It’s that time of year again – when the lovebugs are swarming and the pass crabs are pissing vinegar. As matter of fact, since BP’s “spill” the crabs are even more upset than usual…so much so, we’d recommend wearing gloves when handling.
Last year was the 1st time the Angry Crab worked with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (F.W.R.I) to collect data for their Tarpon Genetic Recapture Study. It was such a great success, that the rules have been modified to make swabs mandatory – so step up your game as leader touches mean nothing!
From F.W.R.I. website:
The tarpon genetic recapture study gives anglers the opportunity to make a direct impact on state-of-the-art research. Anglers statewide can collect a DNA sample by removing a few skin cells from the outside of a tarpon’s jaw using an abrasive pad. Researchers catalog the DNA samples that identify each tarpon’s unique genetic “fingerprint.” Scientists compare new tarpon DNA samples with cataloged samples to determine if anyone previously caught and sampled the fish. Scientists also use this information to determine survival, health, migration and movement of tarpon in state waters.
The 3rd annual Angry Crab Tarpon Tournament will be held during the new moon in July, when the crab flush should be in full effect. Field is limited to 50 teams. Entry fee is $80 per team. Teams are limited to 4 people. Cash prize for the grand champion tarpon scrubber…WINNER TAKES ALL! Cash prize depends on # of entrants. Auction & raffle with benefit the Snook and Gamefish Foundation.
This year, you can also qualify to win an additional drawing by logging in your PRE TOURNAMENT FISHING trips on www.AnglerAction.org. Just select “Tournament – Angry Crab” as your affiliation, when you log in a pre-tournament fishing trip on www.angleraction.org. Your fishing trip targeting any of the reportable six species (Tarpon, Permit, Snook, Redfish, Trout, Bonefish) qualifies you for a special drawing at the Captain’s meeting.
Schedule: June 30 – July 3
Thursday, June 30: Captains Meeting 6:30 P.M. World of Beer St. Pete – Rules, Scrub rundown with FWRI rep, T-shirts, custom A.C. scrub kits passed out, raffle & auction begins.
Saturday, July 2: Lines in 7 A.M.
Sunday, July 3: Lines out 7 PM. Awards ceremony will be held at Billy’s Stone Crab (1 Collany Road Tierra Verde, FL 33715) at 7:30 P.M. Must bring swabs and pics of all released fish.
Official Rules
- Follow all FWC tarpon regulations.
- Each team must have a representative & team name at captains meeting.
- Each team must fish from a single boat. No shore fishing. No landlocked fish.
- All tarpon must be genetically scrubbed or smapled for DNA . DNA sampling kits will be passed out at the captains meeting.
- Each scrub is worth 1 point. Most points wins.
- The provided data slip must be filled out for each swab to count.
- In the event of a tie, the 1st team to arrive at the weigh-in wins.
- Every team must have a clear digital photo of each fish (in the water) with a crew member and that days newspaper. These pictures must be present at weigh-in ceremony with all swabs.
- If a fish is hooked prior to lines out, it will count if brought in after lines out. In such case, the tournament rep must be notified before lines out.
- There will be a 1 point penalty for every 15 minutes that your team is late past 7 PM. For example, if you show up at 7:31 and have 5 points, you’ll now have 3.
- Cute girls on board constitute more fishermen’s honor points.
OFFICIAL AC 2011 TRASH TALKING CHANNEL: 69 on your VHF