By Capt. Robby Barradale
Hello, fellow fisherpeople! The Bob Kamienski/Hi-Mar Striper Club 40 Hour Tournament was held over the weekend. It began Friday evening at Bahrs for the captains’ meeting which featured a great buffet, a brief review of the rules, and giving out some really nice raffle items including beautiful items from sponsor Costa Sunglasses, ably represented by Jamie Troster from Eyes On First in Atlantic Highlands. The actual fishing began at 8 p.m. under “less than ideal” conditions but when it is time to fish, we fish! From the reports I received the weigh station was busy Saturday and right up until the final bell sounded at noon Sunday, with a lot of fat stripers being brought to the scales by the participating crews.
The club was very proud to have Pat Kamienski help oversee the awards ceremony at this first tourney honoring her hubby Bob, a fitting tribute to the legacy of the man who was Mr. Tournament for so many years. A big “Thanks!” to Tony Santoro for once again leading the way in 50/50 sales, Casey Campi and the committee for organizing and running the event, Mike McClean for operating the fillet knife to process donated fish for Bahrs to cook up for all, and to everyone who helped pull this off, I am sure Bob is up there smiling (or laughing!).
So what were the results? First prize went to TyMan with a 40.4 and 31.2 pound totaling 71.6 points. Second and third places went to Tenacity and Nauti Boy with matching totals of 60.2 pounds, but by virtue of weighing in earlier Tenacity was higher placed. (Ties go to first weigh-ins) the Youth Division was won by Matt Bush on Chum Box with a cool 23.8 pounder and the Ladies Prize was nailed by Megan Bowden on Insanity with her 25.2 pound bass.
Even though our focus this week was striped bass, there are other fish around. Chad on Tagged Fish continues to rack up impressive mixed bag catches of ling, cod, sea bass, and blackfish for his customers on deeper shaggy areas. A little closer to shore porgies are bending the rods, again on structure based bottom with fresh clams the bait of choice. Yellowfin and long fin tuna are patrolling the canyon edges way offshore, but be careful with this, it is that time of year when the weather can change quickly and a 100 mile run in sloppy seas is not fun.
I am chilling on a veranda on the island of St. John right now, and I am hoping to do some fishing. Hopefully I can report on this next week? Till then, Hook Em Up!
