OUTDOORS

Outdoors Notes: FishStock ready to go in NSB

Jeff Wilen
jeff.wilen@news-jrnl.com

After a move from its usual spring dates and then a delay due to Hurricane Irma, the annual FishStock festival in New Smyrna Beach is finally here.

The "celebration of the saltwater lifestyle" event is Friday through Sunday. It features a fishing tournament, seminars and family activities hosted by New Smyrna Marina and Outriggers Tiki Bar and Grille.

"All the sponsors gave me a thumbs-up," tournament director Dan Jacobs said Friday. "We were very fortunate here (at the event site). We didn't get hit hard, and we're blessed about that. We're torn up about friends and families who suffered."

A final registration kickoff party and silent auction will take place from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday.

Fishing will dominate Saturday, even minus the 41st annual New Smyrna Beach Striker (offshore) Tournament. On Tuesday, that event for tuna, wahoo, dolphin and kingfish was postponed until Sept. 30 due to potentially unsafe fishing conditions from weather forecasts.

The 15th annual Redfish and Trout (inshore) Challenge, however, is still on. That starts at 1 p.m. Saturday.

"This time of year, backwater fishing is amazing and bluewater fishing kicks into gear," Jacobs said. "It was happening leading up to the (pre-Irma) tournament date. The fish are there, and there are tons of bait.

"We have great prizes. The Striker offshore winner (from Sept. 30) gets an invitation to the Offshore World Championship in Costa Rica."

KidStock seminars, which teach ages 6-16 how to fish, are at 10 a.m. and noon Saturday.

On Sunday, there's a FishStock 5K (7:30 a.m.) and two more KidStock seminars (9:30 a.m., 11 a.m.) before the awards presentation (noon).

Live scorekeeping and any more schedule changes can be found online at fishstock.com.

HALIFAX SPORT FISHING CLUB: A question-and-answer-night about how or where to catch any fish is at 6:45 p.m. Thursday in Port Orange. For info, email programs@hsfc.com or call 386-205-9062. The Halifax Sport Fishing Club is located at 3431 S. Ridgewood Avenue in Port Orange. For info, contact Wil Evans at president@hsfc.com or 386-566-0601, or visit hsfc.com or Facebook.

NATIONAL HUNTING AND FISHING DAY: Saturday, hunters and anglers are challenged to take someone with them on their next outdoor adventure.

WOMEN'S CLINIC: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission hosts a Women's Saltwater Fishing Clinic in Ocala on Sept. 30. To register, email Heather.Sneed@MyFWC.com or call 850-487-0554.

FLAGLER SPORTFISHING: The Flagler Sportfishing Club's 29th Annual Fall Classic Inshore Fishing Tournament is Friday-Saturday. For info, visit fcsportfishing.com.

SUNSHINE STATE SPORT SHOOTING: Volusia County Hunt & Gun Club in New Smyrna Beach will host a Sunshine State Games Sport Shooting Event on Sept. 30. The entry fee is $40, with an online registration only deadline of Sept. 27. Entries are limited to 105 shooters.

BREWER'S CUP: The Smyrna Yacht Club's annual Oktoberfest Brewer's Cup Regatta is Oct. 28 at 11 a.m. The 10-mile downwind fun race has been going on since 1999. Entry fee is $25. For info, visit smyrnayachtclub.com or email pflynn01@snet.net or eflynn@snet.net.

HALIFAX YOUTH SAILING: Halifax Youth Sailing is a nonprofit organization that teaches ages 8-19 how to sail. They sail on the Halifax River at 15 Fremont Court in Daytona Beach. The new season starts at 11 a.m. Saturday. The Turkey Trot Regatta is Nov. 18. For info, visit HalifaxYouthSailing.org or contact Steve Caron at 904-545-3123 or Steve@HalifaxYouthSailing.org.

DATES TO KNOW: Snook season closes in Atlantic state and federal waters Dec. 15 through Jan. 31 and June 1 through Aug. 31. ... The recreational gag grouper season remains open through Dec. 31. ... Bay scallops close Sunday. ... Stone crab opens Oct. 15. ... For a list of state hunting season dates, including doves, visit myfwc.com/hunting/season-dates.