The second annual CCA Blue Catfish Tournament will be held on April 2 from 6 a.m. to noon at Marbury's Smallwood State Park. The tournament is conducted by the Central Region Chapter of the Coastal Conservation Association Maryland. The $5000 prize will be awarded if an angler catches a new Maryland state record catfish.
The current state record fish is 84 pounds, 12 ounces and was caught on August 13, 2012. If a new state record cat is caught, Bass Pro Shops will feature it in the aquarium at its Arundel Mills store.
The tournament will include four categories: boat with up to four anglers, kayak, shoreline, and junior-youth for anglers 16 and under. Winners will be determined based on the heaviest three-fish stringer with cash prizes available up to $500, Costa sunglasses, fishing rods, and an Engle Cooler.
“This is a great opportunity for anglers to have a fun-filled day of fishing while developing a better understanding of the Blue Catfish in the Potomac,” said J.R. Whitsell, tournament director. “As it is an invasive species, we are still trying to understand the impact the Blue Cat is having on our habitat and to other marine life. At the same time, the fishery has developed into a world-class destination for anglers with positive economic benefits for the region.”
Participants can either keep their fish, donate those under 30 inches to the post tournament fish fry, or give fish more than 30 inches to Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources for continued toxicology research.
Executive Chef Chad Wells of Baltimore’s Alewife Restaurant will prepare the catfish for a post-tournament cookout at Smallwood State Park to feature their excellent food value as a white, firm, delicately flavored meat. All participants are invited to the cookout.
$35 for kayak and shore angler, $100 for boat. After March 27, prices increase to $40 and $120 respectively. Click to ccamd.org for tournament rules and registration.
Friday, March 18, 2016 - 12:00
The second annual CCA Blue Catfish Tournament will be held on April 2 from 6 a.m. to noon at Marbury's Smallwood State Park. The tournament is conducted by the Central Region Chapter of the Coastal Conservation Association Maryland. The $5000 prize will be awarded if an angler catches a new Maryland state record catfish.
The current state record fish is 84 pounds, 12 ounces and was caught on August 13, 2012. If a new state record cat is caught, Bass Pro Shops will feature it in the aquarium at its Arundel Mills store.
The tournament will include four categories: boat with up to four anglers, kayak, shoreline, and junior-youth for anglers 16 and under. Winners will be determined based on the heaviest three-fish stringer with cash prizes available up to $500, Costa sunglasses, fishing rods, and an Engle Cooler.
“This is a great opportunity for anglers to have a fun-filled day of fishing while developing a better understanding of the Blue Catfish in the Potomac,” said J.R. Whitsell, tournament director. “As it is an invasive species, we are still trying to understand the impact the Blue Cat is having on our habitat and to other marine life. At the same time, the fishery has developed into a world-class destination for anglers with positive economic benefits for the region.”
Participants can either keep their fish, donate those under 30 inches to the post tournament fish fry, or give fish more than 30 inches to Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources for continued toxicology research.
Executive Chef Chad Wells of Baltimore’s Alewife Restaurant will prepare the catfish for a post-tournament cookout at Smallwood State Park to feature their excellent food value as a white, firm, delicately flavored meat. All participants are invited to the cookout.
$35 for kayak and shore angler, $100 for boat. After March 27, prices increase to $40 and $120 respectively. Click to ccamd.org for tournament rules and registration.