Fishing tournament includes spearfishing, hook and line

The Emerald Coast Reef Association is hosting its first lionfish tournament in Destin on July 14, 2012. ECRA is also hosting a workshop on this invasive species on July 6, 2012.

Workshop:
The Emerald Coast Reef Association is hosting a lionfish workshop on July 6, 2012 at Northwest Florida State College in Niceville. The workshop will be held at 6 p.m. at the Student Services Center, Room 302.

The workshop will host expert lionfish hunter Scott Bartel who will explain hunting and filet techniques. Bill Horn from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will present information on why the lionfish is a threat to our native fish species.

Fishing Tournament:
The Lionfish Round-up and Spearfishing/Fishing tournament will be held July 14, 2012 at Harbor Walk Marina. For More details visit www.ecreef.org

The Spearfishing Categories are: Lionfish & Grouper. $30/person, min 2 per boat. Everyone that brings in a lionfish wins. Three heaviest grouper (red or gag) wins.

Hook and line division includes inshore fishing for redfish – $80 per boat, max 4 anglers; and offshore for grouper – $100 per boat, max 4 anglers. All anglers must register.

Registration locations are: Half Hitch Tackle, Destin, Discovery Dive World, Valpariaso, or online with Paypal at www.ecreef.org

Click here to learn more about the invasive lionfish.

About Emerald Coast Reef Association:
ECRA mission is to improve the fishery in the Gulf of Mexico by providing habitat and evaluating the effectiveness of Artificial Reefs.