Whether you are yearning to test your fishing skills against other anglers, or just enjoy the camaraderie that permeates the tournament scene, June is ripe with opportunities. Shark, fluke and striper tournaments are all on tap this month.
The Suffolk Marine Anglers 10th Annual Striped Bass Tournament was weathered out on Sunday June, 3rd, but is a go for this Sunday, June 10th. It is based out of the Babylon Village Dock, with boundaries from Moriches Inlet to East Rockaway (Debs) inlet. Last year fishermen competed for nearly $20,000 in prize money. Proceeds from the contest go to Hospice Care Network. There is a catch and release category for the largest in length released striped bass, as well as a slot fish category, Calcuta bluefish category and a mystery fish. There is still time to enter. For more information go to www.suffolkmarineanglers.com or call 631-669-0907.
The Manhattan Cup Charity Striped Bass Tournament, and all-release event supported by Recreational Fishing Alliance based out of Liberty Landing Marina and Liberty House Restaurant on the Hudson River takes place this Friday, June 8th. Proceeds go to the Fisherman’s Conservation Trust with categories for wounded veterans, celebrity anglers, fly fishing, live release, private boat and more. For more information, contact tournament chairman, Capt. Frank Crescitelli at 917-468-4817 or [email protected], or call RFA at 609-294-3810. More info is also available at www.manhattancup.com and Facebook.
Out east, Star Island’s 32nd Annual Shark Tournament takes place on June 15 and 16, with a Captain’s Meeting on June 14 at 7:30 p.m. Cash prizes are awarded for the heaviest shark in the tournament and the heaviest shark for each day. Three prizes will be given out for heaviest mako, heaviest blue shark and heaviest shark of another species. The entry fee is $1,250 per boat. For more information, call 631-668-5052.
Jones Beach Fishing Station is hosting their Annual Showdown At The Shore, beginning Friday, June 15th and continuing through Sunday, June 17. This event is shore fishing only for striped bass, fluke and bluefish from Deb’s Inlet to the Fire Island Lighthouse. You can enter in person at the shop. For more info, call Capt. Ed Walsh at 631-559-5938.
On Saturday, June 16th, one of the Island’s largest shark tournaments, the Freeport Hudson Anglers 45th Annual Shark Tournament departs from the Town of Hempstead Guy Lombardo Marina in Freeport. The entry fee is $350 per boat. A mandatory Captain’s Meeting takes place on Friday, June 15 at 7 p.m. at the Marina. Over $250,000 in cash and prizes have been awarded in the past. For complete rules and a tournament application please visit www.freeporthudsonanglers.com or contact Dave Gross at (516) 286-8293.
An all new tournament, the AllPro Let It Go Fishing Tournament is set to launch on Saturday, June 16th. Eligible species include striped bass, fluke and sea robins. The entry fee is $279 and entries must be submitted on or before June 10, unless made in person at Bergen Bay Docks, 605 Bergen Ave, West Babylon. The final entry deadline is June 14th at 6 p.m. An optional captains meeting/bbq is free to all registered and participating captains on June 9 at Bergen Bay Docks. For complete rules and prize info, go to www.allprocharters.com.
The 44th Annual Moriches Anglers Shark Tournament is slated for Saturday, June 16 with a rain date of June 17th. A captains meeting will take place at 7 p.m. on June 15th at the VFW Hall located at 437 Montauk Highway in Center Moriches. The entry fee is 300 per boat. For more info go to [email protected] or call Chet at 631-878-9280.
The following weekend boasts several popular events, beginning with the 57th Annual Bay Shore Mako Tournament hosted by Bay Shore Tuna Club and based out of Nicky’s on the Bay. A captain’s meeting will be held on Friday, June 22 at 6 p.m. at Nicky’s. The entry fee is $400 per boat, with $20,000 in prize money awarded in previous years. There are divisions for Mako, Other Sharks, Tag & Release and Bluefish. Free docking is available for tournament participants. For more info, call 631-665-8757 or 631-626-7288, or go to bayshoretunaclub.com.
The same day, June 23rd, the Annual Woodcleft Fishing Station Shark Tournament goes off. The entry fee of $300 includes four cans of chum. All entry fees collected go to the winners with 70 percent to first place and 30 percent to second place, and there is a Calcutta available. All sign ups and weigh-ins take place at Woodcleft Fishing Station. For more info call 516-378-8748.
Also on the 23rd, is the Great Gun Anglers 42nd Annual Shark Tournament based out of Center Yacht Club, 222 Old Neck Road in Center Moriches. The entry fee is $300 per boat. There is a mandatory Captains Meeting on June 22 at 7 p.m. at the Center Moriches V.F.W. Hall. For more information, call Mike Lang at 631-903-5184 or Dave Priolo at 631-433-1200.
Far and away the biggest fluke tournament on the Island, Combs Bait & Tackle’s 24th Annual Duke of Fluke Tournament is set for Sunday, June 24th. It is based out of Amity Beach. The adult entry fee is $30 per person (cash only). There are cash prizes for 1st to 5th place, and prizes for 6th through 24th place. Last place wins a special prize of a $200 Combs Gift Certificate and there is a Calcutta at $25 per boat. The Junior Division entry fee for 12 and under is $15 with trophies to the top 3 places. The first 100 signups get a free Combs Terminator. The first 250 get a free T-shirt. Free burgers and hot dogs will served at the awards ceremony following weigh-in. For more info, call 631-264-3525.
A couple of month-long events also take place in June. The Surf Rats Ball Striped Bass Tournament kicked off this week and runs through June 30th. This catch and release event is hosted by surf guide Bill Wetzel and benefits the Kids Need More Foundation. It is followed by an annual shindig that is always a great time and is one of those must attend events for any surfcaster. Entry into the contest is free to any Surf Rats Ball member. If you are not a member, simply go to surfratsball.com, become a member, and be part of this wonderful event.
Miller Place Bait & Tackle is hosting a month-long Striped Bass Contest. You can enter at the shop for $10 anytime during the month but must be registered before entering a fish. Everyone who enters is entered in a raffle for a bucket of S&S Bucktails. First place is worth a $200 Gift Certificate to the shop, second is $100 and third is $50. For more info, call 631-849-5430.
