Snook Shindig Fishing Tournament prices reduced - register now!
Anglers are invited to a unique, science-focused snook tournament to be held by Mote Marine Laboratory on Nov. 13 – 14. This tournament includes great awards including fishing gear, artwork and gift certificates and raffles, fantastic door prizes, a bag of free items, special event t-shirt and a fabulous banquet in the courtyard of Mote Aquarium. Prices are reduced for this great event, register now!
This is a great opportunity for anglers of all ages and abilities to be “citizen scientists” and to help provide valuable information on tagged hatchery-reared snook released into Sarasota Bay.
Snook are one of the most sought-after catches in Florida’s saltwater recreational fishing industry, which draws more than $6 billion to the economy annually. However, increased fishing pressure, habitat loss and natural challenges such as freezes and red tide have contributed to a decline in snook populations. Thus, for more than 25 years, Mote and FWC scientists have partnered on research studies designed to evaluate if stocking hatchery-reared snook can be an effective fishery management tool for replenishing snook stocks.
Mote researchers document snook caught during the tournament to identify individual hatchery-reared fish they previously tagged and released, recovering vital data that can be used to adjust release protocols. Past tournament results have revealed that changes in snook-release strategies, based on Mote pilot studies, have improved survival of stocked snook by as much as 200 percent.
“The tournament provides an opportunity for the community to learn more about Mote’s fisheries research and conservation, and with their participation it is a valuable tool to provide vital data on hatchery-reared snook contributions to the fishery, and snook population size and movements in Sarasota Bay,” said Carole Neidig, Mote Staff Scientist. “Also, it’s the only scientific tournament that involves citizen scientists with a focus on hatchery-reared and wild common snook.”
Mote’s last Snook Shindig Tournament was held in 2009 before the 2010 winter cold spell that resulted in the deaths of millions of snook and the closure of the fishery. Since then, Mote scientists have released more than 2,500 snook and need anglers' help to learn more about the released fish movements and survival.
This tournament includes great awards including fishing gear, artwork and gift certificates and raffles, fantastic door prizes, a bag of free items, special event t-shirt and a fabulous banquet in the courtyard of the Mote Aquarium.
When: 6 p.m. Nov. 13 – 5:30 p.m. Nov. 14
Where:
Mandatory Captain’s Meeting: 6 p.m. Nov. 13 in Mote’s Keating Marine Education Center, 1599 Ken Thompson Parkway on City Island, Sarasota
Fishing: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13 – noon Nov. 14 along Sarasota Bay from Venice to Cortez
Awards Dinner: 5:30 p.m. Nov. 14 in Mote Aquarium’s Courtyard.
NEW REGISTRATION DETAILS: PRICES REDUCED!
Adults ages 16 and older can register $35 per person. Youths ages 15 and younger can register at $10 per person.
Registered anglers are eligible for prizes. Snook Shindig entry fee includes entry in the tournament, barbecue dinner, an event T-shirt, voluntary participation in raffles and lots of fun.
To register only for the 5:30 p.m. Awards Dinner on Nov. 14, purchase a dinner ticket for $30 per person ages 6 and older. Children under 5 can eat for free.
- Learn more and register at mote.org/snookshindig
Sponsors of the tournament include Carol and Barney Barnett; Mote Marine Laboratory; Mote Aquaculture Park; Florida Fish And Wildlife Conservation Commission; Fish Florida; Bark & Company Realty, Inc.; Publix Super Market Charities; A.Tiffaney & Sons; BMS International, Inc.; Breathe Like A Fish; Cannons Marina; Capt. Curt’s Crab & Oyster Bar; Captain Scott Moore; CB’S Saltwater Outfitter’s; Chris and Jill Malkin: Coastal Angler Magazine; CoconutTreeBoutique.com featuring the artwork by Ray Domingo & Kim Braun; Daiichi Hooks; Discount Tackle; DOA Fishing Lures; Economy Tackle/Dolphin Paddlesports; FishBrain; Florida Bass Conservation; Folsom of Florida; Frances Bays; Go Puck Wearable Power; Gulf Coast Distributing Company; Guy Harvey Magazine’s Online Fishermen, Hydro Glow Fishing Lights; Indigenous Restaurant; JM Snooky Kayak Charters; Johnny Miller Outfitters; Karen Chadwick & Family Gyotaku Art; LeBarge Tropical Cruises; Mangrove Coast Fly Fishers; MirrOlure; Mote Fisheries Volunteers; New Pass Bait & Tackle; North American Environmental Protection Association; Daiichi; DOA Lures; Pinch-A-Penny; Red Zone Apparel; Reef Safe by Tropical Seas; Sarasota Bay Explorers; Scuba Quest; SeaSucker; Siesta Harbor Fishing Club: Signs Now; Silverscorpion; Steve Whitlock Game Fish Art; Stick-It; The Chiles Group; Village Bikes; Waterproof Charts; and Yippee Kayak Fishing.
- The tournament is preceded by a fun kid's fishing clinic at Mote's Aquaculture Park Nov. 7. Register here.