirt. Click here for more information and to register.
Limited to 250 participants, the 5K race encourages all abilities to join and offers awards for the top three male and female finishers. Post-race festivities include a raffle featuring a hotel stay at Surfside and tickets to a Wednesday night clambake. Proceeds from the 5K will support SoundWaters, an organization that educates and inspires children from all backgrounds to understand, value and protect Long Island Sound. With purposeful hands-on activities, students become lifelong stewards committed to safeguarding the environment of the Sound for future generations.
With the increasing popularity of fishing and the Tournament all partners are excited to return for the 42nd year that features new activities and new prize categories for younger enthusiasts. Anglers can register in person at any one of the partner Bait and Tackle registration stations around the sound in CT and NY or online at bluefishtournament.com.
BlueFish Tournament Partner Registration locations:
Connecticut: All American Bait & Tackle Norwalk, AW Marina New London, Black Hall Outfitters Westbrook, Black Rock Bait and Tackle Bridgeport, Bobby J’s Milford, Branford Bait and Tackle, Dee’s Bait & Tackle New Haven, Fin’s Bait & Tackle Clinton, Fisherman’s Paradise Milford, Fisherman’s World East Norwalk, Fishin Factory Milldale, Hillyers Tackle Shop Waterford, Sportman’s Den Cos Cob, and Ted’s Bait & Tackle Old Saybrook.
New York: Blue Water Ventures Peconic, Cow Harbor Bait & Tackle Northport, Duffy’s Bait & Tackle Glenwood Landing, East Coast Fishing Supplies Little Neck, Jack’s Bait & Tackle City Island, Miller Place Bait & Tackle Miller Place, and Tyalure Tackle Rye.
WICC600am will broadcast hourly updated results throughout the weekend long tournament. Find the most up to date information at bluefishtournament.com or facebook.com/bluefishtournament.
Deadline to register for the Tournament is Friday, August 23rd at 11:59pm. Registration is $36 and required to participate. The Tournament begins Saturday, August 24th at 12:01am and ends Sunday, August 25th at 5pm.
The 42nd Annual Bluefish Partners include: WICC, The Surfside Hotel, Minchin GMC, Bridgeport Harbor Marina, Water Dr., Ring’s End, Little Pub, Connecticut Boating Certificates, and The Fisherman. Tournament inquiries may be sent to info@bluefishtournament.com.
