While relatively cooler ocean waters and an outstanding spring striper run had hopes high for an active leaderboard on Friday, June 5, only 63 striped bass and nine bluefish releases were tallied during the 25th Manhattan Cup. That being said, the winning fish was a monster. Angler Mike Henderlong aboard Rockfish captained by Adrian Moeller took this year’s coveted Manhattan Cup for a 50-inch striper caught and released somewhere off the Jersey Coast.
With a field of 44 boats, there were 52 vets participating in this year’s Manhattan Cup, along with volunteers from Fin Chaser Warriors Outdoors who helped with all phases of the event. The 52 received rod and reel combos courtesy of Bob Feldsott and Tsunami Awesome Tackle.
The Christopher Raguso award for largest striped bass caught and released during the event by a service veteran went to David Decker at 47.5 inches aboard Ethan Levine’s Family Tradition, while combat vet Steven Geiger nabbed top bluefish at 20 inches while fishing with Mike Fromm aboard Atlantic Stabilizers.
The largest striped bass in the sportfish division was a 45.5-inch striper for Bob Boyce aboard David Glassberg’s Critter Catcher, while in the celebrity division it was Donnie Vendelen with a 42.5-inch striper aboard The Experience captained by Neil Franzoni. Vendelen is a South Carolina outdoors guide working with Manhattan Cup sponsors at Quantum who also graciously donated a special trip to his lodge that was part of the grand auction during the awards ceremony.
Capt. Andy LoCascio of Long Island Fishing Charters found the day’s best bite by heading up into Long Island Sound, scoring high hook award for Matt Kepke with six stripers. The LoCascio team also earned the Gray FishTag striper mount prize for tagging and releasing five stripers before 10:30 a.m.
During the awards ceremony, Feldsott, president at The Folsom Corporation & Bimini Bay Outfitters was awarded the Manhattan Cup’s annual Lifetime Achievement Award for his ongoing support for combat vets. Each and every year at the Cup, in addition to providing sponsorship, Feldsott also presents each wounded warrior participant a Tsunami rod and reel combo. When told he would receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Manhattan Cup, Bob remarked, “I’m too young to receive a life time award!”
“We strive to make the Manhattan Cup something special for our warrior guests and everyone who helps us make it the success that it has become,” said tournament co-chair Gary Caputi, adding “Our partners at The Fisherman have become a mainstay in promoting and covering the event so our hats are off to Mike Caruso, Jim Hutchinson and John DeBona for all the time and effort they put into it.” Learn more at manhattancup.com.
