1st Annual Jersey Shore Striper Tournament Nets Funds For Autism Awareness

SEA ISLE CITY-– “Fish on!” and “Grab the net!” were shouted all along the South Jersey shoreline during the 1st Annual Jersey Shore Striper Tournament, an event sponsored by The Lobster Loft Restaurant and Mike’s Seafood & Dock Restaurant of Sea Isle City. The three-day tournament, which took place November 5-7, enticed 40 surf-fisherman and many other anglers on 26 boats to search for striped bass and bluefish in the Atlantic Ocean, back bays and inlets from Long Beach Island to the Delaware Bay. Gusting winds and choppy surf couldn’t stop the nearly 200 fishermen who participated in the tournament, all of whom seemed to take the surf conditions in stride as they vied for the top prize of $2000.
Shortly after the last fish was weighed-in at Mike’s Seafood Market on November 7, a banquet was held at The Lobster Loft Restaurant for all of the event’s participants. After enjoying a hearty seafood buffet and a number of fish stories, the fishermen listened closely as Event Organizers Jimmy Bennett and Mike Monichetti distributed dozens of door prizes, which were donated by over 20 local businesses and private residents, ranging from restaurant gift certificates to baskets of cheer to new fishing gear. Afterwards, the names of the anglers who reeled-in the tournament’s largest fish were announced.
The top prize of $2000 went to Joe Krajicek of Upper Township, who caught a 38.8-pound, 46-inch Striped Bass in the Delaware Bay. A member of “Team Schad,” Krajicek was one of five men who put their sea-legs to the test onboard “Dizzy Lizzy,” a 31-foot Bertram.
“It was rough out there, but it was definitely fun,” said Krajicek, who also said that his winning striped bass was the largest he ever caught. “We fished all day on Friday with few results, and then on Saturday morning, using bunker as bait, we reeled-in five stripers while on the Cape May side of the Delaware Bay. It doesn’t get any better than that!”
“It’s easy to see that this tournament is going to grow in popularity because everyone really enjoyed it,” added Krajicek. “Hats off to Mike’s Seafood and the Lobster Loft for hosting such a successful tournament with so many great prizes.”
Placing second in the Striped Bass Division was Tom Breazeale of Ocean View, who took home the 2nd place prize of $1000. Breazeale was fishing onboard his vessel, “Boomer,” with a four-man crew when he reeled in a 37.45-pound, 47-inch striper.
Matt Schad, Ocean City, 3rd place, also a member of “Team Schad” onboard “Dizzy Lizzy,” pulled in a striper that won him $500.
Two prizes were also awarded in the tournament’s Bluefish Division. John Mazurie, Jr. of Ocean View, 1st place, won $500 for reeling-in a 12.05-pound, 34-inch bluefish while onboard “Quick Fix” near Wildwood. Steve Cline, a fisherman onboard “Red Plumbs,” won $300 for second place.
Due to the fact that there were no entrants in the tournament’s Youth Division (under age 15), the event’s organizers added the $300 prize money in that category to the amount raised for Autism Awareness, clearly making the charity the biggest winner in the tournament overall. There was also a Calcutta 50/50, during which the anglers who caught the heaviest three striped bass “split the pot” with Autism charities. After receiving their prizes, the Calcutta winners graciously handed their cash prizes over to Mike Monichetti, adding that money to the funds raised for Autism as well.
“I am ecstatic!” said Monichetti, who is the father of two children with autism. “We raised in excess of $2000 for Autism Awareness, which was wonderful – and we gave families another reason to visit Sea Isle City in November. The tournament passed all of our expectations and was very well received, and next year it will be even better! Last week, a representative from East Coast Mercury Motor Sales learned about our tournament and said they would like to donate a new boat motor for next year’s competition.”