Tourney starting tomorrow honors legendary fisherman

Anglers will leave from ports all along the Texas coast to complete in an all-release billfish tournament that honors the late fishing legend, Bill Hart.

The Bill Hart Grand Slam Billfish Tournament, scheduled for Friday through Sunday, Aug. 17-19, honors Hart who has been described as a "true Texas billfisherman". Hart, who died in January, was a long-time fishing guide and resident of Port Aransas.

Registration will be from noon to 10 p.m. tomorrow, Friday, Aug. 17, upstairs at Virginia's on the Bay. The captain's meeting is scheduled for 5 pm. that night. Fee is $500 per boat.

Fishing will be Saturday, and an awards brunch will be held at noon

Sunday, also upstairs at Virginia's.

Proceeds will benefit the Bill Hart Endowed Scholarship that awards scholarships to Texas A&M University Kingsville for students whose fathers are incarcerated. The scholarship was created by a gift given from the late Curt Johnson and his wife on behalf of Get Reel Fish Catchers to honor Hart.

Anglers in the tournament may depart from any Texas port and must abide by all International Game Fishing Association (IGFA) rules. Video proof of the catch and release is required. All fish must be released on the fishing day. Deadline to turn in videos is 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, at Virginia's.

A grand slam is considered an IGFA release sailfish, white marlin and blue marlin, all in the same fishing day between the hours posted.

The winner of the tournament will be the boat with the most points accumulated during fishing hours. The registered person on the boat with the most grand slams will be awarded a 2007 F150 super crew cab Ford truck from Leif Johnson Ford in Austin, and a 23-foot Donzi from Texas Sportfishing Yacht Sales.

The tournament is sponsored by CC Big Game Club.

For more information, call (361) 548-5319.