Star Island’s 30th Annual Shark Tournament held this past Friday and Saturday was a huge success with an emphasis on huge. The first day of the contest saw the largest mako, and likely the largest shark, ever entered in the event brought to the scales. The boat, Thor III, captained by Dave Meberg and his son returned to Star Island with a giant mako that tipped the scale to 730 pounds. Second place went to F.I.S.H for a 398-pound thresher, while third place fell to the boat, Locked Up, with an impressive 378-pound mako.
The tournament drew 133 boats and the prize money was as impressive as the winning fish. Over a half million dollars in cash and prizes were awarded to the winners, with Calcuttas providing a big boost. Thor’s big mako earned its crew $138,333. The crew on F.I.S.H walked off with $52,667, while the third place winner, Locked Up, settled for 2,500.
Thanks to Calcuttas, the biggest payout, $145,500, went to the boat, Double Trouble for a 200-pound blue shark. The crew on Reel Naughty scored a big payday with their 209-pound mako. It was worth $141,500. Others cashing in on the prize money were Breakaway with a 273-pound thresher worth $13,000, and Chaos with a 317-pound thresher worth $1,500. Including the $10,000 Calcutta worth $70,000, a total of $565,000 in prize money was dished out.
Only a handful of sharks were brought to the scales as anglers released any fish not in contention for the top spots, a practice that has become commonplace with many of the major tournaments.
Back on the other end of the Island, Freeport Hudson Anglers hosted their 44th Annual Shark Tournament. The boat Spare Parts, captained by Chris Wolfson, beat out 133 other boats with a 280-pound thresher worth $47,386. The angler was Nick Wolfson. Taking second place was Brianna captained by Anthony Coyle with a 274-pound thresher. Nick Coyle was on the rod. That fish was worth $57,494. Rounding out the top three was the Mako Wish II captained by Kevin Quinyon with a 261.4-pound mako worth $15,904 in prize money. A total of just under $250,000 in cash and prizes were awarded to participants.
Shark week continues next weekend with three more tournaments on tap including the Bay Shore Mako, Great Gun Anglers and Woodcleft Fishing Station contests.
