Beginning with this year's 42nd Annual WMIT, the tourney officially becomes a qualifying event in the celebrated International Gamefish Association's Offshore World Championship "Rolex" series. That's big stuff. It's essentially a coming of age for one of the nation's top nonaffiliated events.
"It was just a perfect match," said John Fitzgerald, who is directing this year's WMIT with his wife, Nicole. Right now, the WMIT is scheduled between the Barbados International Fishing Tournament (03/18/2011 - 03/22/2011) and the Bermuda Anglers Club International Light Tackle Tournament.
The IGFA connection requires strict adherence to its rules and regulations. No sweat there. BHM&TC has been playing under those strictest-of-strict rules and regulations for decades.
"We are the only major white marlin tournament that follows all IGFA rules -- and is a no 'hook and hand' tournament. If you bait up Mr. Whitey you are fighting the fish, which brings out some of the best white marlin fisherman on the East Coast," said Fitzgerald.
Along with the prestige of being a qualifying World Series event, the overall winner of the WMIT gets to participate in the IGFA Offshore Championship. See www.igfaoffshorechampionship.com. Interestingly, either the WMIT winning boat or even a single crewmember aboard that vessel can enter the IGFA World Championship event.
To mark the alliance of IGFA and WMIT, there will be cool IGFA banners at the BHM&TC's clubhouse for the tourney weekend.
Per WMIT officials, this move to a big-time affiliation will not even remotely affect the contest's close and friendly clubhouse atmosphere.
WMIT HOOKS INTO BIGGER WINNINGS:
Along with the IGFA association, White Marlin Invitational 2011 will see some prize money upgrades that'll easily make this tourney the hottest ever, dating back to the first tournament in 1970. The potential prize money has fast-forwarded from $583,000 to $773,000.
"Originally the winner was the angler who caught the most fish. The entry fee was $150 and the total prize money was $2000," said Fitzgerald.
That juicy jump in purse size elevates the contest into rarified air for what continues to proudly remain a small club event.
There will be a modest bump in entry fees, from $900 to $1,000, before July 1. After July 1, it goes up to $1,200. That is the first hike in the entry fee in a decade. You can register right up to the Captains' Meeting, held this year on July 27 at 8 p.m.
Per usual, event organizers urge everyone to sign up early, not only to save some entry fee bucks but also to make it easier to work out the likes of dining logistics.
"It really helps to have early registrations. But, since this is a small boat event, many boats wait to the last minute to see what the weather is going to be like. It's understandable, but makes it tougher," said Fitzgerald.
Feeding the tourney troops will also take an upswing this year.
Skippers Seafood will make a return, handling "Raw Bar" duties, the way only Freddie Rebmann can do – after decades in the shellfish business.
The hot meal dining will also get a boost this year. The club is welcoming aboard Joey's Pizza and Pasta. The famed eatery, on a "Hot List" as one of the Shore's best Italian restaurants, already has a close tie to the BHM&TC, via Joey's co owner and BHM&TC member Tom Kowal.
"Joey's plans on doing what they do best: serving top quality food. The food will be awesome. We hope this can be a long-term relationship, said Fitzgerald."
Some technical changes are also in place for this year's content. A biggy will be the new 7 a.m. starting time. Previously, lines were loosed at 8 a.m. However, anglers had repeatedly voiced frustration over being out there watching prime "sun" go to waste while awaiting the 8 .a.m. starting gun. "That's an important hour of fishing that shouldn't go to waste," said Fitzgerald. Committee boats announce fishing hours on a daily basis.
Another change of convenience is meant to help boats departing from venues further up north. For the first time, participating vessels are permitted to leave through Manasquan Inlet. However, boats leaving through Manasquan Inlet must bring weigh-ins through Great Egg Harbor, Atlantic City, Little Egg or Barnegat inlets.
Unchanged are the fishing grounds, limited to a 100-mile radius of Little Egg Whistle Buoy.
As with most offshore tournaments, no lines may be in the water until the event officially starts.
More updates on this year's WMIT as it becomes available.
Jay Mann
