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The '''AT&T Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament''' (GJKT) is a contest fishing for [[King mackerel]] that spans six days every July in [[Jacksonville, Florida]]. The tournament bills itself as the largest kingfish tournament.<ref name=TIMES>Sutton, Jim: [http://jacksonville.com/sports/outdoors/2009-07-19/story/greater_jacksonville_kingfish_tournament_changing_with_times "Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament changing with times"] Florida Times-Union, July 24, 2009</ref> . According to Rick Ryals, a local boat captain, the GJKT is “The World’s Greatest Kingfish Tournament. It’s true competition in its purest form. It doesn’t matter how big your boat is or how much it costs. There are no secret weapons. There is only good solid preparation and the luck of the draw.”<ref>[http://www.kingfishtournament.com/tournament.php "General Tournament Information"] Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament</ref> |
The '''AT&T Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament''' (GJKT) is a contest fishing for [[King mackerel]] that spans six days every July in [[Jacksonville, Florida]]. The tournament bills itself as the largest kingfish tournament.<ref name=TIMES>Sutton, Jim: [http://jacksonville.com/sports/outdoors/2009-07-19/story/greater_jacksonville_kingfish_tournament_changing_with_times "Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament changing with times"] Florida Times-Union, July 24, 2009</ref> . According to Rick Ryals, a local boat captain, the GJKT is “The World’s Greatest Kingfish Tournament. It’s true competition in its purest form. It doesn’t matter how big your boat is or how much it costs. There are no secret weapons. There is only good solid preparation and the luck of the draw.”<ref>[http://www.kingfishtournament.com/tournament.php "General Tournament Information"] Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament</ref> |
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Revision as of 05:02, 19 June 2010
thumb|right|250px|2010 GJKT logo The AT&T Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament (GJKT) is a contest fishing for King mackerel that spans six days every July in Jacksonville, Florida. The tournament bills itself as the largest kingfish tournament.[1] . According to Rick Ryals, a local boat captain, the GJKT is “The World’s Greatest Kingfish Tournament. It’s true competition in its purest form. It doesn’t matter how big your boat is or how much it costs. There are no secret weapons. There is only good solid preparation and the luck of the draw.”[2]
History
In 1980, several Jacksonville businessmen decided to organize a fishing contest like the ones they enjoyed in Miami and Fort Lauderdale. The first tournament was staged in 1981 at the Pablo Creek Marina on Atlantic Boulevard at the Intercoastal Waterway. The rules permited the registration of up to 1,000 boats, each with as many as four anglers, for an entry fee that was $400 in 2010. Professional and amateur anglers compete side by side for a total purse of as much as $500,000 in cash and prizes,[3] depending upon the total number of entries.
Charity
By the tenth year of the tournament, the event was firmly established and had grown so large that a legal entity was needed to take responsibility for signing contracts and handling finances. Jacksonville Marine Charities, Inc. (JMC) was founded in 1991 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization to run the tournament and distribute the proceeds. The projects they support must be marine-oriented and originate with another non-profit group. In its' history, JMC has awarded over $600,000 to other non-profits, which has benefited all Floridians, as well as First Coast residents.
Changes
In 1996, the tournament was moved to Jim King Park & Boat Ramp at Sisters Creek. The event was not held in 2002 due to construction on Hecksher Drive, which would have made access to the site almost impossible for the volume of traffic involved.
The Late-2000s recession had an extreme impact on the sport marine industry. Job losses and cutbacks affect discretionary recreational spending more than most market segments. New boat sales are nil, so manufacturers have cut their sponsorships. Some fisherman have given up their boat or teamed up with friends to save expenses.
- Promotion of marine conservation and preservation of fishing habitats.
- Development of Sisters Creek Park as the permanent site of the Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament and annual contributions, over $250,000 to date, to the Sisters Creek Park Maintenance & Improvement Fund.
- An annual scholarship program to provide aid to qualifying college students in the fields of marine science and oceanography.
- Marine science research projects at Jacksonville University.
- Renovation of Helen Cooper Floyd (Little Jetties) Park.
- Implementation of the Boater 101 marine science education course in area public and private high schools. This program teaches environmental awareness education, boating safety, waterways responsibility, and also provides opportunities for career exploration in both marine industry and recreational areas.
- Support for Mandarin High School's Reef Ball Project and National Ocean Sciences Bowl.
- Support for Jacksonville Offshore Fishing Club's Reef Projects, St. Johns Riverkeeper, and Safe Harbor Boys Home.
[http://www.kingfishtournament.com/mission.php
Tournament
The tournament attracts approximately 25,000 spectators who watch the weigh-in and enjoy the festivities. The tournament is traditionally capped off with a substantial fireworks display. favorite baitfish – menhaden shad or “pogies” – Spanish sardines, cigar minnows, goggle eyes or blue runners.
General tournament
Takes place over two days (Friday and Saturday). Prizes are awarded for:
Largest Kingfish (weight).................1st - 25th Place
Largest 2-Day Aggregate (3 fish)......1st - 25th Place
Tagged Kingfish Bonus....................Five tagged kingfish
Tournaments within a Tournament....Largest & Aggregate Divisions
Tournament winners[5] Single Fish Fish Group Year Winner Weight Winner Weight 1981 Paul Hanson 50.2 Gerald Beasly 135.4 (5) 1982 Jack Proctor 41.2 Walter Bates 78.1 (5) 1983 Ross Vilardo 48.5 Clayton Kirby 100.3 (5) 1984 Benny Hendrix 47.2 Brad Reed 118.2 (5) 1985 Jerry Byers 42.2 Roy Hawkins 114.6 (5) 1986 Michael Youngblood 50.7 Mark Williams 116.1 (5) 1987 Dennis Young 49.0 George Register 94.3 (5) 1988 Robert Bell 41.4 Daniel Parker 75.5 (3) 1989 Todd Crawford 47.9 John Jones 96.8 (3) 1990 Randy Smith 49.35 Clayton Kirby 88.35 (3) 1991 Clifton Lewis 49.4 Stephen Proctor 94.5 (3) 1992 Charles Newton 47.7 Dan Upton 108.05 (3) 1993 Douglas Sturm 48.75 Rick Smith 83.7 (3) 1994 Ron Gunter 42.7 Earl Clewis 77.6 (3) 1995 Fred Morrow 44.65 Robbie Sabiston 64.0 (2) 1996 Rick Raleigh 33.05 No qualifiers 1997 Jack Conard 49.1 David Hamilton 72.3 (2) 1998 Bian Bushloper 48.25 David Ward 70.85 (2) 1999 Sandy Smith 52.55 Matt Pittman 68.6 (2) 2000 Ross Vilardo 53.3 Frank Strickland 62.5 (2) 2001 Mike Burch 42.65 David Murphy 68.4 (2) 2002 No Tournament 2003 Scott Routh 45.5 Clyde Keen 65.8 (2) 2004 Paul Dozier 46.0 Trip Fletcher 75.9 (2) 2005 Bill Rew 48.95 Richard Geiger 69.85 (2) 2006 2007 2008 2009
Daily activities
- KidZone - FREE Children's Play Area for ages 3–14
- Liar’s Tent–live entertainment and tall tales abound
- Boat Show–Interactive Raymarine Display Trailer & the Boater's World Exhibit Booth
- Exhibits–dozens from government agencies, organizations, local & national businesses
- Boatique–souvenirs and official tournament merchandise
- Food Festival–seafood, barbeque and standard favorites
VIP tournament
This event was always held the first day of the tournament week, matching celebrities, politicians & big contributors with knowledgeable fisherman for a one-day fun outing. It was discontinued in 2008.
VIP winners[5] Year Winner Weight 1981 Joe Frazier 20.5 1982 Monroe Campbell 30.1 1983 Fred Holland 34.2 1984 Paul Hanson 36.6 1985 Robalo Fishing Team 23.6 1986 Donald Gowdy 46.5 1987 John Campbell 48.5 1988 John Jones 32.7 1989 Marvin Pate 40.5 1990 Bob Dunagan 44.45 1991 Ronnie Worsham 48.85 1992 Daniel Casino 40.1 1993 Bob Dunagan 44.35 1994 Jimmy Cox 43.2 1995 Chester Stokes 37.7 1996 Frank Strickland 37.85 1997 Gerald Pack 37.45 1998 David Workman 26.45 1999 Lowell Breeding 32.25 2000 Sandy Smith 40.6 2001 Ricky Raleigh 41.2 2002 No Tournament 2003 Tony Benevento 38.9 2004 Kenny Crawford 40.5 2005 Kenny Crawford 40.9 2006 2007 2008
Junior angler tournament
First held in 1991 for those under 16, it is a family event to promote good sportsmanship, conservation awareness and fun. The $10 entrance fee has not changed since its inception. Prizes are awarded for 1st through 50th places based on Kingfish weight.
Junior angler winners[5] Year Winner Weight 1991 Jeremy MacEwen 49.4 1992 Chris Newton 47.7 1993 Gabe Carlson 41.95 1994 Chris Wood 34.8 1995 Corey Hill 41.0 1996 Kevin Wood 42.25 1997 Crocker Stickney 43.9 1998 Dustin McIntire 26.95 1999 Sarah Pugh 29.65 2000 Casey Lands 36.8 2001 Gerard Haley 32.55 2002 No Tournament 2003 Hayley Craven 29.9 2004 Ross Crabtree 39.2 2005 Quint Wright 34.1 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
See also
References
- ^ Sutton, Jim: "Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament changing with times" Florida Times-Union, July 24, 2009
- ^ "General Tournament Information" Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament
- ^ "Champs to win big in Kingfish tourney" Florida Times-Union, March 21, 2001
- ^ "Kingfish Tournament: Past Winners" Florida Times-Union, July 18, 2006
- ^ a b c "Kingfish Tournament: Past Winners" Florida Times-Union, July 18, 2006
