Black Friday Rockfish Tourney Underway

OCEAN CITY- Local anglers hoping to avoid the crowds and holiday shopping this weekend and perhaps win some money instead of spending it are participating in the first-ever Black Friday 550 Rockfish Tournament out of the Ocean City Fishing Center this weekend.

For 36 hours this weekend, local fishing enthusiasts looking for an alternative to holiday shopping will take to the waters in and around the resort area for the first annual Black Friday 550 Rockfish Tournament. The tourney got underway this morning at 6 a.m. and will conclude at 6 p.m. on tomorrow.

As the name of the event implies, the only species targeted during the tournament will be rockfish, or striped bass. Cash prizes for the largest rockfish weighed will be awarded at different intervals during the two-day tournament with a winner-take-all prize for the largest single fish weighed during the event. The anticipated payout for the Black Friday tournament is $10,500.

Weigh-ins will be held at the host Ocean City Fishing Center today from 10 a.m. to Noon and from 5-7 p.m., and from 9-11 a.m., and 5-7 p.m. on Saturday. An awards ceremony will be held at the close of the scales on Saturday.