06-18-2002, 11:53 PM
Big Bucks, a Burch Ford Truck and Fun are on tap for the 3rd Annual Mako Madness Charity Tournament.<br><br>Dana Point, Ca - The Worlds largest Mako release tournament is just over a month away, July 20/21st with a record number of entries signed up to date with a record number of sponsors. Teams from Australia, Brazil and South Africa will be participating in this years revised release format whereby every participant or team can win the Burch Ford sponsored F150 truck.<br><br>Last years television coverage of the Mako Madness Charity event featured in both National and International Networks which were broadcast on Fox Sports and 169 other News, TV stations throughout the USA, Canada and the world. Several stations aired the tournaments no less than 7 times a day on the main news channels.<br><br>This year the Ford Truck will be given away to the team or teams that have accumulated the min required points over the predetermined minimum. With 239 fish released last year we have increased the allocated points for releasing fish from 40 points per released fish to 150 points. The capture and release of the tagged Mako cash prize is now $100 000.00 making this the richest mako tournament in the world.<br><br>The reason we did this said tournament director Chris Badsey is to provide each and every participant an equal opportunity to win the Ford Truck. Last year's format required each and every participant meet a min weight over 250lbs to qualify for the Ford Truck eliminating some of the smaller boats who could not make the long run to where some of the larger fish hang out. This year by accumulating the required points for released fish each team now has a chance of winning the Ford truck. In addition to this change the fishing hrs have been extended to start earlier but ending at 3.00pm on Sunday to make provisions for the polygraph tests conducted after the tournament to take place.<br><br>Claim Jumper restaurants once again will be providing their fantastic BBQ ribs and Chicken for all the hungry participants at a new sit down awards banquet Sunday July 21st at 5.30pm. During this time Rod and Reel Radio will again be broadcasting live from the banquet.<br><br>Another big change this year is that all donated sponsors prizes will be drawn each hr both days during the tournament and given away to the winning team eliminating a long awards dinner. There will be 4 raffled drawings at the awards banquet for the big ticket items donated. Sponsors include but not limited to West Marine, Sobe, Okuma, Furuno, Salt-X, Anagram, Shurflo, Van Dixhorn Fuel, Bongo's, Eagle Claw, Maxima Fishing line, SeaTow, Vessel Assist, Mexicana Airlines, Tag N Brag, Pompanette, Western Outdoor News, Outrageous Custom Rods, Seeker, Calstar, Zwing , Dick Simon Marine and many more.<br><br>Entry fee is $ 600.00 for the whole team with no angler restrictions before July 1st and $700.00 for late entry fee after this date. Last min sign up's and entries will be accepted Friday 19th until 6.00pm when the captains meeting takes place. Entry forms, rules and Tournament information can be found on the Finnseeker Sportfishing website at http://www.finnseeker.com or call (949) 263-4118 for further information.<br><br><br>