The 2026 Fred Golofaro Memorial South Shore Fishing Classic is officially in the books, and once again, anglers from across Long Island came together for a weekend of friendly competition, camaraderie, and some quality catches. Held over the October 23–25 weekend, the tournament continued its tradition of bringing the surfcasting community together while honoring the memory of the late Fred Golofaro, longtime editor of The Fisherman Magazine and a dedicated advocate for Long Island fishing.
This year’s event featured two divisions, striped bass and bluefish, with anglers putting in the time along the South Shore in hopes of securing a spot on the leaderboard. With the fall migration well underway, there were plenty of opportunities for participants to connect with fish, but as always, finding the right one when it counted was the challenge.
In the striped bass catch-and-release division, Franklin Salmeron claimed first place with an impressive 41-inch bass. Right behind him was Tony “Two Plug” Crisotomo, who finished second with a 40-3/4-inch fish, making for an extremely close race at the top of the leaderboard. Victor Deltoro rounded out the top three with a respectable 38-1/2-inch striped bass.
Over in the bluefish division, Nigel Brijlal took top honors with an 11-pound, 9.5-ounce bluefish. Scott Blasberg wasn’t far behind, securing second place with a 10-pound, 11-ounce fish. Both catches were excellent examples of the quality bluefish that make their way through our waters during the fall season.
While the competition is certainly a big part of the weekend, what makes this event special goes well beyond the fish brought to the scales or measured for the leaderboard. It’s an opportunity for anglers to get together, exchange stories, share their passion for fishing, and celebrate the legacy of someone who contributed so much to our local fishing community.
I want to extend a sincere thank-you to the New York State Parks staff for their continued support and assistance in making this event possible. Their efforts behind the scenes are an important part of keeping the tournament running smoothly year after year.
Another big thank-you goes out to Captree Bait and Tackle for serving as the tournament’s official weigh station. Their involvement and willingness to support the event are greatly appreciated. I’d also like to recognize New York Life for its support of this year’s tournament.
It was also great to have the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation join us once again. DEC staff were on hand conducting their Trade a Treble program, giving anglers the opportunity to replace treble hooks on their favorite lures with single hooks. This is a worthwhile conservation initiative that encourages anglers to consider ways to reduce potential hooking injuries and improve fish handling during catch-and-release fishing. Seeing the DEC take an active role at both of our Fred Golofaro Memorial tournaments this fall was especially appreciated.
Of course, none of this would be possible without the anglers who participated. Whether you finished on the leaderboard or simply spent the weekend making casts along the beach, your involvement is what keeps this tournament going. Fred was passionate about the sport and the people who make up our fishing community, and I think events like this are a fitting way to continue honoring his legacy.
As we look ahead to future editions of the South Shore Classic, we’re always interested in hearing from those who take part. If you have ideas, suggestions, or feedback on how we can improve the tournament, I’d encourage you to reach out. Whether it’s the tournament format, categories, or the overall experience, we’re always open to hearing what participants have to say.
You can email me directly at mbroderick@thefisherman.com with your thoughts.
Congratulations to all of this year’s winners, and thank you again to everyone who helped make the 2026 Fred Golofaro Memorial South Shore Fishing Classic a success. I look forward to seeing everyone back on the beach next year.
