Va. standards for trophy fish to stay the same

There will be no changes to the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament in 2010.

The award program's committee held its annual meeting last week.

"This is the second year in a row that we haven't had any changes," said Lewis Gillingham, director of the state-sponsored program.

Award minimums for two species - spot and gray trout - were discussed.

"We haven't had many spot citations the last couple of years," Gillingham said. "But if you look over time, we go through years with almost no citations, then a couple of banner years with thousands of them.

"We felt that the minimums were for true trophies and didn't want to mess with them."

It takes a 1-pound or 13-inch spot to win an award.

With gray trout, there just aren't many of them in any size.

"Anglers, fishery mangers... everybody is perplexed about the lack of numbers of weakfish," said Gillingham, using another name for gray trout.

Last year only one gray qualified for the state's 9-pound minimum. Only one met the 30-inch standard. This year, no citiation-sized grays have been reported.

Committee members also discussed potential changes in bag limits for the winter speckled trout fishery.

While the tournament does not have the authority to make such changes, it can offer recommendations to the Finfish Management Advisory Committee - which then advises the Virginia Marine Resources Commission.

"We've recommended a daily 5-fish bag limit from December through March, with only one fish longer than 24 inches allowed," Gillingham said. "This would apply to all gear types."

The committee also recommended looking into penalties for snagging or cast netting trout for the purpose of applying for awards.

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DU RAISES BIG MONEY

The Virginia Beach chapter of Ducks Unlimited held its annual fundraiser Thursday night at the Oceanfront.

More than $20,000 was raised, and a black lab puppy has a new home. The dog went for $1,200.

The event also honored artist Leland Simmons, who for more than 30 years donated his works to DU.

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FISHING FOR VETERANS

The Veterans Day largemouth bass fishing tournament held out of Bob's Fishing Hole in Chesapeake raised $314 for the Wounded Warrior Project.

The event was held last Sunday because of bad weather conditions on Veterans Day.

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MORE FUNDRAISING

The Kingsboro Bowmen recently raised $409 for the Hunters for the Hungry program, which provides venison to needy families around the state.

Money donated to the organization is used to help pay for processing deer donated by hunters. The 3-D archery club held a target shoot in Suffolk to help raise the money.

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WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

The 12th annual Striped Bass World Championship has undergone a few changes this year.

The event no longer is a two-month contest, running instead only in December.

And there is no Thanksgiving Day event this year.

However, the Rock Around the Clock 24-hour striper contest that takes place on the Sea Gull Pier will be held on Saturday. The pier is located on the first island of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel.

The event starts at midnight Friday and continues through midnight Saturday.

Last year's pier contest drew more than 100 anglers. Butch Hall of Virginia Beach won with a 26-pound, 8-ounce striper.

Registration is $5 for adults. Anglers 16 and younger are free. Prizes will be awarded for the five largest striper.

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RESULTS

From largemouth bass fishing tournaments held out of Bob's Fishing Hole on the Northwest River:

• Nov. 11 - 1. Kevin Mills of Chesapeake and Tim Ackal of Virginia Beach, 10.6 total pounds; 2. Steve Albertson of Chesapeake, 10.6 (the tie was broken by big fish. Mills and Ackal had a 3.12-pound bass).
• Nov. 14 - 1. Joe Glazebrook of Chesapeake and Mike Evans of Virginia Beach, 11.8 total pounds. Lunker award: Evans, 2.12 pounds.
• Nov. 15 - 1. Mark London and Mike Rosenthal, both of Virginia Beach, 8.4 total pounds. Lunker award: Al Napier, 4.14 pounds.
• Nov. 18 - 1. Bob Glass and Al Napier, both of Virginia Beach, 8.8 total pounds. Lunker award: Glass, 5.2 pounds.

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UPCOMING

• Fourth annual Atlantic Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company Rockfish Derby, Dec. 5-6, with headquarters at the fire station. Registration is $25 for adults, $15 for youths 12-under. The deadline is Dec. 4 at the 6:30 p.m. anglers meeting. Prizes will be awarded for the heaviest rockfish. There also is a prize for the biggest bluefish. Call (757) 824-4844.
• Contender Cup Striped Bass Tournament, Dec. 19, out of Marina Shores in Virginia Beach. Registration is $175 before Dec. 1, or $250 after Dec. 1. Fishing starts at 7 a.m., and scales are open from 1-5 p.m. Prizes will be awarded through fifth place, and there are two additional "winner-take-all" entry levels. There also is a $500 small (23 feet or less) boat challenge. Call (757) 351-2513.