Being in all the Calcuttas was the key to success for the second place boat in Mako Mania as Water Proof won the biggest share of the purse for their 218-pound mako even after being pushed back by Thor's 276-pounder.
Tournament director Capt. Pete Grimbilas noted, at last night's awards dinner in River Rock at Brick, that he majority of Mako Mania proceeds end up back in the ocean in the way of new artificialef structure" -- alluding to the photo display of structure, at a cost paid by the GPPCBA of over $140,000, that was recently deployed on the new Manasquan Reef.
He further noted "There's also a charitable component to our tournament. For the past three years we made a contribution to Deborah Heart and Lung Center in Browns Mills which is an unbelievably great hospital. This year, due to a personal family crisis, the Tournament Committee agreed to donate a percentage of the Calcutta profits to the Lustgarten Foundation to help fund pancreatic cancer research." At the ceremony a $6,538.00 check was presented to a representative from Lustgarten.
Winning boats and prize money:
1st PLACE 'THOR' $19,125
2nd PLACE 'WATER PROOF' $144,165
3rd PLACE 'THE RIGHT PLACE' $12,276
4th PLACE 'SEAQUESTER' $7,878
5th PLACE 'TROPHY HUNTER II' $1,800
6th PLACE 'IMPRESSIONS' $900
The Golden Eagle from Belmar reported a return of big blues for jigging as they ranged from 5 to 15 pounds.
Days of south winds have hurt inshore bottom fishing. I felt like I was gong to be frozen in place this morning while wading the Spring Lake surf in shorts.
The first party boat doormat fluke I've heard of so far was caught aboard the Atlantic Star from Atlantic Highlands on June 27 -- a 10 5/16-pounder by Ben Santos.
Though surf fishing has been slow, the Seaside Park tackle shops are enthused about crabbing off local docks.
Sea bass become legal again on Saturday, but only as a by-catch of two at the 12 1/2-inch minimum.
