The secondary goal of the event is to “give back to the hard-working fishing community and support local fishing conservation efforts.”
The Wahoo Classic is a boat competition. There is a $350 entry fee, which covers as many anglers on a boat as desired.
The first-place winner will receive ten thousand dollars for the biggest Wahoo fish caught. Second and third-place winners will win five thousand dollars and three thousand respectively. There will be other prizes for the largest Blackfin tuna and Dorado catches.
Any rod and reel may be used, as well as any size line. Tackles and hooks of any kind are allowed. Multiple people may fight the fish or touch the rod, and awards are decided on total boat catches, not individual.
Island Matters spoke with Diane Johnson, vice president of the board of directors for the Wahoo Classic Fishing Tournament. The event is held the weekend after Labor Day, and targets the Wahoo fish, Dorado, and Blackfin Tuna. The top three of each species can earn cash prizes.
“Every year we try to find [something] different, or something new, to give back to our anglers,” said Johnson. The event is a large effort and features many sponsors. The full list of sponsors can be found on the event website. “It’s a lot of hard work, but it pays off,” said Johnson.
“I just want to thank the sponsors, the door prize donors, and all the anglers who participate in our tournament, because that’s what makes it such a success, and we are so grateful,” said Johnson.
Door prizes will be raffled at the Sunday awards ceremony. For more information, visit the official website spiwahooclassic.com, email spiwahooclassic@gmail.com, or call (303) 517-9419. The mailing address for the event is SPI Wahoo Classic P.O. Box 2312, SPI, TX 78597.
