GATE Jacksonville Fishing Rodeo

Fresh and saltwater anglers of all types are encouraged to save the date for the Third Annual GATE Jacksonville Fishing Rodeo benefitting The St. Johns River Alliance scheduled for Thursday, June 7 to Sunday, June 10 at Metropolitan Park, 1410 Gator Bowl Blvd.

Registration and Fees:
Promoted by GATE Petroleum Company and the Southern Kingfish Association, registration for this exciting tournament begins Monday, May 14 and runs through Thursday, June 7 at select GATE convenience stores throughout Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia (Store locations: www.jacksonvillerodeo.com/rodeo/tickets) and Strike Zone Fishing, 11702 Beach Blvd. Registration will also be available at the tournament site Thursday, June 7.

The general tournament entry fee is $40 (plus tax) per angler. Jackpot tickets are $375 per boat ((king fish) plus tax)) and $175 per boat ((redfish) plus tax) plus the general angler fee.

Species:
This family-friendly event will offer participants the chance to fish for a total of 18 different offshore and inshore saltwater species*, as well as freshwater species*.
- Freshwater species
Catfish, bream, speckled perch and largemouth bass
- Inshore saltwater species:
Flounder, sheepshead, redfish, trout and whiting
- Offshore saltwater species:
Barracuda, grouper, king mackerel, menhaden, vermilion snapper, mangrove snapper, dolphin, pompano and cobia
All species of fish must conform to local, state and federal regulation size limitations. Redfish must conform to the slot limit.

Tournament Boundaries:
For offshore and inshore saltwater fishing, there will be an east-west boundary from the Savannah River (North) 32N 01′ 60″ and an east-west boundary (South) 28N 24′ 32″ from Canaveral. All freshwater species must be caught in the St. Johns River and/or its tributaries. What’s more, so long as the dock or shoreline is within the boundaries, pier and surf fisherman are also encouraged to participate along with boat and kayak participants.

Contestants are able to bring fish to the scales via car, truck or boat for general entry catch. Both jackpots must be brought in by boat.

Prizes and Payout:
Prizes will be awarded in the following three categories by species:
- Largest fish: $1,000
- Second largest: $500
- Third largest: $200

Plus, there’s a $250 daily prize for the biggest fish in each species Friday and Saturday. Tournament participants also will be eligible for two different jackpot divisions, which include redfish and king mackerel. Additionally, anglers may weigh any one of the species and their name goes into the drawing for three grand prizes. First grand prize includes a 21-foot Contender Boat, Mercury Outboard, sitting on a custom aluminum Loadmaster Trailer ($50,000 value). Second prize includes a JV13 Carolina Skiff with a Honda Outboard and Majic Tilt trailer presented by First Coast St. Augustine Boat and Marine ($12,000 value). The third drawing is a 15-horsepower Mercury Outboard presented by Hickory Bluff Marine in Waverly, Ga.

Tournament Schedule of Events:
Thursday, June 7
2-8 p.m. On-site registration
2-8 p.m. Boat show, vendors, food and drinks
7:30 p.m. Mandatory Captains’ Meeting
9 p.m. Park closed

Friday, June 8
6 a.m. Fishing begins
9 a.m. Tournament site at Metropolitan Park opens
10 a.m. Scales open
11 a.m.-6 p.m. Boat show, vendors, food and drinks
7 p.m. Scales close

Saturday, June 9
9-11 a.m. “Hook Kids on Fishing” event (see below)
10 a.m. Scales open
11 a.m.-6 p.m. Boat show, vendors, food and drinks
4 p.m. All freshwater weigh-ins
5 p.m. Redfish jackpots (last weigh-in)
6 p.m. King mackerel jackpots
7 p.m. Scales close

Sunday, June 10
10 a.m. Scales open
11 a.m.-6 p.m. Boat show, vendors, food and drinks
Noon All freshwater weigh-ins
1 p.m. All king mackerel, inshore and offshore weigh-ins
2-5 p.m. LIVE entertainment- The Evans Brothers Band
5 p.m. Awards, raffles and grand prize drawings (must be present to win)