Oil slick causes Gulf Coast sport fishing tournaments to come up dry; at least dozen canceled

From marlin to mackerel, Gulf anglers out of luck

PENSACOLA, Fla. — At least a dozen sport fishing tournaments throughout the Gulf Coast have been canceled or postponed this summer because of the massive oil spill.

It’s costing organizers, bars, restaurants and others thousands of dollars.

Kevin Sluder is chairman of Pensacola’s July 4th International Billfish tournament.

He canceled the 40th annual version because too much of the Gulf — 22 percent so far — has been closed to fishing.

The Mobile Big Game Fishing Club canceled its 2010 Memorial Day event in early May. It would have been the tournament’s 34 year.