Charleston County fishing tournaments set

Charleston County Parks’ pier tournament season kicks off May 19 with the Summer Pier Kickoff Tournament at the Folly Beach Fishing Pier.

The tournaments continue throughout the summer at Folly Beach and the Mount Pleasant Pier.

The Folly Beach Fishing Pier stretches out 1,045 feet into the Atlantic Ocean. Common catches include blue fish, sheepshead, spotted sea trout and whiting.

Other catches off the diamond can include king mackerel and Spanish mackerel.

The Mount Pleasant Pier offers a new tournament called Kahuna on the Cooper on May 26, followed by the Cooper River Challenge on June 2, Sept. 1 and Oct. 6.

Opened in 2009, the pier is built on pilings from the old Grace Memorial Bridge. These pilings have become a haven for many types of fish, including red drum, spotted sea trout, flounder and sheepshead.

Both piers offer equipment rentals, tackle and frozen bait, plus knowledgeable staff to offer tips. Both also include restaurants, gift shops and restrooms.

Award categories vary, but all tournaments include prizes for the largest game fish catch in each of the following categories: adult angler, lady angler, youth angler (12 and under), senior angler (60+) and total weight of five fish.

Registration fees for pier tournaments are $12 for ages 13 and up (discount available for Charleston County residents), $9 for ages 3-12, and $14 for King Mackerel (Folly Beach Fishing Pier only).

Online tournament registration will end the Thursday prior to each tournament. On-site registration for all tournaments begins at 6 a.m. the day of the event. Tournaments end at 4 p.m. and prizes are awarded at 4:15 p.m.

Parking fees are a separate charge from registration fee. Call the Folly Beach Fishing Pier at 588-3474, the Mount Pleasant Pier at 762-9946, or visit www.ccprc.com.

The 2012 Fishing Tournament schedule:

May 19: Summer Pier Kickoff Tournament, Folly Beach Fishing Pier.

May 26: Kahuna on the Cooper, Mount Pleasant Pier.

June 2: Cooper River Challenge, Mount Pleasant Pier.

June 16: Pier Fishing Tournament, Folly Beach Fishing Pier.

July 21: Pier Fishing Tournament, Folly Beach Fishing Pier.

Aug. 18: Big Kahuna Fishing Tournament, Folly Beach Fishing Pier.

Sept. 1: Cooper River Challenge, Mount Pleasant Pier.

Sept. 15: Pier Fishing Tournament, Folly Beach Fishing Pier.

Oct. 6: Cooper River Challenge, Mount Pleasant Pier.