Make Plans For The Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament
It’s kingfish time on the first coast, and big catches of big kings are being reported almost daily. Along with the kings come several kingfish tournaments, including our local granddaddy of them all, the Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament (GJKT). It all starts for the GJKT on July 18 and runs through the July 23. This year’s events include several new features.
The week starts with a Monday night welcoming party and captains meeting for the Offshore Junior Angler tournament. Juniors may weigh one kingfish per angler, with the top 25 anglers placing and taking home prizes. The top catch (largest fish) wins a brand new 15-foot Gheenoe, Yamaha motor and trailer package. Entry fee is just $10 per junior. The Kingfish Tournament will be fished on Tuesday, July 14.
Wednesday night brings the captains meeting for the two-day (Thursday and Friday) General Tournament (GT). Now in its 36th year, the GT will have over 300 boats fishing for lifelong bragging rights. Top prize for the largest kingfish caught is a brand new Contender, Yamaha boat motor and trailer package valued at over $80,000. The top two-fish aggregate winner will win a brand new Yamaha 115 hp motor. Other prizes are in cash and include 10 places for both largest and aggregate catches. New this year is a single-engine division, with five cash prizes for the top aggregate and largest fish winners respectively.
Also new this year in the GT is the addition of five cash prizes for the ladies of the tournament. These prizes are in addition to the Jim King award that will continue to be given to the lady angler that catches the largest fish. To qualify, lady anglers must fight their fish to gaff.
Saturday morning brings to Junior Angler Dock Tournament. Entry will be for the first 100 juniors to sign up, and prizes will be awarded to the winners. Entry fee is just $10 per junior.
Backing up just a little bit, to July 16, we will have the Greater Jacksonville Redfish tournament. This tournament is for the heaviest slot-sized red and the red with the most spots. Three cash places will be paid on each side, starting at $1,500 for first, $1,000 for second and $500 for third. New this year in the Redfish Tournament is a kayak division with three places for the winners. Entry fee for this tournament is $50 per angler.
All awards will be given out on Saturday, July 23. There will be a food festival, including seafood and music with an after party following the awards. Best times for spectators are as follows:
Tuesday Junior Angler Day- 1:30-4 p.m. This is always a fun one with the juniors catching some really nice fish.
Thursday and Friday for the GT- 2-6 p.m. for a constant parade of boats and crews weighing in a lot of big kingfish, cobia and wahoo.
During all times when the tournament site is open, food, drinks and plenty of shade will be available. Pets are welcome. For more information, go to Kingfishtournament.com.
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