This weekend will reel in some of the area’s most devoted anglers for a pair of two-day fishing tournaments. September 8 and 9 brings the 5th Annual Nantucket Bluefin Tuna Tournament, a competition focused solely on fun. The guests of honor, bluefin tuna, are some of the most sought after game fish in the world. The waters surrounding Nantucket and Cape Cod used to be full of these giants, but the past decade’s depletion of bait and changes in water temperature prompted the fish to move to other waters. Their depletion has led anglers to enjoy catch and release when fishing for bluefin. Anglers are invited to join in a great weekend of fishing, sharing stories, and enjoying the beauty of Nantucket Island. The entry fee (which must be paid in cash this late in the game) is $1,050 per team of four anglers. Add as many angler buddies as you can for another $125 per buddy. The first place prize is $4,000, so if you and your fishing friends have what it takes to win, you might make your entry money back several times over! For registration information, call Jonas Baker at 508-325-9906 or visit bluefinnantucket.com.
September 10 and 11 will bring two days of combining of fun and charity in the Nantucket Slam to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. This unique tournament, with the catchphrase “Catch the Cure for Cystic Fibrosis,” invites recreational and avid anglers with or without their own boats to join in two days of competitive fishing for bluefish, striper, bonito and albie. To accommodate various boat sizes and styles of fishing, three categories of competition are offered: Fly, Spin/Plug and Trolling. This, too, is a catch and release tournament, and each boat will consist of two to six anglers. Prizes will be awarded for the largest and most fish per species as well as Division champion, First Runner Up and Grand Champion. The cost per angler is $2,500 and is $5,000 for a full team. In the spirit of giving, Nantucket Slam captains and anglers are being offered special room rates at the Wharf Cottages, The White Elephant, and the Jared Coffin House. Additionally, the Boat Basin has arranged for all participating boats to enjoy complimentary dockage on Tuesday night. For registration or details regarding special rate accommodations and dockage, contact Karen Kelly at 800- 966-0444 or visit mass-ri.cff.org.
