The 2009 fishing season was a banner year for both Virginia Beach fishing and the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament resulting in almost 5,000 citation awards with 2,481 weight citations and 2,415 release citations! ** The tournament is free, open to anglers of all ages, and has a special category for youth.
If all eligible species are included, there were 4,896 total citations awarded this past year.
Species that led the 2009 tournament in highest numbers of citation awards:
|
Place |
Fish Species |
Weight Citations |
Release Citations |
|
#1 |
Speckled Trout |
554 |
202 |
|
#2 |
White Marlin |
0 |
751 |
|
#3 |
Striped Bass / Rockfish |
481 |
181 |
|
#4 |
Blueline Tilefish |
428 |
0 |
|
#5 |
Flounder |
347 |
16 |
|
#6 |
Cobia |
228 |
62 |
According to Lewis Gillingham, director of the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament, “We have awarded citation plaques to anglers from as far away as Hawaii, Alaska, and Europe. The plaques are highly prized, extremely handsome, and will create forever memories of your Virginia fishing adventure.”
Visitors to Virginia Beach in 2010 are invited to participate in the 53rd annual Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament. Wall plaques or paper citations (angler’s choice) are mailed every spring to recognize commendable catches from each prior year’s tournament.
To participate in the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament:
Acquire a valid Virginia fishing license. Exceptions: No license is needed if you are fishing on most piers, charter boats, or are under 16 years of age or older than 65. Licenses are readily available at tackle shops.
- Become familiar with qualifying weights and release lengths for eligible species.
- Take potential citation fish to a certified tournament weigh station such as a tackle shop or marina and fill out a citation form.
- New this year: Recreational saltwater anglers must register with a new National Saltwater Angling Registry begun by the federal government on January 1, 2010. Register on line or call 1-888-674-7411. The registry was created to track fish catches, fishing participation, and provide data to allow informed resource management decisions.
For those successful in catching multiple species citations, the Tournament offers tiered levels of angling recognition with the following designations:
- Master Angler – 6 levels
- Expert Angler
- Junior Angler – anglers 15 years of age or younger who catch and release 6 different saltwater species during the year receive an award certificate, baseball hat, and decal. The aim is to promote catch-and-release for the future. Most saltwater species qualify. To participate, young anglers only need fill out a Junior Angler Form on line and return it electronically to the tournament office.
Additionally, anglers should be aware of the annual Virginia Game Fish Tagging Program. This separate research program provides immediate rewards such as hats, shirts, and pins for anglers returning research tag information from certain fish such as flounder. Anyone catching a flounder should check carefully for an orange tag. An attractive t-shirt or cap could soon be joining your summer wardrobe!
If already planning a Virginia Beach vacation, be sure to take full advantage of all the fishing awards that the Virginia Marine Resources Commission ’s Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament has to offer. Whether you plan to fish from pier, surf, or boat, this tournament provides a wonderful way to enhance your Virginia Beach fishing experience.
Captain’s Note: Virginia Beach fishing updates will resume with the April 1st column.
** The total number of citations remains subject to slight upward adjustment as some weigh stations may not yet have reported all 2009 citations.
