Young Anglers Inshore Fishing Tournament at John's Pass Village

Contact: Emily Stehle, APR
Office: (727) 803-9799, ext. 207
Cell: (727) 688-7993
estehle@pieraquarium.org
www.pieraquarium.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

16TH ANNUAL YOUNG ANGLERS INSHORE FISHING TOURNAMENT AT HUBBARD'S MARINA 
Tournament benefits Secrets of the Sea Marine Exploration Center and Aquarium

St. Petersburg, FL (April 30, 2012) - John's Pass Village and Secrets of the Sea Marine Exploration Center and Aquarium present the 16th Annual Young Anglers Inshore Fishing Tournament on the boardwalk Saturday, May 26.

Fishing time is from 7am-2pm with weigh-in at noon-2pm. The awards party is scheduled at 2:30pm, rain or shine. Family and friends are also invited to participate in other activities such as face painting and kids' games. 

Tournament sponsors are: Hubbard's Marina, Friendly Fisherman Restaurant, Overhead Surf Shop, Windworks, City of Madeira Beach, John's Pass Village Association, Kiwanis Gulf Beaches, iPrint, Rotary Club of the Gulf Beaches, Madeira Beach Fundamental, DOA and Mirror Lure. The tournament will benefit Madeira Beach Fundamental School, John's Pass Village Association and Secrets of the Sea Marine Exploration Center and Aquarium.

Entry fees per angler: $15 for children 5 years and younger, $25 for those 6-15 years old. Registration can be made at Hubbard's Marina, 170 John's Pass Boardwalk W, Madeira Beach or on-line with a credit card: www.pieraquarium.org/2012younganglers.

All registered anglers will receive a tournament T-shirt, bait bucket with shrimp, a goody bag, prize ticket and lunch (hot dogs, chips and soda).  Walk-ups will also be accepted the day of the tournament and will be given goody bags if still available.

Winners from each age group (Ages 5 and under, Ages 6-20 and Ages 11-15) will be announced in 4-5 categories and will receive a rod and reel combo, trophy and prizes. 

Rules and Regulations

1. All young anglers must be registered with their signature and parent’s signature for waiver. 
2. All youths must be accompanied by an adult.
3. Anglers must be no older than 15 years by 5/26/2012.
4. They must fish anywhere LEGAL.
5. All fish must be caught by HOOKS & LINE.
6. NO nets or traps allowed.
7. NO rotten or mutilated fish.
8. All fish MUST BE LEGAL SIZE per current fishing regulations.
9. NO out of season fish.
10. Anglers will be awarded only prize.
11. Extraordinary Catch must be brought into the dock ALIVE and in a bucket.
12. All fish will be judged by weight.
13. All fish must be weighed in by 2pm on Hub’s Deck behind the Friendly Fisherman Restaurant.
14. If no species is brought in for a specific category, the prize will be given away via prize ticket.

Hubbard’s Marina urges the live release of all fish needed for the tournament and anglers to exercise caution while releasing Catfish! For more information, contact Hubbard's Marina, (727) 393-1947.

About the Secrets of the Sea Marine Exploration Center and Aquarium
This new project of The Pier Aquarium is a 12,500 sq. ft. marine science center on two levels of the John’s Pass Village shopping complex in Madeira Beach and will open in Spring 2013. The site is adjacent to Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. and Hooters restaurants. 

The state-of-the-art marine attraction and interactive visitor experience is designed to make marine science accessible and understandable to people who benefit from it every day, often without even knowing it. Much of the technology that will be featured at Secrets of the Sea has been or is being developed by the St. Petersburg Ocean Team, a consortium of 14 marine science-related groups including national, state, regional and local governmental agencies, environmental organizations, R&D businesses, educational institutions and The Pier Aquarium. 

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