The 27th annual Championship on the Chesapeake, the country’s largest rockfish tournament, concluded on May 4th with 580 boats and approximately 4,000 anglers participating in this year’s event. The Maryland Saltwater Sportfishermen’s Association (MSSA), the largest sport fishing group in the state hosted this event.
For three days, starting on April 30, anglers from all over the East Coast put their skills to the test as they experienced world class fishing on the Chesapeake Bay and competed for some significant cash prizes and the title of Champion.
This year’s champion in the amateur division is Kevin Howell of Edgewater, Maryland. Howell weighed in a 52.55 pound rockfish at the Rod N’ Reel docks in Chesapeake Beach just after noon on Friday. Howell said he caught it just south of the CR buoy in 55 feet of water using a 9 inch white shad off his planer board. Howell’s catch secured him first place in the overall tournament and first in three of the additional skill levels bringing his total earnings to $21,750.
This year’s Champion in the Professional and Charter Boat division went to Captain O’Brien who runs a charter boat, Semper Fidelis III, out of Chesapeake Beach, Maryland. Captain O’Brien weighed in a 35 pound rockfish taking home nearly $10,000.
The Catch and Release division was popular this year as anglers turned in their catch logs for a chance at some new fishing gear. The winner Sam Fisher Jr, who has won this portion of the tournament before, will receive $800 in fishing gear and merchandise from local tackle shops. Second through fifth place will also receive fishing gear for their efforts.
For more information and a complete list of tournament results please visit www.mssa.net.
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