Get out the rods and reels and mark the calendar for the First Annual Orange Beach Red Snapper World Championship April 21-May 20. Sponsored by the Orange Beach Fishing Association (OBFA), this world-class event will not only award big prizes to lucky anglers, but also will provide funding to create more fishery habitat through artificial reef-building off the Alabama Coast. Cash prizes for the boat and angler bringing in the largest snapper will be $25,000 for first place, $15,000 for second place, $10,000 for third place, $6,000 for fourth place, $4,000 for fifth place and $1,000 for those placing sixth through 20th. Prizes are based on the participation of 15,000 anglers and 150 boats. It doesn�t stop there with prizes. The registered tournament angler landing the biggest snapper breaking the world�s record of 50-pounds 4-ounces will be $200,000 richer. A four-wheel drive Nissan truck from Chris Myers will be awarded to the registered angler bringing in the biggest snapper breaking the current Alabama state record of 44-pounds 12-ounces. Artificial reef building in the Gulf of Mexico by coastal Alabamians started in the 1940�s. It is a proven success story that providing a healthy habitat for snapper and other species will produce a thriving fishery. One thousand new public reefs will be built with monies from tournament and state three-to-one matching funds. Tournament Director Tom Steber of Zeke�s Landing said, �Not only will this be the largest bottom fishing tournament in the world, it will bring a lot of anglers to Orange Beach who may not be familiar with Alabama�s Gulf Coast. The tournament will provide an opportunity for the OBFA to raise money for fishery legislation, research and reef building.� �Reef building is paramount to a healthy fishery and these reefs, sponsored by this tournament, will be for public use,� Steber continued. �We expect this event to have a big economic impact on the island and captains are already reporting strong bookings. After all, Orange Beach is the Red Snapper Capital of the World.� Information on rules, ticket sale locations, and prizes, can be found at www.orangebeachsnapper.com after April 1.

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Media Contact: Bebe Gauntt +1 251-974-1510 bgauntt@gulfshores.com