by Jacob Fuller
It’s that time of year again, when the Mississippi Gulf Coast Big Game Fishing Club hosts the annual Jeff Alexander Memorial Tournament.
Anglers of all ages will gather at the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum Schooner Pier in Biloxi, Miss. this June 14 and 15 for a two-day battle of the boats to see who can bring in the best load of tuna, dolphin, wahoo and billfish.
The annual Jeff Alexander Memorial Tournament is the product of some of the Mississippi gulf coast’s finest traditions: big game fishing, southern hospitality and friendly competition.
It was the love of all three of those traditions that brought six gulf coast residents – John Lambeth, Dany Pitalo, Jimmy Taylor, Frank Rosskoph, John Ellis and Gail Culp – together more than 20 years ago to bring the excitement and joy of the New Orleans Big Game Fishing Club to Mississippi anglers. Just a few years later, MGCBGFC was hosting its first tournament.
The founding members agreed to have a bigger purpose than just fun on the water with a rod and reel, though. Not only does MGCBGFC promote the sport of big game fishing, they also strive to be a beacon for conservation of marine life in the Gulf of Mexico. To assure that goal, the group works closely with The Billfish Foundation and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association Fisheries to promote big game fishing as a source of scientific data and research. As a result, the data collection of MGCBGFC, made possible through the group’s catch, tag and release policy, has become essential to the survival of all maritime species in the Gulf of Mexico.
“We are proud of the fact that from our inception over two decades ago, our organization has a 100-percent tag and release record for all billfish,” said Jimmy Taylor, founding member and tournament chairman for MGCBGFC.
Regular membership to the group is $125 per year, junior membership is $75 and youth membership is just $25.
““We are a group of people that share a common passion for bluewater fishing,” board member and tournament weigh master Shayne Maplass said. “Our membership is actually a great value. For $125.00 you and your significant other can enjoy our 8 events we hold throughout the year. Always great food, drinks and a free-flowing social environment that lends itself to networking of all types.”
Tournament organizers will award first, second and third place for team and individuals in tuna, billfish, dolphin and wahoo at the weigh-in.
The winning team will get the opportunity to compete at the 2014 Offshore World Championship. The 2013 tournament was held off the shores of Quepos and Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica.
Captains will gather at the pier Wednesday, June 12 for a mandatory captains’ meeting for the Jeff Alexander Memorial Tournament. The tournament begins June 14 with lines-in at 12:01 and lines-out at 6 p.m. The weigh-in will take place at the pier June 16. Boats must be at the pier by 2 p.m. for weigh-in.
International Game Fish Association rules will govern the tournament. Like all MGCBGFC events, catch and release rules apply. Line class rules also apply. Weigh-in will measure tuna, dolphin, billfish and wahoo catches.
Tournament organizers are allowing open fishermen and boats with outboard motors to enter and compete in the tournament.
Entry cost is $600 for four anglers and $75 for each additional angler. MGCBGFC will provide food and drinks at the captains’ meeting and weigh-in. All boats will fish in the same class, no matter the size.
For more information, contact Jimmy Taylor at 228-617-7441. You can visit the group’s website at mgcbgfc.com.