The Manhattan Cup Charity Striped Bass Tournament is scheduled for June 3 at Liberty Landing Marina and the Liberty House Restaurant in Jersey City, NJ.
The Manhattan Cup is an all-release tournament that encourages tagging. Winning fish are determined by a simple length/girth measurement with photo verification to insure maximum survivability. Certified measuring devices and tag kits will be provided, and a portion of the revenue generated is dedicated to a special tagging program that implants Gray FishTag Research satellite tags in mature striped bass.
The Manhattan Cup brings combat veterans to fish the tournament in a special Warrior Division aboard boats donated by area charter captains, light-tackle guides, and anglers. Most are dealing with invisible wounds such as PTSD and an introduction to fishing has helped many with the difficult transition to life after combat.
The Manhattan Cup is a first-class event that includes a pre-fishing breakfast at the captain/angler meeting, box lunches, and an awards dinner/BBQ held in the shadow of the Freedom Tower at the Liberty House Restaurant. The tournament also features celebrity guest anglers including the NFL’s Clark Harris fresh off his Super Bowl appearance with the Cincinnati Bengals, as well as astronaut Bruce Melnick, three-time shuttle pilot and the first man to complete an untethered spacewalk. The Cup will again honor FDNY hero and warrior aviator MSgt. Christopher J. Raguso, who lost his life on a rescue mission during Operation Inherent Resolve in Syria in 2018.
There are several ways you can enter or support the event. Captains can donate their boat and services for the day by signing up on our website or by calling Capt. Frank Crescitelli. Anglers can enter as a team and fish from their own boats in the Sportsman Division. Angler teams can purchase a professional captain and boat for the day or enter as an individual and be assigned to a charter boat.
You can help support transitioning combat veterans and striped bass conservation by entering to fish in any of the categories or by making a tax-deductible charitable donation. Visit manhattancup.com for details. If you have questions call John DePersenaire (609-576-4421), Gary Caputi (732-740-9982), Capt. Frank Crescitelli (917-468-4817) or Mike Dean (917-873-6651).
