Mexico Beach, Cape San Blas & Port St. Joe Florida

Friends and Fellow Anglers,
 
Welcome to the 2011 Ling Ding.  The fish are here and a number of big fish have already been caught.  There are multiple 80#+ fish that have been caught in the area.  Robert Hutson and Captain Jon Lee brought in a 76.2# stud late last week out of Mexico Beach.  John Thompson brought the first fish that we’re aware of into the dock on March 18th.  Since then almost every boat that has gone out is at least seeing fish.  The Spanish mackerel seem to be everywhere and don’t forget about the bonus $500 Spanish mackerel division.    
 

 
98 Real Estate Group has gotten behind the tournament and we’re all proud that the Ling Ding is back.  A strong tournament committee was formed including Captain Mitch Coleman, Bonita Thompson (an early favorite), Steve Newman, Zach Ferrell, Zach Childs, and tournament director Captain John Wiley.  Half Hitch Tackle and Marquardt’s/Mexico Beach Marina have also offered their support and are both serving as the official weigh stations.  Without these weigh stations, it would have been very tough to have a month long tournament and we really appreciate their support.  You can also register and buy Ling Ding T-shirts at both locations.  The committee has done its best to keep the format simple and fun for everyone.  We want you to come down and enjoy your time on the water and everything that beautiful Gulf County and Mexico Beach have to offer.  There will be a gathering at a local restaurant each weekend for the anglers and their friends and family. (More details below) We appreciate everyone’s support and look forward to making this tournament better and better each year.  
 
There seem to be a number of common questions about the tournament and I’ll do my best to answer them below.
 
What days is the tournament going on?  Fishing for the tournament is open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in April.  The weekends were chosen to try and give those that don’t live here an equal playing field with the locals.  Fish caught on other days are not eligible for the tournament.   
 
How many different anglers can fish on my boat?  As many different anglers as you would like to take throughout the month.  Bring your friends down and enjoy your time on the water.  The fish must be caught on the boat registered on the allowed days and that you are at the scales before they are closed.  You will have to have your registration forms to weigh fish.  Please don’t try and weigh any fish without your yellow registration form.  
 
How does the prize money work?  There will be a weekly winner that wins $250 for the biggest cobia.  In addition to that, there is a bonus $500 Spanish mackerel division and the overall biggest Ling caught during the tournament will receive an additional $2,000.  If we can reach 50 boats, the big fish prize goes from $2,000 to $3,000.
 
What if nobody weighs a fish in one weekend?  The $250 for that week will go towards the next week’s winner which will then receive $500. 
 
When are registrations cut off?  They aren’t.  Anglers can still enter up until the last day of the tournament.  Technically you can enter on April 30th, catch the biggest fish and win the tournament.  Of course you have to be entered prior to catching the fish to be eligible to enter them into the tournament. 

Who can I contact with questions?  You can contact any of the committee members and Marquardt’s and Half Hitch are both knowledgeable about the tournament.  If an issue arises, tournament director John Wiley will have the final say.  His cell is 850-227-8218 and his email is Wileyj74@hotmail.com.  If you’d like something mentioned in next weeks email, please let one of us know as well.  
 
Who has entered so far? 

1)  John Wiley:  Ranger 23  2)  Matt Terry:   Dirty Oar  3)  Charlene Burke:  Saint Misbehavin'  4)  Frank D. May:  Miss Carla  5)  Zach Childs:  Alley Kat 1  6)  Ryan Harmon:  Southern Swagg  7)  Ben Carnes:  Final Draw  8)  Jeff Howell:  Carraway Bay  9)  Earl Nichols:  Zero  10)  John Thompson:  Fresh Catch  11)  Robert Hutson:  Peggy Sue  12)  Jeff Morman:  First Light  13)  Ron Childs:  Alley Kat 2  14)  Ben White:  Stink Bait  15)  Keith Carraway:  Seament 16)  Brandon Ballew:  Break Away  17)  Steve Newman:  Big Fish  18)  Brad Timmins:  Brown Eyed Girl  19)  Dwight Van Lierop:  Miss Carolyne  20)  Clayton Studstill:  Miss Behavin Again  21)  Nathan Murphy:  Road Trip  22)  Finley Cook:  Garfin  23)  Zach Ferrell:  Just One More  24)  Robert Nix:  Like It Roff  25)  Grant Terry:  Phish Pharxm  26)  Rusty Brogdon:  Reel Crazy  27)  Mitch Coleman:  Floridaze  28)John Breen:  Reef Chief  29)  Dave Mullis:  Dew Point 30)  Eugene Cline:  Miss Maddie  31)  Mark Moore:  Second Don't Count  32)  Gary White:  Gary's Fishing Charter

 
Will there be a lie detector test for the winner?  The weekly winner will not be subject to a lie detector test, but the overall winner will have to pass a lie detector test similar to the one given to the Big Bend Tournament winner prior to receiving their prize.  
 
Can I weigh more than one fish each weekend?  Absolutely, please be courteous of the staff’s time at the weigh stations, but you are allowed to weigh multiple fish throughout the tournament.  Please try and get a picture of each fish as well.  And remember, when the scales are closed, they are closed for the day.
 
How can I find out who won each week?  Both weigh stations will have this information and you can follow the tournament and see pictures on the tournament’s facebook page at: facebook.com/LingDingtourny  There will also be a weekly email sent out each Wednesday recapping what happened the following week and reminding you about the events for the coming weekend.  

What events are planned? 

This Saturday 4/2 we will all be getting together for a captain’s/kickoff party at Mango Marley’s from 6 to 8CST.   There will be wing and drink specials and we’ll have registrations and T-shirts available and will be there answer any questions about the tournament that you may have. 

April 9th- Oyster and drink specials at Regan’s Oyster Bar from 5-7EST.

April 16th- Live music and drink specials at The Haughty Heron.

Our final and largest event for the year will be the awards party will be April 30th at Mexico Beach Marina/Marquardts from 5-7CST.  Come out and enjoy the final weigh in with some awesome BBQ from Prickly Pear along with smoked fish and refreshments.  The Mexico Beach CDC has helped sponsor this event and there will be plenty of free food and good times for all wait and watch some big cobia being weighed.  Please check the weekly update for additional times and locations of future Ling Ding Parties. 

 

Be Safe and Tight Lines, 

Zach Childs

Broker- 98 Real Estate Group