Many back bay summer flounder fishermen in the southern half the Garden State are chomping at the bit for the May 22 opener. For anglers on the Little Egg and Great Bay grounds, the two weeks of reconnaissance will prove beneficial to a double-shot of tournament fluking on June 5.
The 8th Annual Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) Bass River Summer Flounder Tournament out of New Gretna and the 2nd Annual Raging Raymond Fluke Tournament in Little Egg Harbor will both be contested on Saturday, June 5. In speaking with the tournament organizers, tournament flukers can enter both tournaments, or choose their individual preference.
The RFA’s “Bass River Classic” will be held out of Viking Yachting Center on the Bass River and is presented this year by Ocean First Bank and Barlow GMC. Cash prizes totaling over $3,000 will be awarded to the top three boats in the contest ($1,500, $1,000 and $500) based on combined weight of the heaviest two summer flounder; RFA and Yamaha Marine Group will also be giving away $1,000 to the boat that lands the heaviest summer flounder during the one-day tournament, while the largest summer flounder over 11.5 pounds will win $50,000. Registration is $110, and proceeds from the Bass River Classic benefit RFA and the Local PBA 295. Go to BassRiverClassic.com to enter.
Just up the road a bit at the American Legion Post 493 at 420 Radio Road Little Egg Harbor, organizers for the 2nd Annual Raging Raymond Fluke Tournament have an entry fee of just $60 for their June 5 contest, for up to four anglers. The captain’s meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at the American Legion, with events scheduled there starting at 2 p.m. on Saturday.
Prizes in the Raging Raymond Fluke tournament will be awarded for first, second and third place, the two heaviest fluke, with special option calcuttas for both fluke and bluefish. There also be food and drinks at the Saturday event, with a Chinese auction and 50/50, with funds going to benefit Nemours DuPont Pediatrics sites in Deptford and Cherry Hill. Tournament organizers Alex and George Gaudlap are running the event in support of their 4-year-old son Raymond who was diagnosed with a newly discovered gene mutation in June 2020. “Due to the genetic condition, he also has Cerebral Palsy,” the Gaudlaps said, adding “with your contribution, you can help support patients and families receiving services at Nemours DuPont Pediatrics Deptford and Cherry Hill.”
Cash or check for entry can be made out to Raging Raymond Fluke Tournament, mailed to 215 Rhode Island Road, Browns Mills, NJ 08015. For details call 609-845-7653 or visit Facebook.com/ragingraymondtournaments.
