Tuna Classic starts today (July 18th)
The 2009 Oregon Tuna Classic kicked off in Newport today. The tournaments that take place after Newport are: Ilwaco, Wash. on Aug. 1; Charleston on Aug. 15; and Garibaldi on Aug. 29. With the great tuna fishing going on now, this tournament could be one for the records.
The Tuna Classic is a premier fishing event that draws participants from all over the West Coast. All tuna caught in the tournament are donated to the Oregon Food Bank, as well as a major share of the proceeds. This event is probably the best opportunity to learn from some of the top fishermen on the coast.
Events like the Tuna Classic are important to our local economy. The tournament prizes are: heaviest five fish, $3,000; second heaviest five fish, $2,000; and third heaviest five fish, $1,000. They also will have a largest fish jackpot and a largest pelagic jackpot along with a $25,000 mystery weight drawing. Pre-registration is required. For more information, go to wwworegontunaclassic.org.
Our recreational tuna fishing is absolutely some of the best we’ve had in years. Now is the time to take advantage of this great opportunity. We all have experienced how the winds have affected our oceans, so when you’re traveling out to the tuna grounds, please check the weather and be very careful. I would strongly suggest never tuna fishing alone and using the buddy system. Because, when you’re that far out, the closest ground to you is the bottom of the ocean.
by Richard DeChambeau
