The Coastal Conservation Association of Maryland held their inaugural Perch Jerker Tournament on Saturday. The tournament took place on the Patuxent River and its tributaries with weigh-in held at Sea Breeze Restaurant, 27130 South Sandgates Road in Mechanicsville. Lines went in the water at daybreak and weigh-in was at 2 p.m.
As reported by Brooke MacDonald, CCA Assistant Director, about 20 people participated in this first ever event designed to promote sport fishing and to allow people to have fun on a great Saturday.
There were 6 boats full of avid anglers attempting to catch the largest perch. The cash prizes were based upon the number of entries, but the winners, Barry Marseglia and John Gyorda who tied, weighing in a 10.5 ounce perch each, were more interested in the fishing, camaraderie and having fun than in the prize.
“We’ve gotten a lot of feedback from it,” said MacDonald. “It’s something we hope to do again.”
According to the website, www.ccamd.org, “CCA was established in 1977 after fourteen founding sport fishermen, dismayed by disappearing game fish populations, decided to band together and work to make things better for our coastal resources. Today, CCA state chapters span the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic from Texas to Maine, addressing marine conservation issues on a local, state and national level. CCA is one of the largest 501(c)(3) non-profit marine conservation organizations in the United States.”