Registration is now open for the Maryland Rod and Reef Slam Tournament, one of the Chesapeake Bay’s most unique fishing tournaments, which will take place from Sept. 7-15.
The annual tournament is co-hosted by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF), the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) Maryland, and Chesapeake Oyster Alliance (COA).
The Rod and Reef Slam challenges anglers to fish around the restored oyster reefs and to target the greatest variety of species they can, including and especially invasive species like the snakehead and blue catfish. Oyster reefs create welcoming fish habitat, and as a result attract lots of anglers.
This year’s tournament will run for 8 days in September. Once the fishing is concluded, there will be a beachfront afterparty and awards ceremony at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s (CBF) Philip Merrill Center in Annapolis on Sept. 15 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. The day will feature live music from the Eastport Oyster Boys, local food, and drinks.
“In this family-friendly tournament, anglers will experience the immense diversity of fish species that rely on oyster sanctuary reefs to thrive,” said Allison Colden, executive director of CBF Maryland, in a statement. “Oysters build underwater habitat that naturally attracts bottom-dwelling critters that gamefish eat. Restoring oyster reefs is a great way to help the many fish species that depend on this habitat.”
Previous Rod and Reef Slams have seen as many as 16 different species being caught in one day, including white perch, drum, toadfish, bluefish, rockfish, blue crabs, and Spanish mackerel.
“Oyster reefs not only filter the Bay but also provide shelter and great habitat for fish and other marine life,” said Herb Floyd, former Maryland Rod and Reef Slam champion, in a statement. “I especially enjoy the challenge of catching a wide variety of species and exploring the many reefs in our beautiful Chesapeake Bay waters.”
All participants must track their catches, including the species, size, and location virtually through the iAngler Tournament app. There will be three divisions of competition: Powerboat, Kayak, and Youth. All anglers will automatically be entered into the Invasive Species division. Eligible invasive species include blue catfish, flathead catfish, and Northern snakeheads (Chesapeake channa).
The best ways to reduce the threat of invasive species of fish to the Bay is to fish for and eat them.
Anglers can fish from more than 100 oyster reefs, ranging from small sites in the northern Bay and around Annapolis to large-scale restoration reefs in Harris Creek, the Little Choptank River, and Tred Avon River on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
The boundaries for the competition will be the restored oyster reefs in Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay and tributaries. For an interactive map, click this link.
Oyster restoration has been one of the Chesapeake Bay’s most successful restoration efforts, taking years and millions of dollars. Because oyster reefs filter water and provide much needed habitat for dozens of other species, it’s been a focus of conservationists for a long time. COA and other nonprofits, oyster farmers, and community organizations have committed to adding 10 billion oysters to the Bay by 2025.
The tournament entry fee is $50 for adults, $25 for youth, and there are after-party only tickets available as well. The party location is CBF Headquarters, the Philip Merrill Center, located at 6 Herndon Ave. in Annapolis.
Registration is required by Sept. 6. To register and for more information, click this link.
