The 30th annual Big Bend Saltwater Classic will be held on June 15-16 at Shields Marina in St. Marks. You won’t want to miss this incredible celebration of skillful angling and the beauty and diversity of gulf marine life.
The 30th iteration of this event plans to be the best tournament yet
For 30 years now, locals and guests have been gathering on the shores of Wakulla County for one of the premier fishing tournaments in the region. The Big Bend Saltwater Classic is a treasured Father’s Day tradition, and this year you can expect the same exciting fishing action and lively entertainment that always makes for an incredible weekend.
The Big Bend Saltwater Classic draws a large crowd of angling enthusiasts of all skill levels, and the tournament is broken down into several different divisions so that everyone can get in on the action. Some of the popular species that will be included in the tournament include flounder, gag grouper, wahoo, red grouper, redfish, and cobia. There will be cash prizes awarded to the top performers in each category.
Junior anglers have their own division with prizes and trophies as well. Also, this is the first year that the tournament will feature a separate kayak division, with redfish, trout, and flounder as the target species.
Fish, dance, eat, drink, and play all weekend long
The fishing may be the main attraction at the Big Bend Saltwater Classic—and for good reason—but there are still plenty of other fun activities taking place over the tournament weekend. Everything gets started with the tournament kick-off party on Wednesday, June 13 at the Buffalo Wild Wings in Tallahassee. You can register there, or online at www.saltwaterclassic.com. “Lines in” starts at 5:30 a.m. on Friday morning. Weigh-in starts at 3 p.m. and continues until 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, weigh-in begins at 3:00 p.m. and continues until 5:00 p.m. There will be two weigh-in stations– one at Shields Marina in St. Marks and the other at The Moorings in Carrabelle. The awards presentation will take place at 7:00 p.m. where the skilled anglers will be announced.
Savor the great outdoors at this landmark Wakulla County event
In Wakulla County we’re proud to host the annual Big Bend Saltwater Classic. While you’re in town for the tournament, we want you to see more of the stunning beauty of our area, and take in some of the many natural activities that we have to offer, including horseback riding on the beach, hiking, and wildlife watching. Whether you choose to stay in one of the hotels, bed-and-breakfasts, or campgrounds here, you’ll be right in the heart of beautiful fishing spots and so much more.
