12th Annual Redfish Round-Up “The Spot Tournament for Charity” Returns March 31st at The Jim King Park and Boat Ramp at Sisters Creek



Anglers will compete in the 12th annual Redfish Round-Up “The Spot Tournament for Charity” on Saturday, March 31, at The Jim King Park and
Boat Ramp at Sisters Creek. Sponsored by The Florida Times-Union and Jacksonville.com, this year’s boat capacity will remain at 500. Spotmaster is Dr. Dan McCarthy, who is director of the Marine Science Program at Jacksonville University.



The Redfish Round-Up is the largest charity redfish event in the country. “We are excited to have reached a dozen years of putting on the tournament and to have become a much anticipated annual tradition,” said tournament manager, Sandy Spencer.



Started by The Florida Times-Union in 2001, the Redfish Round-Up is a one-day catch and release tournament with a $60 registration entry fee per boat. Bonus entries will be available only at the mandatory Captains’ meeting, 6:30 p.m.. Thursday, March 29, at the Times-Union Building, One Riverside Avenue. A bonus entry costs $60 and entitles an angler who is fishing in someone else’s boat to claim a prize. Registration will begin on March 3 with mail-back entry forms from The Florida Times-Union or online at jacksonville.com/redfishround-up.



More than $110,000 raised at the previous tournaments has benefited Safe Harbor Boys Home, the benefiting charity. Safe Harbor Boys Home was founded 26 years ago by local Jacksonville couple Doug and Robbie Smith. The Smiths are familiar faces at the tournament with many of the young men that the non-profit serves. “The boys carry the weigh bags from dock to spot counter and are invaluable in assisting the tournament in many other ways,” said Spencer. “The Redfish Round-Up is proud to help with the mission of inspiring permanent and positive change in the lives of hurting boys by helping them become men of character, integrity and vision.”



Last year’s number of winning spots was 27 to claim the $7,500 first-place prize. Cash and prizes will go to the top 50 winners based on 500 entries. The highest number of spots on a red was 75 caught by John Oliverio in 2002, the record that still stands. Touted as a family friendly tournament, the Redfish winner in 2006 with 32 spots was Katherine Thames, who was then 10 years old.



“We are asking anglers who want to participate to prepare now. It’s a great event that is part of Northeast Florida’s annual fishing calendar,” Spencer said.

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Sandy Spencer
Redfish Round-up
Tournament Manager
sanspencer9@att.net
904-374-2751
904-608-2340 (mobile)