Registration open for PAM tournament

Early registration is under way for the Port Aransas Masters Billfish Tournament.

The tournament, benefitting the Fred Rhodes Memorial Fund, is scheduled for June 26-29.

Eligible species are blue and white marlin, sailfish, wahoo, tuna and dolphin.

Tournament directors are promoting catch and release by introducing an all billfish release tournament.

Each billfish released is awarded points. Wahoo, tuna and dolphin must be weighed in for points.

The entry fee of $800 per boat is tax deductible. Proceeds are used for the youth of Port Aransas and South Texas.

The memorial fund, a nonprofit organization, provided substantial funding for the construction of the Fred Rhodes Memorial Pavilion at Roberts Point Park. More recent local recipients include Driscoll Children's Hospital and Trinity-by-the-Sea Day School.

The Fred Rhodes Memorial Fund will also donate $100 per boat entry to the M.L. Walker II Scholarship Fund.

Early registration checks, made out to the Fred Rhodes Memorial Fund, may be sent to P.O. Box 772, Port Aransas, TX 78373. Extra social tickets may be purchased for $30 each.

The registration fee includes six social tickets for all activities, t-shirts and caps.

The tournament will open Thursday, June 26, with a registration party from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Upper Deck at Trout Street Bar and Grill. Hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar will be available.

Fishing, including bait fishing, will begin Friday, June 27, at 6 a.m. Boats will be allowed to depart from their port of choice.

Fishing ends at 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 28.

The weigh station at Virginia's on the Bay will be open from 6 to 10 p.m. June 27, and the final weigh-in deadline is 6 p.m. June 28.

Brunch at the Upper Deck at Trout Street Bar and Grill will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 29, and awards will be presented starting at 11 a.m.

All entry fees must be collected by Thursday, June 26, at 7 p.m.

For more information, contact tournament directors Pete Fox, 749-4870, or Riley Rhodes, (361) 813-6550.