Sebastian Blue Water Open Set For June 3

The 29th Annual Sebastian Exchange Club Foundation Blue Water Open Charity Offshore Fishing Tournament is in the final planning stages. Tournament headquarters will be at Capt. Hiram’s Resort on Indian River Drive in Sebastian. The festivities begin on Friday, June 2, 5 p.m. with registration, the captain’s meeting, raffles, 50/50, and much more. A trip valued at $5,000 is up for grabs. Enter the contest in person Friday, June 2 or online at www.bluewateropen. com. Saturday, June 3 is tournament fishing day.

Over the past 28 years, the Exchange Club of Sebastian has raised over $929,000 through this tournament. All the proceeds go to non-profit organizations whose goals are to prevent child abuse, support youth, and make a difference in the community. Some of the organizations that have benefitted from this event are Youth Guidance Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) Center, Boys and Girls Club, Nana’s House, Guardians for New Futures, Veterans Counsel, Roseland Ecumenical Food Pantry, Community Policing Unit, and Shiloh Youth Ranch.

There is $21,000 up for grabs for those fishing the tournament, with 31 opportunities of winning some of the purse. The main board and bonus board fish categories are dolphin, kingfish, tilefish, and grouper. Additionally, $1,000 payouts for the biggest amberjack and wahoo, $1,500 for the biggest swordfish and top boat pays $2,500. There’s also the Capt. William Charles Memorial Catchin’ and Cookin’ Award for $1,000 to the largest board grouper. And prizes for top lady angler and top junior angler.

All boats must be registered in person on Friday night between 5 and 7 p.m. The captain’s meeting begins at approximately 6 p.m. Boats can leave inlet, but no lines in the water before 6 a.m. Saturday morning. Weigh-in is 2-5 p.m. Boats must check-in with the committee boat near ICW marker 66 inside Sebastian Inlet promptly by 5 p.m. to weigh fish. More details are available at www. bluewateropen.com.

The Sebastian Exchange Club is actively looking for sponsors for the event. Besides lots of exposure during the tournament, sponsors will receive a boat entry and be invited to the VIP Party on Friday night, held exclusively for tournament sponsors. Drinks and appetizers are included. If interested in helping the cause of preventing child abuse and fostering youth activities, please contact Eva Chapman at (772) 300-2156 or visit www.bluewateropen.com.

The Sebastian Exchange Club has been an active part of our community since 1982. If interested in working to prevent child abuse, foster youth, encourage Americanism or just promote good citizenship in the community, consider attending a noontime luncheon at Capt. Hiram’s any Wednesday, except the first Wednesday of each month.

Registration, rules, payouts and more information can be found at www.bluewateropen.com.

What do the ratings mean?

POOR day basically means the fish will either steal all your bait or will not even touch your line. FAIR day means that you catch one or two fish but you will have to work hard to do so.

GOOD day means that you will catch enough fish to feel gratified. BEST day means that you will catch something almost every time you cast your line in the water.

LEFT: Potential ship for reefing offshore.

BELOW: Delivery of ACIP drainage structures.