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Tournament Information
The 55th Annual Smith Mountain Lake Fishing Tournament, a three-day fishing event on the scenic waters of Smith Mountain Lake, will be held May 19-21 at Gills Creek Marina in Wirtz. Virginia.
This tournament was run by and benefited The Roanoke Optimist Club for 45 years and then the Challenger Little League Baseball for 7 years. Gills Creek Marina took over this tournament during Covid when we thought it might be the last run for this iconic event. We needed to find a non-profit that would take ownership of and breathe life back into this tournament established in 1969.
Gills Creek Marina is excited to partner with Smith Mountain Lake Youth Athletics (SMLYA). Lacey and Ryan Hamilton are the founders of this incredible organization whose Mission is to empower our youth through athletics built on a foundation of self development with a focus on community involvement. I think we can all agree that this is the right partnership to take the 54th Annual Smith Mountain Lake Fishing Tournament back to it’s place among the best fishing tournaments in Virginia.
This Year’s Highlights:
Tickets will be available online, at one of our regular outlets, and at Gills Creek Marina on April 15, 2023.
This tournament was run by and benefited The Roanoke Optimist Club for 45 years and then the Challenger Little League Baseball for 7 years. Gills Creek Marina took over this tournament during Covid when we thought it might be the last run for this iconic event. We needed to find a non-profit that would take ownership of and breathe life back into this tournament established in 1969.
Gills Creek Marina is excited to partner with Smith Mountain Lake Youth Athletics (SMLYA). Lacey and Ryan Hamilton are the founders of this incredible organization whose Mission is to empower our youth through athletics built on a foundation of self development with a focus on community involvement. I think we can all agree that this is the right partnership to take the 54th Annual Smith Mountain Lake Fishing Tournament back to it’s place among the best fishing tournaments in Virginia.
This Year’s Highlights:
- Tickets for this year's 3 day tournament will be $75.
- This year, a minimum of 50% of the ticket proceeds will be paid out in prize money for the Top 3 winners each day for each of these 5 categories... Large and small mouth bass, stripers, crappie and catfish. Assuming 400 participants, the total pay out each day would be $5000.
- The remaining profit will be paid out to Smith Mountain Lake Youth Athletics
- Fishing begins at 7am on Friday and ends at Noon on Sunday.
- Friday's winners will be top on the board at 4pm Friday.
- Saturday's winners will be top on the board as of 4pm Saturday.
- Sunday’s winners will be top on the board at 12 noon on Sunday.
- All fish , except Stripers, will be weighed in at Gills Creek Marina anytime between Friday morning and noon on Sunday. Remember, the board will be cleaned at 4pm each day.
- This years rule for Stripers has changed. Participants will be able to verify their catch by sending a photo that includes your ticket and the fish measured on an approved measuring board. (Pick up one at Gills Creek Marina)
Tickets will be available online, at one of our regular outlets, and at Gills Creek Marina on April 15, 2023.
Prizes by Category Each Day
Daily Prize Money Projections
(based on 400 participants)
(based on 400 participants)
Category 1
STRIPER 1st Place - $500 2nd Place - $300 3rd Place - $200 |
Category 2
SM BASS 1st Place - $500 2nd Place - $300 3rd Place - $200 |
Category 3
LM BASS 1st Place - $500 2nd Place - $300 3rd Place - $200 |
Category 4
CATFISH 1st Place - $500 2nd Place - $300 3rd Place - $200 |
Category 5
Crappie 1st Place - $500 2nd Place - $300 3rd Place - $200 |
Tickets can be picked up at the following locations...
Tickets are also available at these outlets:
Gills Creek Marina 540-721-2451
790 Fox Chase Rd
Wirtz, VA 24184
SML Tackle Shack 540-912-0201
13326 Booker T Washington Hwy
Suite B1
Moneta, VA 24121
Marina 66
16525 Booker T. Washington Hwy
Moneta, VA 24121
Gills Creek Marina 540-721-2451
790 Fox Chase Rd
Wirtz, VA 24184
SML Tackle Shack 540-912-0201
13326 Booker T Washington Hwy
Suite B1
Moneta, VA 24121
Marina 66
16525 Booker T. Washington Hwy
Moneta, VA 24121