LAKE HAVASU CITY – Lake Havasu City along with Western Outdoor News will be entering their 43rd Annual Striper Derby competition. The event will be a golden opportunity for fishing enthusiasts to win the biggest fish.
With event coverage spanning from various fishing trips, tournaments, and charters. The publication has shared the best and latest saltwater and freshwater adventures throughout the western states of the U.S. since 1953.
It wasn’t until the early 1980s, that the magazine teamed up with the city for one of the most popular fish derby competitions of the season. Six categories will be in place this year for teams to take to the water in search of healthy sized sea creatures amongst the lake’s school of fish.
Big fish high rollers are optional. Teams can add $100 along with their all inclusive $275 entry fee for teams to be part of the High Roller’s. This choice will give them a chance for a good size payout for the three heaviest striped bass.
This year, the General Big Fish category will be going to the fifth largest fish catcher rather than the third biggest. For multiple teams on boats, more than one team will be allowed to fish from the same boat.
This one includes one angler team who are now allowed to be at the striper derby. The one division portion of the competition will have just one long division which includes each registered team.
Prizes and trophies will go to the top ten competitors of the tournament. The weigh in part of the contest is a requirement for all boats.
This will take place at the Havasu Marina where absolutely no drive-in or walk-in fish can be okayed by the tournament staff.
Finally, the all big fish submissions category, will be aiming to award the top five big fish with either cash or prizes.
It will be a requirement that this accomplishment is filmed on a mobile phone as proof to validate the actual day the fish was captured. This will have to be submitted before the award show starts.
There will be a variety of prizes fishermen can win as well. For the teams entering for just $175 per team, they will be eligible to win Striper Derby hats, T-shirts, and possibly tackle prizes and trophies.
Let’s not forget the trendy Blind Bogey contest happening for the two-day event is a great way to win some lucky money at the occasion. The $40 fee for each day will go into the blind bogey fund. These funds can give teams the opportunity to gain wins and bogey weights of different styles.
Any striper sized fish that is brought in, can be weighed. You just might be a winner too, if you choose to bring this in. More information on how to enter the contest can be found by visiting https://wonews.com or calling Striper Derby Director Billy Eagan at 949-366-0248.
This year’s Striper Derby will be taking place on Saturday, May 3 and Sunday, May 4 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the Nautical Beachfront Resort. Make sure you save the date for the biggest striped bass fishing event in the U.S. The festive days will be a time to enjoy the boating and fishing season, and create fun family time.
