Whether you fish hard or are just a casual angler, any subscriber can win in The Fisherman’s season-long, multi-species, region-wide, point-gathering, “subscriber only” fishing competition.
Once again for 2023, you could win a brand new Steiger Craft 21 Classic center console powered by a Yamaha 150 outboard motor, a Hummingbird APEX 13 Mega SI+ Chartplotter, an 87-inch, 112-volt Minn Kota Riptide Terrova Trolling Motor and an Orion Offshore First Aid Kit. That total prize package for one subscriber to The Fisherman Magazine is worth more than $76,000 and it could be yours.
Our second place prize in The Fisherman’s Dream Boat Fishing Challenge will spend four nights and five days at Marine Pez Vela in Costa Rica with three other friends or family members, a $10,000 prize package. And our third place winner will paddle off in a Sea Eagle Fishing Explorer 350fx fully rigged to fish.
But this year, The Fisherman’s subscribers will get more chances to win with special “wild card” prizes interspersed among 70 slots on the big board. One good fish in any of the top 10 positions across seven different species categories – 70 spots in all – will earn you a prize in 2023, like a SIONYX Nightwave unit for “night vision” navigation (valued at $1,595), or an Engel EN80 Cooler. There are also four different Accurate Fury Reels on the Dream Boat big board this season as wild cards, with more high-end gear being added throughout the season.
For The Fisherman’s owner, publisher, hunter and prize gatherer Mike Caruso, the goal is to find even more great prizes as the season progresses so our loyal subscribing members have more reasons to fish. “We want you to win, that’s the bottom line,” Caruso said while announcing the launch of our Dream Boat Fishing Challenge for 2023. “At the end of the competition, there are 70 chances to win as a member of The Fisherman this season, and now you have a better opportunity to win than ever before.”
START YOUR ENGINES!
The tournament season kicks off again on May 1, 2023 and continues until November 30, 2023 with subscribers in all three editions (New England; Long Island and Metro New York; and New Jersey, Delaware Bay) competing to weigh in qualifying fish at their local, participating tackle shops. There are seven different target species – blackfish, bluefish, fluke (summer flounder), scup (porgy), black sea bass, weakfish and sea robin – with 10 individual places for each. (Official Rues)
Each position on the board has a points value, 10 for first all the n way down to one point for the 10th position in each species. At the conclusion of the Dream Boat Fishing Challenge on November 30, we’ll count up all of the boxes on the board and the one angler with the most points overall will win the grand prize package (followed of course by our second place and third place finishers).
Everyone’s a winner of course; just by finishing the season with your name in one of those 70 positions on the big board, you’ll get a package of Owner America Hooks 5315 SSW and a Tsunami Lure valued at more than the $29.95 cost of your subscription entry. And of course, we still have our seven Fish of the Month prizes with a Tsunami Shield Reel paired to a Tsunami Armortech Rod with Dexter Outdoors DX8F extreme Dual Edge filet knife; each prize package will be awarded to the top Fish of the Month entries including weakfish (May), sea robin (June), fluke (July), black sea bass (August), porgy (September), bluefish (October), and blackfish (November).
There are also seven Largest of Species Prizes with each top prize winner getting a fish mount of that species from Gray Taxidermy along with a pair of Fin-Nor Sunglasses.
But here’s the exciting new wrinkle for ’23; on Friday, April 28, 2023 at noon, Mike Caruso and The Fisherman staff will go live on our Facebook page with 70 labeled ping pong balls in a metal bingo tumbler. Caruso will draw entries from the cage live and assign the Wild Card Prizes for 2023. Various awards gathered thus far include the Engel cooler, Accurate Fury Reels and SIONYX Nightwave unit, as well combo prize packs from Yo-Zuri – but there’s more to come.
“We’ll be going to ICAST again in July to meet the tackle manufacturers as they launch new products for the 2024 season, I’m hoping to bring an extra bag to Florida this year for lugging home new prizes,” Caruso said, explaining that he hopes to add plenty of additional Wild Card Prizes throughout the tournament season. “We’re adding this new category for 2023 to inspire The Fisherman members to remain engaged through the entire fishing season, while providing a little random excitement to another tournament season,” he added.
The Wild Card positions will be identified on the standings board in the magazine and on TheFisherman. com; but you can expect to see more live announcements on Facebook in the coming weeks and new wild card prizes added to the big board. “This is our 22nd season of Dream Boat competition, and we continue to make changes to the contest as our subscribing members to The Fisherman continue to provide more input,” Caruso said.
RETIRING CHAMPS
One of the big things we’ve heard from members in recent years is that competing against former Dream Boat champions can be a little difficult. While previous grand prize winners have not been eligible to win a new Steiger a second time, these hardcore tournament competitors have qualified for other prizes on the big board. That too will change in 2023.
“I think perhaps the biggest change to the Dream Boat Fishing Challenge in 2023 is that previous grand prize winners cannot enter,” said Caruso, while explaining “We’re clearing the way for new talent to rise to the top and win the Steiger Craft and other prizes.” However, that’s not to say that we don’t want to offer those loyal members of The Fisherman another shot at a prize. “We’re talking this year about ways to develop a special tournament just for previous Dream Boat grand prize winners, so stay tuned for that as well,” Caruso added.
It all starts with a subscription to The Fisherman Magazine. If you catch any of the magnificent seven species of fish throughout our region, check the big board for the minimum size to see if it qualifies. Bring that fish to weigh-in station at one of our participating tackle shop weigh stations (see official rules and weigh-in station listing in our May issue and on TheFisherman.com), have the weight, length and girth of that fish certified by the folks at the shop and send your entry along with a photo to the home office, by mail (Dream Boat Fishing Challenge, PO Box 395, Mt. Sinai, NY 11766) or email (dreamboat@thefisherman.com).
The full set of Dream Boat Fishing Challenge rules can be found online at TheFisherman.com and on our Official Weigh-In Forms available at participating tackle shops. Join us on April 28th at noon at www.facebook.com/thefishermanmagazine for the official Wild Card Prize unveiling, and make sure you’re a ubscriber to fish hard and win come May 1.
Good fishing to all
Additional rules apply. See Official Rules at https://www.thefisherman.com/the-fisherman-2023-dream-boat-fishing-challenge-official-rules/
21 Classic Center Console Boat
The 21 Classic has been a fixture in Steiger Craft’s fishing boat lineup for over 30-years. There are many good reasons for this longevity and universal appeal. Accordingly, it was the logical choice to be the upcoming 2023 Fisherman Dream Boat Contest’s #1 prize.
The 21 Classic has been a fixture in Steiger Craft’s fishing boat lineup for over 30-years. There are many good reasons for this longevity and universal appeal. Accordingly, it was the logical choice to be the upcoming 2023 Fisherman Dream Boat Contest’s #1 prize.
For more information go to www.steigercraft.com
Yamaha F150XCA Outbord Motor
The F150 is one that started it all and it’s more popular than ever. Powerful, light and compact, it’s mechanical or digital compatible and uses integrated steering, making it more streamlined and responsive than ever before.
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Compatible with mechanical, digital or Helm Master® EX boat controls
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Comes with integrated electro-hydraulic steering for digital models and integrated hydraulic steering for mechanical models
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25” shaft
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Powerful 50-amp alternator (2.8-liter digital)
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Minn Kota Riptide Terrova Trolling Motor / 112lbs of thrust / 87” shaft / i-Pilot Link GPS System
Riptide Terrova answers every question and leaves no doubt. Power? It’s got 112 pounds of thrust. Control? i-Pilot® Link™ Integrated GPS trolling system including Spot-Lock®, and Humminbird® fish finder integration. Stow and deploy it effortlessly with new Lift-Assist Design. And stealth? It’s a Riptide®.
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Humminbird APEX 13 MEGA SI+ CHARTPLOTTER
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Marina Pez Vela – Costa Rica Fishing Destination
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Fishing Explorer 350fx Fish Rig Package
Explore More Fishing Locations with this Tough As Nails Fishing Kayak! The Sea Eagle Fishing Explorer is a robust, beefed up, fully accessorized version of the rugged Explorer Series. Designed by and for avid fishermen. Featuring: double layered, nearly indestructible, tough as crocodile hide, 2000 Denier reinforced protective layers, 6 built-in rod holders, forward and aft spray skirts with Sea Eagle exclusive accessory belts to hold your tools, hooks, and lures, a fully adjustable foot brace called the FlexBrace™, 40″ FishRuler™, anchor trolley D-rings, a huge max load capacity of 575 lbs., and is completely self-bailing. So bring on the roughest conditions and still get to those fish!
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Fish Mount From Grays Taxidermy
Receive a life like fish mount replica of your fish.
Gray Taxidermy is proud to say that we are the largest marine Taxidermy company in the world, handcrafting the finest quality and most realistic custom trophy fish mounts in the industry. Our company has been in business for over 50 years, giving us the knowledge and experience to create your trophy fish mount of a lifetime. Each and every trophy mount is tailor made with attention to every detail of your catch, a real one-of-kind work of art. Knowing that the trophy mount we build represents a memory lasting for years to come, and earning a repeat customer by providing exceptional customer service is by far our greatest reward.
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Fin-Nor Sunglasses
Fin-Nor engineers were tasked with one job: to create a lens unlike any other, designed with anglers in mind. What they’ve created was a 7-layer lenses that are carefully crafted to provide ultimate performance in a durable package ready for on-the-water action.
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Tsunami Shield Reel
The Tsunami Shield series of Salt waterproof spinning reels feature up to 13 internal seals in key, strategic locations to shield critical components from harmful saltwater intrusion. The internal seals, super smooth and strong CF3 carbon fiber drag system and 5 sealed stainless steel bearings are wrapped in a hybrid machined aluminum body combining protection, precision and toughness. The heavy-duty rotor brake controlled bail system and precision machined aluminum, braid-ready spool assure the best control of super braids cast after long cast.
The 5000 and 6000 Shield reels contain 13 various internal seals at all of the locations where salt water could reasonably be expected to penetrate the reel for even greater protection in these larger reels. Hybrid all metal construction includes precision machined aircraft aluminum and tempered aluminum precision stampings and heavy duty protective anodizing to keep these reels operating up to factory specifications year after year. The combination of these top-notch designs and precisely mated components are what make the Tsunami Shield spinning reels an all new contender for your favorite reel for years to come!
Tsunami Shield Spinning Reels Features:
- 10-13 internal seals for water resistant protection
- Aluminum body
- Machined aluminum spool, rotor, side plate cover, and handle arm
- 5 sealed stainless steel bearing system
- Braid ready spool
- Carbon fiber drag system
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Tsunami ArmourTech Jig Spinning Rod
New for 2023, the ArmourTech line of rods was built to be a bulldog, plain and simple. With a helically wrapped carbon blank and solid carbon tip, these rods can muscle up the biggest and meanest game fish from the deep. Available in 2 boat spin models and 3 jigging specific spin models, the ArmourTech line is ready and able.
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Dextreme Dual Edge 8″ Flexible fillet knife Product model # DX8F
Developed specifically for anglers, the Dextreme series features a 2-in-1 blade and an ergonomic handle engineered to deliver great cuts with no compromises. The dual blade enables you to cut through scales without dulling the fillet blade for a more efficient fillet with just one knife! Use the upper Tiger edge to cut through scales and tougher surfaces while preserving the fillet blade’s sharpness. Then flip the DEXGRIP™ ambidextrous handle and use the lower blade for precision work. The comfortable, non-slip handle accommodates any hand and finger position for greater control. The flex blade is perfect for filleting Seabass, Stripers, Toutog, Tuna, and more. Sharp, flexible and durable, you’ll find this 2-in-1 knife is all the knife you need.
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Owner SSW 2o Pack of Hooks
Features include black chrome finish, up-eye forged shank and reversed-bend super needle point.
Click here for Information About Owner Hooks
Tsunami Soft Bait Swim Shad Lures
All of these lures are tank tested to assure proper performance and strike triggering action. Precise weight balancing designs in all models ensure a tumble free casting performance. The field testing is also apparent in a better-balanced swimming or jigging action.
(1) Winner – Sionyx Nightwave
Nightwave is an ultra-low-light marine camera that allows mariners of all levels to easily spot obstacles and debris in moonless starlight without white light or expensive thermal cameras – navigating safely, avoiding collisions, and maximizing time on the water. Featuring <1 millilux moonless starlight sensitivity, with Nightwave, you will see well beyond human eyesight. The 44º field of view increases situational awareness so you can spot unexpected markers, vessels, land formations, and more. IP67 rated, submersible to 3 ft for 30 minutes, you can safely use Nightwave in inclement weather conditions. With easy mounting and setup, Nightwave can stream video to a mobile device via WiFi or the all-new SIONYX app. Users can directly connect to a vessel’s MFD via analog output, displaying clear color digital night vision.
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One (1) Winner – Engel 80 Cooler
Engel, the original high-performance roto-molded cooler was built for toughness and durability. With a full 2 inches of closed-cell foam insulation in the lid, on the sides, and the bottom, helping to retain cold and ice for up to 10 days.
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Four (4) Winners – Accurate Fury Reel
The Fury is Accurate’s entry into the single drag market. These reels are designed with all the precision and power you come to expect from Accurate, with competitive pricing for those anglers on a budget looking for the best value. Fury reels are offered in both single and 2-speed models. These reels offer the same features as our top of the line reels such as the Accurate-exclusive stainless steel ARB and a sleeved spool for max free spool.
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Ten (10) Yo-Zuri Prize Pack