This weekend, you’ve got a couple of tournament choices in the Central and Northern part of the Garden State; it just depends on whether you’d rather compete for striped bass greatness, or tautog.
The Jersey Coast Shark Anglers (JCSA) will be hosting Striper Fever on November 18 and 19, a catch and release tournament for striped bass with captains choice (one of two days) or fish boat days with two paid entries.
The cost is $175 per boat (max of six anglers) with junior anglers 17 and under fishing free with paid registered adult. Prizes will be awarded on Tuesday, November 21st at 7 p.m. at the JCSA Clubhouse at 385 Herbertsville Rd, Brick Township, with prizes for first (40%), second (20%) and third (10%) based on the number of entries. To sign up go to jcsa.org.
On the Raritan Bay (and out of Shark River) this Saturday, November 18 you also have the Community Fire Company’s annual Tog Masters Blackfish Tournament. There are actually two weigh stations for the event, one at Leonardo State Marina in Leonardo on the Raritan, the other at Total Marina on the Shark River. Contest is based on a five fish total with weigh-in times from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m.
The captains meeting is Friday, November 17 at 7 p.m. at Community Firehouse at 75 Appleton Avenue in Leonardo. Cost of entry is $150 per boat for six anglers, $25 extra for each additional angler up to eight total. For more information contact Marc at 732-546-7114 or visit cfcstation4.org.
You of course also have another five weeks of competition in the 69th annual Long Beach Island Surf Fishing Classic which runs through December 10 with daily, weekly, segment and grand prizes for striped bass, bluefish, tautog and red drum. This Thursday, November 16th is a special daily cash day for the largest striped bass from 28 to 31 inches caught in the Classic earning a $250 cash prize. Another daily cash prize will be awarded on November 25, and the final special $250 daily award coming on December 2.
There’s still time to enter, and plenty of time to fish the 69th LBI Surf Fishing Classic. Register for $30 ($15 for kids 17 and under) at Surf City Bait and Tackle, Fisherman’s Headquarters or Jingles Bait and Tackle in Beach Haven. Follow along with the daily scoring at lbisfc.com.
