Sports
Let the Fall Fishing Blitz Begin
Biggest striped bass earns more than just bragging rights in annual Montauk Surfmasters tournament, which starts in a few weeks.
With Labor Day around the corner, fishermen are already thinking ahead to the fall fishing blitz and the Montauk SurfMasters Fall Classic.
The 10-week striped bass tournament, which runs from Sept. 14 at 12:01 a.m. through Dec. 1 at 10 a.m., has five divisions: adult wader, wetsuit, women, youth (12-17 years old) and kids (7-11 years old). Kids can also catch bluefish.
The biggest fish ever in the tournament history was a 61.44-pound striped bas, measuring 55 inches long, caught by Mike Milano in 2006, according to Fred Kalkstein, one of the organizers. The tournament, he said, has become a local, community institution.
Participants have to weigh-in at one of three weigh-in stations — Paulie' Tackle, Star Island Yacht Club & Marina or West Lake Marina. The weigh-in master will give them a slip, which then has to be dropped off at Gaviola's Market or handed over to one of the committeemen.
The leader boards are updated regularly, Kalkstein said. Each month, the largest fish in the wader and wetsuit divisions gets $100, and $50 in the women's division, he said.
For members, the cut-off date for applications is Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. No late applications are accepted. A copy of this years tournament rules and application can be downloaded on the website.
The entry fees, which also cover the awards dinner that will be held at Gurney's Inn in Montauk on Dec. 14 are:
- Adult men's waders and the wetsuit division is $260, of which $200 will go to the winner's pot and $60 towards the awards dinner.
- The entry fee for the women's division is $160, of which $100 will go to the winner's pot and $60 towards the awards dinner.
Do you participate in the tournament? Tell us why in the comments below.
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