fishstock dolphin
The first day of competition in the two-day New Smyrna Beach Striker Tournament wrapped up yesterday with some of the best dolphin catches the 38-year-old tournament has seen in several years.
Weather and sea conditions for the first day were rougher in the morning than forecast, but for many of the teams participating, lumpy seas made for a productive morning bite.
In total, the 185 anglers fishing on 35 boats put 54 qualifying (15-pound minimum) fish on the board, including 43 dolphin, 8 kingfish, 1 tuna and 2 wahoo.
Current Striker Tournament unofficial standings, heading into Day 2:
Team Marine Specialties leads the Overall Boat Award category with 290 points, for a blackfin tuna and a two wahoo, one of which weighed 44.9 pounds. In second place, Team Tegamareeb, scored 100 points for a single fish, a 50-pound dolphin.
Boston Whaler sits in third place with 95 points for 2 dolphin, the largest a 43.4-pounder; and Sea Genie sits in fourth place with 65 points for 2 kingfish, the largest weighing in at 28.5 pounds.
Daily Jackpot winnings for the heaviest fish, paying $385 each, go to Team Marine Specialties for a 17.7-pound blackfin tuna and a 44.9-pound wahoo; Team_ Tegemareeb_ for a 50-pound dolphin; and Team Sea Genie with a 28.5-pound kingfish.
The two-day New Smyrna Beach Redfish-Trout Challenge starts today as 86 teams take to the inshore waters of Volusia County and the Mosquito Lagoon, competing for $15,000 in cash and prizes.
The live weigh-in begins at 1:00 p.m. and runs until 4:00 p.m., followed by final day weigh-in for the Striker Tournament. Both events are open to the public, at the Brannon Center at Riverside Park, in New Smyrna Beach, Florida.
Daylong FishStock 2014 events offer vendors, food, drink and family activities starting at 10:00 a.m. and continue tomorrow from 10:00 to 6:00 p.m.
