Back again this year is the Riverview striped bass tournament sponsored by The View Restaurant in Oakdale and Lessings Inc. on November 8th which also happens to be Election Day. The captain’s meeting for the event will be Monday, November 7th, at 6 p.m. You can also register for the tournament during that meeting.
Entry for the event is $100 per angler. And as extra incentive the first 200 signups will also receive a hat and drink koozie this year. The awards dinner will follow the final weigh-in and, I have to say, the food is always spectacular at this event. After the awards, there will be a raffle with an array of different prizes that include tackle, rods, reels, coolers, etc.
On the fishing side of the event, cash prizes will go to the 15 largest stripers and the fishing is usually pretty hot at the time of this event. This year seems to be even better than the previous ones so far so if I had to make a prediction I’d say we’re going to see some great fishing again for this one.
All fish must be in the 28- to 35-inch slot limit and must be caught on rod and reel with live bait, lures or a combination. Fishing is restricted to the Great South Bay and Fire Island Inlet, east to Moriches Inlet and west to Tobay Beach. Boat numbers will be provided and must be displayed. No fishing alone. Fish that are caught should be kept on ice, they cannot be held in live wells. All fish must be weighed in by 4 p.m. on Tuesday. Fish must be brought in on the boat it was caught on. Any boat breaking down or needing assistance to the scales will be disqualified. Any boat assisting another vessel in distress will be allowed to weigh in late (maximum 2 hours). All decisions by the Weighmaster are final. All anglers must present wristbands to attend awards dinner.
This year the event benefits two groups; Send A Kid Fishing and Challenging Anglers. A little on send a kid fishing: After the sudden passing of Fred Golofaro, the fate of the Send A Kid fishing program was uncertain. Fred was in charge of the group at the time of his passing. The Golofaro family was excited to announce that Send A Kid Fishing Sportfishing Fund, a 501c3, will live on as they carry forward Fred’s special project that he tended to for 30 years. Having sent more than 15,000 kids on free fishing trips, their mission is to continue to expose and educate the future generations about the world of fishing and conservation. They’re working on accepting electronic payments for donations but in the meantime, donations by check can be sent to: Send A Kid Fishing, PO BOX 21, Patchogue, NY 11772. For more information about the program and to inquire about a trip for your group, please check out our website at www.sendakidfishing.com and email program director Paul Golofaro at Paul@SendAKidFishing.Com. A very special thank you from the family for the continued support from generous donors as they enter the 31st season of sending kids fishing. Then other group, Challenger Athletics Inc. (challengersports.org)
is an organization dedicated to providing sport programs to people with learning disabilities and physical disabilities, who, because of their disability are unable to participate in mainstream programs. It is also their goal to enlighten the community and inspire athletes to exceed their potential and reach for the stars. In 2019, Challenger Athletics teamed with The Ty Hellriegel Peregrine Foundation, (tysreef.org) creating Challenger Anglers. Every summer, Challenger Anglers & Ty’s Reef take kids fishing.
T-shirts are also available for purchase at the event for $40 and $5 of each t-shirt sale will go to Send A Kid Fishing. From the $100 entry fee $10 will be taken from each signup and given both of the benefiting groups.
I’m looking forward to coming down to the weigh-in and dinner. The event is always a good time and I along with some of the staffers from The Fisherman look forward to seeing you there.
