While their traditional summer tournament has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 crisis, the Jersey Coast Anglers Association (JCAA) is pleased to announce that they will be running their Heavy Hitters Fluke Tournament from August 7-9.
“For eight years in a row, we have had bad weather or a bad weather forecast on the day of our traditional tournament,” said JCAA member and tournament organizer Paul Haertel, adding “Therefore, this tournament will run for three days with hope that we will have good weather on at least one day. We realize that not everyone can fish two or three days, so to be fair to everyone, each boat will be limited to fishing only one day.”
Each entrant will choose one of the available fishing days to compete, with the first through fifth place based on the total weight of each entrant’s three largest fluke. “This will take some of the luck factor out of the tournament,” Haertel said, adding that the Heavy Hitters Fluke Tournament will also be limiting the number of anglers to four per boat.
Based on a minimum of 250 boats, the first place finish will get $5,000, second will win $2,500, third receives $1,500 and fourth and fifth place finishers will receive gift certificates from tournament sponsors. Additionally, there will be a $1000 cash prize for the largest fluke caught in the tournament and a gift certificate(s) for the largest sea bass.
Entrants must weigh in their fish at Atlantic Bait and Tackle in Middletown, Fishermen’s Den in Belmar, Captain Bill’s Landing in Point Pleasant, Creekside Outfitters in Waretown, Fisherman’s Headquarters in Ship Bottom, Great Bay Marina in Little Egg Township, One Stop Bait and Tackle in Atlantic City, Fin-atics in Ocean City, or Jim’s Bait and Tackle in Cape May by no later than 5 p.m. on their designated fishing day. There will be no captains meeting or awards ceremony.
Entry fee per boat is $125 by August 1, or $150 after. Sign up online until 11:59 p.m. on August 6 at www.jcaa.org. For more information contact Paul Haertel at 973-943-8201.
In addition to the cancellation of the regular JCAA fluke tournament and the organization’s annual Sportsperson of the Year, JCAA’s Tom Fote also reported that the 2020 Governor’s Surf Fishing Tournament sponsored by JCAA and run through the New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife has also been cancelled in 2020.
According to the New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife, everyone who had mailed in registration forms will be contacted, and refunds will be issued to those who had checks deposited.
“We are planning two more raffles to try and make up for the loss of this year’s events revenues,” said JCAA’s Tom Fote, noting that they will need the help of JCAA member clubs to help in selling these tickets and increasing sponsorship of JCAA to make up for loss revenues.”
“One important item and for your information when we reviewed JCAA insurance coverage, viruses are exempted in JCAA’s polices,” Fote said, adding “It is important that you check on your club’s insurance.”
