The ongoing COVID-19 crisis has led to so many event cancellations in 2020 that The Fisherman’s editorial staff has had a difficult time managing our regular Calendar of Events feature.
As we’re now officially heading into the summer months, our team was able to track down a few updates to the tournament schedule for June. Of course, due to the pandemic, it’s important for interested contest participants to call or email the tournament organizers to check on event status.
The folks at Lewes Harbour Marina have rescheduled the Joe Morris Annual Canal Flounder Tournament date a couple of time to accommodate the ever-changing guidelines and restrictions out of Delaware. That contest to support the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network will officially get underway on Friday, June 5 starting at 7 a.m.
Entry fee is $40 per angler paid to Lewes Harbour Marina in Delaware, with tournament boundaries for this “summer flounder only” tournament from the Rehoboth Bay Canal Entrance to Roosevelt Inlet entrance, and Broadkill River to Oyster Rocks Road. Contact Lewes Harbour Marina at 302-645-6227 or visit them on Facebook or at LewesHarbourMarina.com
In South Jersey, the folks at Grassy Sound Marina have their 14th Annual Grassy Sound Flounder Tournament set for June 27. Prizes will be awarded for heaviest summer flounder (first, second and third), three heaviest fish combined, and the Daisy Mae Award for 11th heaviest flounder, with prizes in women’s, youth, pier and kayak divisions as well.
For entry forms visit GrassySoundMarina.com or call the marina directly at 609-846-1400 for tournament details.
For those looking to compete along the offshore grounds, South Jersey Marina is holding strong to their 2020 tournament season calendar, with what could be one of the only mako shark tournaments along the Atlantic Coast. From June 3-6, the 40th Annual South Jersey Shark Tournament will once again live up to its name as “The richest shark tournament in New Jersey.” It’s captain’s choice, fish two of the three days, competing against an average purse of around $325,000.
According to South Jersey Tournament director Aaron Hoffman, the anglers have spoken and the big show must go on. “There’s been a lot of calls for it, and there’s been a lot of interest, so we’re taking what people want to do and we’re going get them out on the water for another great event,” Hoffman said. Due to guidelines and restrictions surrounding the COVID-19 crisis, Captains meeting and hospitality nights will probably not be held, but Hoffman said “people will still get their value for the tournament,” as the South Jersey Tournament team plans to deliver food and goodies to the boats.
Weigh-ins to be held at South Jersey Marina in adherence to the government’s “social distance” guidelines; that means the scales will be closed to the public. “Participants and spectators are both encouraged to follow the entire event through our South Jersey Tournament App available for both IPhones and Androids in the Apple App Store or Google Play, Hoffman noted, advising folks to search for the South Jersey Tournament name and logo for the download. “Get the most real time tournament updates for this year’s South Jersey Shark Tournament along with the rest of our renowned big game fishing events we all look forward to each summer season,” Hoffman added.
Other South Jersey Tournaments to follow include the MidAtlantic Tuna Tournament from June 17-21, another captain’s choice event where tournament teams can fish two day trips or one overnighter. Then on July 4th it’s the MidAtlantic Cup, an exclusive winner-take-all blue marlin tournament.
For information regarding the June 3-6 shark tournament, the June 17-21 MidAtlantic Tuna Tournament, or the Independence Day MidAtlantic Cup, contact South Jersey Tournaments at 609-884-0177 or to go www.southjerseytournaments.com.
