Participating Tournaments
2024- All Year- Catch-and-Release Tournament: New rules coming. Special Anglers will no longer be required to release fish to gain credit just as long as they are not trying to earn credit for the VMRC Junior Angler Awards.
2022-2023- All Year- Catch-and-Release Tournament: $300 cash purse was paid out to Special Anglers in 2023. The tournament is performed in conjunction with Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) Virginia Junior Angler Awards Program for 15 and younger anglers. All Special Anglers in all 50 states may participate for national ranking points via the Open Division that includes freshwater and saltwater fish species. See rules and sponsorship information here. $75 set aside for any Junior Angler that beats VA State Record for time to complete all six species catches. Link to 2022 Live Leaderboard. Link to 2019 Live Leaderboard. Link to 2018 Live Leaderboard. Link to 2017 Live Leaderboard. Link to 2016 Live Leaderboard. Link to the original 2015 Live Leaderboard.
10/14/2014 Update: The Virginia state record was broken on 10/6/2014 by Junior Angler Andrew Acosta (14 yrs) of Providence Forge, VA, with an elapsed time of two hours and twenty six minutes. Andrew has won our 2014 $75 prize for breaking the record. Congratulations Andrew. Job well done! We have money on the table for any Junior Special Angler who beats this new record set by Andrew.
Queen of the Bay Pier Fishing Tournament Series: In cooperation with host piers and towns throughout the country, every Queen of the Bay/Banks/Lake/River Tournament includes a Special Angler Division. The inaugural event was held July 27th- July 30th, 2016 by the Town of Cape Charles, VA. A second running of this tourney was conducted June 27-30th, 2018 with a total cash payout of $1,500 cash and over $1,000 of in-kind prizes from our sponsors, making it the largest cash purse pier fishing tournament in the nation. It is considered the 1st leg of Virginia's Triple Crown of Fishing. This innovative pier style accessible fishing tournament is a strategic tournament (e.g., think chess) based on multiple sub-division species caught within an Open, Lady, Youth, and Special Angler Divisions. The first to catch a species within a primary division (e.g., Open Division), secures the species sub-division for the entire tournament. Each major division is seeded with prize money that is spread to five species subdivisions, making a total of 20 possible species sub-divisions for the tournament. The Queen of the Bay grand prize tiara is awarded to the top female angler who has secured the most catches in as many species sub-divisions as possible. "Queen of the Bay" derives its name based on the fact the girls have the most possible moves in the tournament, much like the Queen in chess. See this link for overview info. Use this link for specific details about the Cape Charles event and registration. Special Angler pays all tournament fees for all Special Angler families fishing this tournament.
August 13th, 2022, Ingram Bay Marina "Bay Bash", Heathsville, VA: This is a family friendly multi-species tournament in the spirit of our Queen of the Bay tournament series. Conducted out of Ingram Bay Marina on the Chesapeake Bay, it features an Open, Lady, Special Angler, and Youth Divisions featuring unlimited fish species for Lady, Youth, and Special Anglers. The trophies go five deep in the Lady, Special Angler and Youth Divisions. This tourney makes up the 2nd leg of Virginia's Triple Crown of Fishing. See Bay Bash website for details: http://www.BayBash.com
Colonial Beach Spring Rockfish Tournament (April, Opening day of Rockfish season): Just in time for Spring Trophy Season, the Colonial Yacht Club and Dockside Restaurant sponsors have added a Special Angler Division beginning in 2015. $3,750 up for grabs in the money division. National Special Angler Points will be awarded. 1st thru 5th place Special Angler Division trophies. See this link for official tournament details. Please reach out to us if you need to find a great captain. Special Angler is prepared to sponsor tournament fees and help you team with several very reasonable and fantastic charter boat captains that have worked with us in the past.
04/23/2015 Update: Congratulations to Gabe Dietrichson of Dumfries, VA, who landed a 17.9 lb 35.75" rockfish, soaring to the top of the National Rankings with 600 points. His Rebecca-E Team also capitalized, earning 800 team points and leads in the standings. See National Rankings for details. Press story published by Potomac Local .
Our 2016 participation produced two national records from this tourney. The first was for Alex Mendoza aboard the "The John Russell" fishing with his father Ron Mendoza. They hauled on board a 36.25" Rockfish. His catch was later eclipsed by Ethan Wheatley fishing with Ed Fortunato on the same boat within 1/2 hour of Alex's catch. Ethan's fish measured 38.5" and weighed 23.95 lbs. Both catches were later certified as new National Records for both anglers by species and overall for any species. Congratulations to both anglers. We look forward to additional national records. See the Live Leaderboard from the tourney for pics.
Colonial Beach Chamber of Commerce Rockfish Tournament (Nov xx, 2019): Typically held over Veterans Day Weekend, November. Over $9,000 in overall tournament prizes. Special Angler Division Trophies 1st- 3rd places. This is a two day format tournament. You can expect a National Champion to emerge from this tournament. The 2014 tournament resulted in a come from behind win for the 2014 National Champion,Travis Smith. With only a few hours of fishing time remaining on Sunday, he pulled in a 9.86 lb Striper, squeaking past front runner and tournament favorite Sarah Capp aboard the Spine Fin.
Our 2015 National Championship was conducted as part of this tournament and we concluded our national ranking points for 2015. We ran two charters for Special Anglers and their families who fished this tournament for free. The 2015 tournament was as equally exciting as the 2014 tournament, with the fight for the National Title again going down to the wire. This fall tournament continues to produce strong and plentiful catches of Rockfish and wonderful memories for those who participate (see our Facebook page for the play by play narration and the pictures). Link to the 2015 Live Leaderboard is here.
2016 produced and equally exiting year for our anglers. Donna Martinez fishing with her son Andy captured 3rd overall in the hotly contested ladies division. See 2016 CBCOC Fall Rockfish Tourney Leaderboard for details. Looking forward to our participation in 2017.
Annual Izaak Walton League Fishing Derby for Special Needs, Centreville, VA (Saturday, May 4 , 2019): The large pond is stocked a few days in advance with big rainbow trout that must be cleaned out before the summer heat kills them. Great fun with picnic and other events. Izaak Walton League provides all the equipment and bait, but you are welcome to bring your own. We are able to provide National Ranking points through our National Catch-n-Release tournament and we plan to be on hand to capture your day in pictures. We recommend this for the great time you'll have with your family and the fish you can take home for dinner. Let that be the reward. Please email us at info@SpecialAngler.org so that we can forward your RSVP or contact mailto:Pam.Meara@arlingtonfairfax-iwla.org. Event website is here. An event flyer is here.
Dream Fields Spanish Mackerel Tournament, Annual Event (August 18th, 2018): the third leg of Virginia's Triple Crown, typically held third week of August. Scheduled Saturday August 18th, 2018. Over $35,000 in overall tournament prizes. $200 first place prize for the Michael Hoyt Special Angler Division. Special Angler Award plaques 1st thru 5th place. $2,500 Calcutta purse. See this page for all details on the tournament that include results, rules, and past history.
Cape Fear Disabled Sportsman's Tournament (May), Annual Event: Kure Beach Fishing Pier, Kure, NC (near Wilmington, NC). 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM. Expect over 300 participants in this public tournament. Special Angler Foundation will be awarding National Ranking Points based on results from this tournament. Gift bag. Bait and tackle provided. Prizes. This tournament typically draws significant Special Angler participation. There were a total of 375 total participants in 2014. Contact Luanne or Mark Le'Blanc, tournament chairpersons, for details at lleblanc922@gmail.com or call (910) 612-3407. Other details at their website. To receive National Ranking Points, please email us at info@SpecialAngler.org . Please send your pictures too so we can post on Facebook and on this website. If you have any interest becoming the local Special Angler Ambassador for this tournament, please email us at the same address.
2022-2023- All Year- Catch-and-Release Tournament: $300 cash purse was paid out to Special Anglers in 2023. The tournament is performed in conjunction with Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) Virginia Junior Angler Awards Program for 15 and younger anglers. All Special Anglers in all 50 states may participate for national ranking points via the Open Division that includes freshwater and saltwater fish species. See rules and sponsorship information here. $75 set aside for any Junior Angler that beats VA State Record for time to complete all six species catches. Link to 2022 Live Leaderboard. Link to 2019 Live Leaderboard. Link to 2018 Live Leaderboard. Link to 2017 Live Leaderboard. Link to 2016 Live Leaderboard. Link to the original 2015 Live Leaderboard.
10/14/2014 Update: The Virginia state record was broken on 10/6/2014 by Junior Angler Andrew Acosta (14 yrs) of Providence Forge, VA, with an elapsed time of two hours and twenty six minutes. Andrew has won our 2014 $75 prize for breaking the record. Congratulations Andrew. Job well done! We have money on the table for any Junior Special Angler who beats this new record set by Andrew.
Queen of the Bay Pier Fishing Tournament Series: In cooperation with host piers and towns throughout the country, every Queen of the Bay/Banks/Lake/River Tournament includes a Special Angler Division. The inaugural event was held July 27th- July 30th, 2016 by the Town of Cape Charles, VA. A second running of this tourney was conducted June 27-30th, 2018 with a total cash payout of $1,500 cash and over $1,000 of in-kind prizes from our sponsors, making it the largest cash purse pier fishing tournament in the nation. It is considered the 1st leg of Virginia's Triple Crown of Fishing. This innovative pier style accessible fishing tournament is a strategic tournament (e.g., think chess) based on multiple sub-division species caught within an Open, Lady, Youth, and Special Angler Divisions. The first to catch a species within a primary division (e.g., Open Division), secures the species sub-division for the entire tournament. Each major division is seeded with prize money that is spread to five species subdivisions, making a total of 20 possible species sub-divisions for the tournament. The Queen of the Bay grand prize tiara is awarded to the top female angler who has secured the most catches in as many species sub-divisions as possible. "Queen of the Bay" derives its name based on the fact the girls have the most possible moves in the tournament, much like the Queen in chess. See this link for overview info. Use this link for specific details about the Cape Charles event and registration. Special Angler pays all tournament fees for all Special Angler families fishing this tournament.
August 13th, 2022, Ingram Bay Marina "Bay Bash", Heathsville, VA: This is a family friendly multi-species tournament in the spirit of our Queen of the Bay tournament series. Conducted out of Ingram Bay Marina on the Chesapeake Bay, it features an Open, Lady, Special Angler, and Youth Divisions featuring unlimited fish species for Lady, Youth, and Special Anglers. The trophies go five deep in the Lady, Special Angler and Youth Divisions. This tourney makes up the 2nd leg of Virginia's Triple Crown of Fishing. See Bay Bash website for details: http://www.BayBash.com
Colonial Beach Spring Rockfish Tournament (April, Opening day of Rockfish season): Just in time for Spring Trophy Season, the Colonial Yacht Club and Dockside Restaurant sponsors have added a Special Angler Division beginning in 2015. $3,750 up for grabs in the money division. National Special Angler Points will be awarded. 1st thru 5th place Special Angler Division trophies. See this link for official tournament details. Please reach out to us if you need to find a great captain. Special Angler is prepared to sponsor tournament fees and help you team with several very reasonable and fantastic charter boat captains that have worked with us in the past.
04/23/2015 Update: Congratulations to Gabe Dietrichson of Dumfries, VA, who landed a 17.9 lb 35.75" rockfish, soaring to the top of the National Rankings with 600 points. His Rebecca-E Team also capitalized, earning 800 team points and leads in the standings. See National Rankings for details. Press story published by Potomac Local .
Our 2016 participation produced two national records from this tourney. The first was for Alex Mendoza aboard the "The John Russell" fishing with his father Ron Mendoza. They hauled on board a 36.25" Rockfish. His catch was later eclipsed by Ethan Wheatley fishing with Ed Fortunato on the same boat within 1/2 hour of Alex's catch. Ethan's fish measured 38.5" and weighed 23.95 lbs. Both catches were later certified as new National Records for both anglers by species and overall for any species. Congratulations to both anglers. We look forward to additional national records. See the Live Leaderboard from the tourney for pics.
Colonial Beach Chamber of Commerce Rockfish Tournament (Nov xx, 2019): Typically held over Veterans Day Weekend, November. Over $9,000 in overall tournament prizes. Special Angler Division Trophies 1st- 3rd places. This is a two day format tournament. You can expect a National Champion to emerge from this tournament. The 2014 tournament resulted in a come from behind win for the 2014 National Champion,Travis Smith. With only a few hours of fishing time remaining on Sunday, he pulled in a 9.86 lb Striper, squeaking past front runner and tournament favorite Sarah Capp aboard the Spine Fin.
Our 2015 National Championship was conducted as part of this tournament and we concluded our national ranking points for 2015. We ran two charters for Special Anglers and their families who fished this tournament for free. The 2015 tournament was as equally exciting as the 2014 tournament, with the fight for the National Title again going down to the wire. This fall tournament continues to produce strong and plentiful catches of Rockfish and wonderful memories for those who participate (see our Facebook page for the play by play narration and the pictures). Link to the 2015 Live Leaderboard is here.
2016 produced and equally exiting year for our anglers. Donna Martinez fishing with her son Andy captured 3rd overall in the hotly contested ladies division. See 2016 CBCOC Fall Rockfish Tourney Leaderboard for details. Looking forward to our participation in 2017.
Annual Izaak Walton League Fishing Derby for Special Needs, Centreville, VA (Saturday, May 4 , 2019): The large pond is stocked a few days in advance with big rainbow trout that must be cleaned out before the summer heat kills them. Great fun with picnic and other events. Izaak Walton League provides all the equipment and bait, but you are welcome to bring your own. We are able to provide National Ranking points through our National Catch-n-Release tournament and we plan to be on hand to capture your day in pictures. We recommend this for the great time you'll have with your family and the fish you can take home for dinner. Let that be the reward. Please email us at info@SpecialAngler.org so that we can forward your RSVP or contact mailto:Pam.Meara@arlingtonfairfax-iwla.org. Event website is here. An event flyer is here.
Dream Fields Spanish Mackerel Tournament, Annual Event (August 18th, 2018): the third leg of Virginia's Triple Crown, typically held third week of August. Scheduled Saturday August 18th, 2018. Over $35,000 in overall tournament prizes. $200 first place prize for the Michael Hoyt Special Angler Division. Special Angler Award plaques 1st thru 5th place. $2,500 Calcutta purse. See this page for all details on the tournament that include results, rules, and past history.
Cape Fear Disabled Sportsman's Tournament (May), Annual Event: Kure Beach Fishing Pier, Kure, NC (near Wilmington, NC). 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM. Expect over 300 participants in this public tournament. Special Angler Foundation will be awarding National Ranking Points based on results from this tournament. Gift bag. Bait and tackle provided. Prizes. This tournament typically draws significant Special Angler participation. There were a total of 375 total participants in 2014. Contact Luanne or Mark Le'Blanc, tournament chairpersons, for details at lleblanc922@gmail.com or call (910) 612-3407. Other details at their website. To receive National Ranking Points, please email us at info@SpecialAngler.org . Please send your pictures too so we can post on Facebook and on this website. If you have any interest becoming the local Special Angler Ambassador for this tournament, please email us at the same address.
2014 National Championship Tournament (August 23rd, 2014) Results
Michael Hoyt and father Jim cranking in a big one!
Our 2014 invitational National Championship Tournament was competed as part of the August 23rd Lancaster Little League Spanish Mackerel tournament. The top 10 2013 nationally ranked Special Anglers were invited to participate aboard two Fish Dispatch sponsored charter vessels and water front accommodations for the weekend on the Chesapeake Bay. Full results and stories from this tournament are provided here.
Our 2015 National Championship is planned for Colonial Beach, Virginia (Fall Rockfish tournament). We are raising funds now to cover the cost of charter boats and hotels for this once and a lifetime experience for Special Anglers and their families. Please reach out to us if you wish to be a sponsor.
Results Summary
Our 2015 National Championship is planned for Colonial Beach, Virginia (Fall Rockfish tournament). We are raising funds now to cover the cost of charter boats and hotels for this once and a lifetime experience for Special Anglers and their families. Please reach out to us if you wish to be a sponsor.
Results Summary
- Sarah Capp: 700 National Ranking Points, 1st Place Lady Angler Division, $200
- Joe Gittinger: 500 National Ranking Points, Tied 1st Place Special Angler Division, $100
- Michael Hoyt: 500 National Ranking Points, Tied 1st Place Special Angler Division, $100
- Travis Smith: 500 National Ranking Points
- Tasha Adkins-Blanch: 300 National Ranking Points,2nd Place Special Angler Division
- Morgan Howard: 200 National Ranking Points, 3rd Place Special Angler Division
Colonial Beach Chamber of Commerce (CBCC) Rockfish Tournament Special Angler Division Results, Nov 9th-10th, 2013
- 1st Place, Morgan Howard, Team Latitudes, 6.5 lbs, $150
- 2nd Place: Michael Hoyt, Team Marleigh II, 4.5 lbs, $100
- 3rd Place: Travis Smith, Team Latitudes, 3.92 lbs, $50
All anglers received national ranking points and received the benefit of a two day formatted tournament. The Marleigh II, based in Cobb Island, Maryland, makes mark for Maryland in the overall team rankings. Texas and Florida now within sights. Virginia based boats still holding strong on top of the leader board.
Link to the overall official tournament results
Link to our stories from the tournament here!