SEA ISLE CITY – Strong winds and cloudy skies could not stop the success of the 2nd Annual Jersey Shore Striper Tournament, which recently took place along the Atlantic Ocean and in back bays and inlets from Long Beach Island to the Delaware Bay. Hosted by Mike’s Seafood Market and The Lobster Loft Restaurant in Sea Isle City, the well-attended three-day competition netted over $1,500 for autism charities.
According to tournament organizer Jason Steelman, a year-round employee at Mike’s Seafood, this year’s Jersey Shore Striper Tournament included 37 boats, each with up to six crew members on board. There were also 35 other anglers competing, who cast their lines from the sand. Participation in this year’s tournament was up approximately 40% from the event’s inaugural run in 2010.
The tournament’s winning striped bass was caught by the crew of The Susie II, captained by Joe O’Donnell, 26, of Sea Isle City. Fishing with O’Donnell were Frank Berckman, 28, Scott Pearl, 25, and Kevin Hogan, 41. The four anglers reeled-in a 49.05-pound/49.50-inch bass, which helped them win the tournament’s top-prize, a new 14-foot Key West Skiff fishing boat with a 25 horse-power Mercury motor on a Venture Trailer.
The event’s second place winners fished onboard For The Buoys, which was captained by Dan Pettit, of Upper Township, and manned by Dan Pettit, Jr., Ralph Clayton and Greg Allen. The 41.80-pound striper they caught won them $1,000.
The crew of Dizzy Lizzy, captained by Richard Schad, of Upper Township, and manned by Joe Krajicek, Len Verity, Tom Schad and Matt Schad, received the third place prize of $500 for catching a 37.45-pound striper.
In the tournament’s Bluefish Division, anglers onboard Let ‘Em Run, captained by Cornelius Cahalane, of Barnegat, won the first place prize of $500 after catching a 14-pound bluefish. Captain Al Crudele, of Sea Isle City, and his crewmates won the second place prize of $350; and Captain Thomas Iwanicki, of Delran, and the other members of Team Sea Fox won $200 for third place.
The winning angler in the Youth Division was Matt Reilly, 14, of Plymouth Meeting, PA, who netted a 9.65-pound striper and $300. Additionally, fisherman Mike Cunningham, received a special “Helpers Trophy” for his assistance throughout the tournament.
During the tournament’s Awards Banquet, which took place at the Lobster Loft Restaurant following the third day of fishing, a 50-50 Calcutta drawing raised additional funds for Autism. Plus, each contestant at the banquet also had the chance to win one of nearly 30 door prizes donated by local merchants, which ranged from new fishing gear and hand-held global positioning systems to gift certificates and baskets of cheer.
“We are very grateful to all of our sponsors,” said Jim Bennett, owner of The Lobster Loft Restaurant and emcee of the award ceremony. “Many businesses helped make this event possible, including Cape Harbor Marine Services, Key West Skiffs, Mercury Marines and Venture Trailers.”
It was a wonderful event that was enjoyed by all,” said Mike Monichetti, owner of Mike’s Seafood Market. “We had very generous sponsors who donated some amazing prizes – and it was all for a great cause.”
The money raised during the 2011 Jersey Shore Striper Tournament will be combined with funds raised during the 2012 Polar Bear 5K Run for Autism, which will take place on Feb. 19 in Sea Isle City. That competition, which in three years has become one of the largest 5K’s in the region, benefits a variety of organizations that support families with autistic children, including Autism Awareness, Autism Faces and Ocean Academy.
Cold Spring – Going to be very interesting when the people who clean your chickens, farm your fields, work in meat packing, build your houses, are deported. Wait just wait. Prices are going to go higher. Say it…
