Registrants also encouraged to participate in research program

PORTLAND — The Casco Bay Angler’s Club and the Coastal Conservation Association-Maine are hosting Maine’s largest striped bass tournament, the Maine Striper Hunt. All proceeds from this month-long catch-and-release tournament will benefit the Coastal Conservation Association of Maine.

The tournament involves a tiered competition framework that includes a fly fishing division, spin division and youth division. To register their catch and post a photo, participants must visit www.mainestripertournament.com.

Cabela’s will be awarding prizes every two weeks for the largest fish in each division during that time period.

“This is the sixth year we’ve been doing this tournament and it’s become very popular. Folks have an incredible time and catch some really great fish,” said Andrew Nelson, event organizer and CCA-Maine board member. “In addition, there’s a wonderful benevolent element, as we’re able to donate all proceeds to CCA-Maine.”

During the tournament, registrants are encouraged to participate in a joint program between CCA-Maine and the Gulf of Maine Research Institute called “Snap-a-Striper.” Here’s how it works: When an angler catches a striped bass of any size, he/she quickly fills in the required information (angler name, date, generic catch location) on a 3-by-5 data card, which also serves as an accurate fish ruler, and photographs the fish with the card next to it. The fish is then released or harvested, and the photograph is emailed to [email protected]. The photo process is best accomplished by two people working together.

Every angler who decides to harvest a legal keeper after photographing it is encouraged to remove the head, freeze it in a plastic bag along with the same data card used in the photo, and deliver it to one of several freezer drop-off points throughout southern Maine for collection by GMRI.

The body shape data from every striped bass photo taken with the Snap-a-Striper card in place, as well as data retrieved from fish ear bones collected from the heads of the striped bass, can help fishery scientists determine the origin of the fish and provide information that can improve fisheries management. For complete information on this program, visit cca-maine.org.

For more information on the tournament and to register visit www.mainestripertournament.com.