Andrew Milburn with a first place 38.1 pound striper
The First Annual Rusty Joe’s Striper Tournament was held this past weekend and it was a big hit. With weather starting to get on the colder and windier side you could not have asked for better weather. As most know Rusty Joe’s Marina is in Money Island, NJ and is has been renovated to a first class marina. Almost everything is new, there is bait, ice, tackle and gas.
The tournament was started at 0600 on Saturday morning. I am told that there were quite a few boats in the inlet waiting for the start. I got down at 0700 got the boat ready with Captain Dirk and Donna and we headed out. It was a nice day with a little chop. The fish were out there but we only found the blues. After getting bit off and run around a bit by the pesky fish we called it a day. We got back to the dock with two blues but they were not in the running for the money.
The Calcutta was an extra 25 bucks and Paul Laggy took the first day with a 34.7 lb Striper, Kenny Mack took the second day with the 38.1 lb Striper caught on his boat. Paul was in the driver’s seat for the second day with a nice fish. Unfortunately I did not get a picture of that fish. I did however get some nice pictures of Scott Miller, Mike Da’Fonso, Bill Murphy, Josh Berry, Jim Maropoulos, Pat Magnusun, Al nickels, Mike, John and Dave Gilligan. There were a lot of fish and if this keeps up Joe will need to replace the filet tables! When you came in there was hot food for all the fishermen and women. Some of the food included was Chili, Meatballs and Rigatonis, Pulled pork and baked beans, several types of salads and plenty of deserts. I sampled the pork, chili and meatballs, it was all delicious and the pulled pork and meatballs were very good.
Day two was a little sloppy at first. It was a little chillier that the day before with a little wind. It did however lay down, the sun came out and it was actually a nice day for November. The Bluefish were back with a vengeance. With blue fish taking bait and hooks we decided to call it a day at 2.
With Donna taking pictures and me taking names it was a good team. Along with some of the guys from yesterday we got a few others. We got Joe Volpe with his 28.5 lb striper. Bill Welsh, Tom Quinn, RT Souder (Mother Shucker), The guys from Snapper Head, again, and of course we got the winner. Andrew Milburn on Kenny Mack’s boat brought in the winner at 38.1 lbs. Kenny Mack brought in the biggest Blue at 13.7 lbs.
The food again was hot and there was no shortage. Everyone was a winner at the tournament. We all got out on the water and everyone came back in safe. The winners are listed below according to registered for the tournament.
I tried to get pics of everyone I saw with fish, if I missed you send me the pciture and I will post it. The bulk of the pictures are posted in the forums. Go to the forums, Delaware Bay, Tounament results.
Striper:
1. Kenny Mack 38.1 lbs
2. Paul Laggy 34.7 lbs
3. Mel Coombs 31 lbs
4. Joe Volpe 28.6 lbs
5.Gerard Rily 26.4
Blues: Kenny Mack 13.7
Catch em up,
Timmy T
Thanks to our many members for their continued updates to the current striper fishing conditions, especially you folks who have been logging in with such success in the Delaware Bay! I finally broke away from work on the 18th and got down to Fortesque. We booked a charter with Cap’s Lady (Captain Pat Tierno and Captain Larry).
I have said it before but this is one of the most comfortable charter fishing boats I have fished on. The crew does an unending job of working to keep you on the fish. We had great weather and a great day. Started off I caught 2 shorts (24″ and 26″), however some of my buddies were able to do much better. Mike came up next with a 38″ Striper – we didn’t have it weighed but I am guessing it was 30 plus pounds. I must compliment Mike on landing such a nice fish considering he was fishing with what I politely refer to as a ”bluegill rod”…..Mike is a freshwater fisherman typically and was using extremely light tackle…but all the more fun for him and us to watch as he fought to bring the fish into the boat. Bill came up next with a 33″ fish and then Mark with a 35″. We headed out at 8:00 and had caught these 5 fish by 10:30 before the bite slowed down.
We had plenty of fresh bunker, some crabs and eel, however we were doing well with the bunker so most of us stayed with that. Excellent day…good fishing and a great crew. If your looking to get out and have a party of six or more I strongly recommend Cap’s Lady, contact Captain Pat Tierno at (856) 447-0062.
Mike, Mark & Bill
****NEW ANNOUNCEMENT*****
You may not enter both tourneys. Thank you – Joe Acosta
Kate at Bay Point Marina reports that the Striper Tournament will be held next week end. Weather forced it postponed from this week end.
Joe at Rusty Joe’s will also be holding the first annual tournament next week end. Hopefully it will be a good week end and both will be a success.
There is a provision and you can enter both, check with Joe and Kate for details.
If you enter both you must follow the rules and get your fish weighed in at both. They do not have access to an official scale..
Captain’s meetings are Wednesday night for Rusty Joe’s and Thursday night for Bay Point.
Bay Point phone number: 447-9700
Rusty Joe’s phone number: 447-4974
Catch em up,
Timmy T
