The Jersey Coast Anglers Association (JCAA) held a new format fluke tournament on August 9, the JCAA Heavy Hitters Fluke Tournament. A three-day event that allowed participants to fish one of those three days, there were 85 boats entered with most fishing nice Saturday and Sunday conditions.
“While fishing was slow for some boats, other boats had outstanding catches,” said tournament director Paul Haertel who said the tournament was based on total weight of the three heaviest fluke caught on each boat. “The big winner was Matt Sorrentino who fished with Capt. Tony Pacitti aboard his Parker that does not have a name,” Haertel said, adding “The crew also included Tony’s dad, David and their friend Joe Damiano.” Their three-fish total had a combined weight of 24.42 pounds with Sorrentino leading the day with a personal best 9.92-pound fluke which was also good for single prize was awarded for the largest fluke in the tournament. The team also swept all the Calcuttas and won a total of $14,684.
Dennis Machamer continued his hot streak in tournaments while captaining his new boat the Mistress. His crew’s three fish total was 20.56 pounds, with Anthony Pansini’s crew coming in just behind with a total of 20.4 pounds. Their catch included an impressive 9.64-pound fluke.
“The top three finishers in the tournament all weighed in their fish at Fisherman’s Den in Belmar,” Haertel noted, adding “That might be an indication that the best fishing was out of Shark River Inlet but how far they ran is unknown.”
Fourth place went to Robert Murdza and crew with a total of 19.26 pounds and the fifth place went to Rick Pagliuco and his crew with a total of 17.79 pounds. The JCAA Heavy Hitters Fluke Tournament also had a single prize for the largest sea bass which was won by Robert Dalglish with a 3.26-pounder. However, because Robert did not enter the sea bass Calcuttas, both of those cash prizes went to Haertel and his crew with a 2.48-pound sea bass caught by Ryan Loughlin. Their winnings totaled $3,413.s
