Key Allegro Marina

Throughout the world, prestigious sport fishing tournaments attract owners of powerful yachts, big game anglers and crowds of enthusiastic spectators.  Tournament atmosphere is high pitched with revelry and excitement, and the competition among those who follow the circuit is fierce.  It is big business, with corporate America and major sponsors such as sport fishing yacht manufacturers Hatteras, Bertram and Riviera solidly on board.  From the Pacific to the Atlantic, in Costa Rica, Hawaii and down under in Australia, world-class sport fishing tournaments are a thriving industry.  The Texas Gulf Coast has a piece of the action.

Among the Texas tournaments that have gained prominence and stature is the Key Allegro Marina’s Rockport Offshore Challenge.  Launched in 2003, with 30 boats competing, the quality of the tournament created a buzz on the circuit.  By 2005, 65 boats were registered, with over $300,000 in prize money up for grabs.  The 2006 4th annual event, scheduled for July 19th through July 23rd, is expected to attract 80 boats and over 1,500 spectators.  Key Allegro Marina owners Larie and John Nelson are at the helm of the tournament, and have announced that a portion of the event’s proceeds will, as was the case in 2005, benefit the Billfish Foundation and Camp Aranzazu for special needs children.

The Rockport Offshore Challenge offers versatility that is unique in the world of tournaments.  In addition to the Billfish and Catch and Release divisions, which focus on Blue Marlins and Billfish, anglers can opt to participate in the Super Six.  “In the Super Six, the species include Wahoo, Ling, Kingfish, Dorado, Yellow Fin Tuna and Red Snapper,” said Nelson, “and, it’s an opportunity for smaller boats to compete and have some fun.”  Registration begins in April, with final registration the week of the tournament.  The entry fee for the Billfish division is $1,000 per boat, and  $500 per boat for the Super Six.  In addition to awards in these categories, there is a Lady’s trophy and a Junior trophy for anglers age 16 or younger.

An added twist is that boats are allowed to depart from any port on the Gulf Coast.  They must, however, return to the Key Allegro Marina in Rockport for the weigh-in.  Anticipation will begin to fill the air on Wednesday the 19th, when the marina begins to swell with boat owners and anglers who are chomping at the bit to check in.  At a festive shrimp boil in the evening, conversations will likely revolve around one subject.  Fishing.  Good natured anglers are inclined to alternate between fun-poking antics and competitive zeal, but their focus never strays. Their sights are set on landing the big one.  By Thursday afternoon, they will be bursting to get started.  Both newcomers and seasoned veterans will be eager to get into the fighting chair, with the hope that the line will start screaming.  In a carnival-style atmosphere, the impressive parade of boats will depart for the fishing grounds at 5:30 Thursday evening.  Tournament rules call for lines in the water at 5:30 on Friday morning.

Excitement will no doubt reach a crescendo on Saturday the 22nd, when spectators will gather to welcome their favorite anglers back to the Key Allegro Marina.  All boats must be in sight by 6:30 p.m. and checked in with tournament officials at the entry inside the Key Allegro Jetties.  The weigh-in will be a boisterous festivity, with the celebration extending through a dinner on Saturday night and a brunch and trophy presentation on Sunday morning.         

 The Rockport Offshore Challenge attracts sport fishing boats from Louisiana, Alabama and the entire Gulf Coast.  In 2005, the Hatteras corporate yacht came from North Carolina to compete, as did representatives from Riviera Yachts-Australia who fished aboard a locally owned Riviera.  That year’s tournament was won by Brad Aery, aboard the Bertram 54 M/V Smooth Finish.  He snagged the $50,000 Grand Prize for a 621 pound, 111 inch Blue Marlin.  In the 2005 Super Six, Ben Heilker, aboard the Mechanical Man, was the big winner with a 91.7 pound Yellow Fin Tuna. 

Since inception, Riviera Yachts-Texas has been the lead sponsor for the Offshore Challenge and will be the contributor of the $25,000 prize for the largest Blue Marlin weighed in.  Pete Fox, of Fox Yacht Sales, is the sponsor of the Catch and Release, Bill Fish division, and other sponsors for the 2006 event include Key Allegro Marina, Aransas Autoplex, Ace Hardware, Rockport Mail Center, Gatewood Service, Big Jon’s Palapa Bar & Grill, Sterling Associates, Furuno USA, Seaworthy Marine Supply, Ron Hoover RV and Marine, Schuemack Builders, Trident Funding and other businesses in the Coastal Bend area.  The Offshore Challenge is a town event that impacts hotels, restaurants and local merchants who roll out the red carpet for these visitors to the Rockport-Fulton community.

When tournaments end, owners, captains and anglers typically linger to prolong the comradery.  Spirited conversations reverberate in every corner, with the common thread being a passion for fishing.  They bemoan the one that got away.  They boast about the one they reeled in; and they re-hash the tournament, in Monday morning quarterback style.  As the sun sets over the Key Allegro Marina, these sport fishing enthusiasts will no doubt be casting their eyes toward the next year’s Rockport Offshore Challenge.  They come for the thrill of the chase, and they fish hard because they love to fish.