Anglers to hunt for big billfish, payouts

Billfish Pachanga

The docks at Virginia’s on the Bay will be busy when offshore anglers try to cash in on some big payouts at the third annual Billfish Pachanga.

The catch-and-release-only billfish tournament, hosted by Virginia’s on the Bay, is set for Wednesday through Saturday, July 13 through 16.

The three-day tournament, with fishing restricted to a 100-nautical-mile fence from the tip of the south jetty, is limited to 40 boat entries.

The tournament has a $3,000-per-boat registration fee. Sign-up information can be found at the tournament website, www.billfishpachanga.com/. Additional wristbands may be purchased for $150 each. Kids 12 and under are free.

Registration includes six entries, six tournament bags, dinner and party on Wednesday and dinner and awards on Saturday. Additional wristbands may be purchased for $150 each.

Target billfish are blue marlin, white marlin and sailfish. All fish in those divisions will be released. Target “meat fish,” which may be brought to the dock for weigh-in, are dorado (dolphin), wahoo and tuna.

Check-in and registration will be held on Wednesday beginning at 5 p.m. under a big tent at Virginia’s on the Bay, 815 Trout St. Participants are invited for cocktails and dinner at Virginia’s after registering.

Boats may leave through the jetties with a shotgun start on Thursday at noon. Fishing may begin as soon as the jetties are cleared.

All boats must be inside the Dennis Dreyer Municipal Harbor jetties for weigh-in at Virginia’s and video review by 3 p.m. on Saturday. Live music, dinner and awards will follow, beginning at 6 p.m.

Texas country music entertainers Wade Bowen and Randy Rogers will perform at a special concert for tournament participants on Saturday night at Virginia’s on the Bay, tournament headquarters.

A Piggy Perch Pachanga is scheduled on Saturday for kids up to 12 years old on the docks beside Virginia’s On the Bay. The Piggy Perch Pachanga, for tournament participants’ kids, is set for 10 to 11 a.m., with lunch following the contest. Tournament organizers will furnish the bait and some tackle, but participants must provide their own rods and reels.

For more information and complete rules, go to the website previously listed.

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