27th Annual MSSA Spring Rockfish Tournament

The Maryland Saltwater Sportfishermen’s Association (MSSA) has announced its 27th Annual Spring Tournament, "Championship on the Chesapeake", April 30th - May 2nd, 2010. The event is said to be the largest spring rockfish tournament in the country.

"Trophy Season" is marked by the first weekend in May as the coastal stock of striped bass make their way through the Chesapeake Bay to the Atlantic after spawning in our rivers. With the "Trophy Season" just starting, this tournament is guaranteed to provide three days of fun and excitement on the Bay, as over 650 boats and nearly 4,000 anglers get an opportunity to catch one of these magnificent beauties. The winning fish could be worth $100,000!

All cash and merchandise prizes are for rockfish. The heaviest rockfish on the scales shall be declared the winner of the main tournament. In addition to all main tournament prizes there will be several "Tournament within Tournament" (TWTs) to compete in.

It is important to note that participants should enter in all of the "Tournament within Tournament" (TWTs) to have a chance at the huge cash prize for heaviest rockfish. While this may require more money to enter, this will give anglers a shot at a huge sum of money.

The Spring Tournament is an amateur tournament; however, there is a Professional Division with separate cash prizes and awards. All monies collected from the "Professional Division’s" will be deposited in a special account for their cash prizes. The amateur participants will not have to compete against the Pros.

As the MSSA continues to fight for better fishing in the Bay and elsewhere, the organization asks that participants practice conservation and take part in the "Catch and Release Division" as well. The association asks anglers to release sub-legal rockfish and fish over the daily creel as carefully as possible.

This event is the principle source of revenue for the MSSA. The proceeds from the tournament enable the MSSA to conduct many activities and enhance recreational fishing opportunities for Maryland. The MSSA has been recognized as the "Official Voice of Maryland Recreational Anglers."

For more information, visit: http://www.mssa.net/championship.html