Registration is now open for one of the Chesapeake Bay’s most unique fishing tournaments—the Maryland Rod and Reef Slam.
This annual tournament challenges anglers to fish around restored oyster reefs and target the greatest variety of species, including invasives like snakehead and blue catfish. Oyster reefs create extremely valuable fish habitat and often become angling hotspots.
This year’s event will run from Saturday, September 7, through Sunday, September 15. Fishing will be followed by a beachfront after-party and awards ceremony at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s (CBF) Philip Merrill Center in Annapolis on September 15, featuring live music from the Eastport Oyster Boys, local food, and drinks. The tournament is co-hosted by CBF, Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) Maryland, and Chesapeake Oyster Alliance (COA).
“In this family-friendly tournament, anglers will experience the immense diversity of fish species that rely on oyster sanctuary reefs to thrive,” said Allison Colden, CBF Maryland Executive Director. “Oysters build underwater habitat that naturally attracts bottom-dwelling critters that gamefish eat. Restoring oyster reefs is a great way to help the many fish species that depend on this habitat.”
Past Rod and Reef Slams have resulted in as many as 16 different species being caught in one day. White perch, drum, toadfish, bluefish, rockfish, blue crabs, and Spanish mackerel have been recorded in past tournaments.
“Oyster reefs not only filter the Bay but also provide shelter and great habitat for fish and other marine life,” said former Maryland Rod and Reef Slam champion, Herb Floyd. “I especially enjoy the challenge of catching a wide variety of species and exploring the many reefs in our beautiful Chesapeake Bay waters.”
Event details include:
- Start date: Saturday, September 7, 2024
- End date and after-party: Sunday, September 15, 2024 from 12–3 p.m.
- Party location: CBF Headquarters, the Philip Merrill Center, located at 6 Herndon Avenue, Annapolis, Maryland 21403
- Tournament entry fee: $50 for adults, $25 for youth; after-party only tickets also available
- Fish tracking: All participants must track their catches (species, size, and location) virtually through the iAngler Tournament app.
- Divisions: Powerboat, Kayak, and Youth. All anglers are automatically entered into the Invasive Species division.
- Boundaries: Restored oyster reefs in Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay and tributaries. Click here for an interactive map.
- Prizes: Grand Prize will be awarded to the highest overall diversity of species caught with any tiebreakers determined by fish length. There will be 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes for powerboat, kayak, and youth divisions, and one prize for the invasives division.
- Build a reef: Join CCA Maryland at Port Covington Marina in Baltimore Peninsula September 7th and 8th. Roll up your sleeves and help build reef balls as part of the Living Reef Action Campaign and the 2nd Annual Oysters Blues & Brews festival. Find more information here.
Eligible invasive species include blue catfish, flathead catfish, and Northern snakeheads (Chesapeake channa). Fishing for and eating these species is one of the best ways to reduce their threat to the Bay.
There are more than 100 oyster reefs that anglers can choose to fish, from small sites in the northern Bay and around Annapolis, to large-scale restoration reefs in Harris Creek, the Little Choptank River, and Tred Avon River on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
Oyster restoration has been one of the Chesapeake Bay’s most successful restoration initiatives. Oyster reefs filter water quality and provide essential habitat for dozens of other species such as striped bass and blue crab. COA and its partnership of nonprofits, oyster farmers, and community organizations are committed to adding 10 billion oysters to the Bay by 2025.
Registration for this event is required by September 6, 2024. Please learn more and register here.
