It’s saltwater tourney time and that means it’s time to get out and catch that big one.

Maine’s bigger and better 2010 saltwater tournament season gets into full swing next week with the tradition-steeped 72nd Bailey Island and continues on into September.

Whether you are jigging mackerel from a dock, casting for stripers off the beach or heading offshore for a shot at sharks and giant bluefins, there’s a tournament for you.

Tourneys have something to offer for both participants and spectators, be it the chance to compete for great prizes, lots of money or just to see some really impressive fish. Here’s the schedule, contacts and websites for more information about a particular tournament:

• 72nd annual Bailey Island Fishing Tournament, July 26-31, Cook’s Lobster House, Bailey Island.

• 13th annual Sturdivant Island Tuna Tournament, Aug. 5-7, Spring Point Marina, South Portland. For more information: www.mainetuna.org.

• 6th annual Boothbay Region Fish and Game Association Saltwater Tournament, August 14-15, Boothbay Lobster Wharf, Boothbay Harbor. /boothbayregionfishandgame.com.

• 12th annual MDA & Agency 1 Sport Fishing Tournament, August 13-15. Spring Point Marina, South Portland. For more information: John Harmon, 883-5135, ext. 201

• 7th annual Downeast Maine Shark Tournament, Aug. 27-28, Camp Ellis Pier, Saco. For more information: Dr. Dave Johnson, 602-2403 or www.mainesharktournament.com

• 19th annual Casco Bay Striper Tournament, co-sponsored by the Yarmouth Boat Yard and the Yarmouth Rotary Club, Aug. 21-22, Yarmouth Boat Yard, Yarmouth. For more information: www.royalriver striper.com/

• 5th annual Casco Bay Classic Tournament, Sept. 10-11, Spring Point Marina, South Portland. For more information: www.cascobayclassic.org

As Maine’s saltwater fishing tournaments grow to meet the needs of today’s anglers, so does their philanthropic component. Many of these tourneys have and will continue to donate bucket loads of money to many worthwhile causes.

Some of these causes include but are not limited to the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association (Lou Gehrig disease), Muscular Dystrophy Association, United Way of York County, Maine Alzheimer’s Association, Rotary Club of Yarmouth, Southern Maine Community College, Washington County Community College, Northern Maine Community College, the Byron Gouzie Memorial Fund, the SMCC Pier Project and the Daniel Cardillo Memorial Scholarship.

 

• It is still not too late to enter or visit any of this year’s tourneys, so go for it and get the big one or see who did.

 

This saltwater report is by Bruce Joule, Maine Department of Marine Resources, P.O. Box 8, West Boothbay Harbor 04575. If you have information to report or have any questions please contact him at 633-9505 or e-mail:

bruce.joule@maine.gov