Stinky’s Bait Shack is hosting their Fall Pompano Beach to Bay Grand Slam Fishing Tournament October 1 – October 28, 2023. The tournament has a new name and some of the rules have changed. Most notable is pompano has been added to redfish, speckled trout, and flounder.
Registration starts September 15, 2023, at Stinky’s Bait Shack, 5960 W County Hwy. 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459. You can register in person, or by phone 850-622-2248 or online at www.StinkysBaitShop.com. Registration forms must be received 24 hours prior to weigh-in. Weigh-in begins at 8 am October 1 at Stinky’s Bait Shack. Anglers may weigh in fish 10 am – 6 pm daily through Saturday, October 28. Registration fees are non-refundable. Participants are required by law to abide Florida Wildlife Commission (FWC) fishing regulations. Note that flounder season ends Oct. 15.
Registration fee is $50. For complete rules and Calcutta offerings go here: https://tinyurl.com/46v5sbd9 and scroll to the bottom of the page.
By adding pompano and requiring one of the three fish to be speckled trout, the tournament originator hopes to garner more angler participation and assure the Choctawhatchee Bay remains a part of the fishing experience. The aggregate weight of three fish caught determines the winner. Anglers will be fishing for trout, redfish, flounder, and pompano.
“Our team works hard to host two of the most competitive annual fishing tournaments in Walton County. We are honored to facilitate events that highlight our precious natural resources. Both fall and spring tournaments are fun for all skill levels of anglers, but the unique length of our tournaments make them a challenge for professionals, and fishing enthusiasts alike,” said Chef Jim Richard, tournament originator and Stinky’s Fish Camp owner.
The purse for the annual tournament was over $4500 in cash and prizes in 2022. The tournament purse is a combination of sponsorships and donations. This year, the tournament purse is expected to exceed past prizes. “We could not do this without our sponsors. Year after year they return, and most of our sponsors choose to support both tournaments. Growing the tournament means we must grow the purse,” says Chef Jim Richard.