Update Sat..exciting weigh-in
The first fishing slot, Fri-Sat, ended 5pm yesterday.The group of
17 boats that left fridat trickled back to the Inlet beginning at 2:30.The second slot of three boats ( a last minute 5am entry) cleared the inlet at 5am to return Sunday by 5pm.
The first boat brought in a small bluefin caught at the 30 fathom curve followed by the rest of the participants whose catchs consisted mostly of 60lb class yellowfin caught by the SW corner of the Hudson.
Roughly 70% of the boats returned with a few nice fish which proved that the tuna are certainly there and scattered all over. There were reports of hordes of small 25lb yellows all over the Dip to the East and these smaller fish were also reported at the SWH. The marina's own 41 Albemarle proved to be a worthy, non competing entry, by bringing home 14 yellows to 66 lbs, all documented by the camera crew of Northeast Angling. I guess Albies are not just caught but do the catching as well! But overall it was a good harvest.
Despite the rain for an hour or so at the weigh in, there was a handful of spectators that either sipped a cool beer or slurped a cold Italian ice as the tuna were hoisted and weighed. Results were posted immediately on the tally board, and the winner changed regularly as a tuna a couple of pounds heavier took first place. It seemed like the cookie-cutter sized fish would be endless until late in the day rumors circulated about a BIG fish.
In the meanwhile the committee boat ushered in the remaining contestants, and alerted to those still not back that only minutes remained for the last call for this days returning boats. Unfortunately one boat that was only a few miles from the Inlet developed engine troubles in both ports so was not going to make the weigh in.This boat has been entered in all calculttas so the captain was disappointede that his fish would not be weighed in. After a brief discussion it was determined that he tuna would not be a contender, so this was a bit of a consolation.The ultimate prize of $47k would not be theirs.
As the committee boat completed its job, the big fish was being weighed. Rockaway, from Lindenhurst, had weighed in an impressive
207 lb Bigeye and jumped into first place. Very exciting.
The board was now pretty full with results, but the Sat-Sun group
is due in between 2-5pm Sunday for final weigh-in and final results
overall.
Sunday's activities will begin about 2pm with a barbeque, not sure if the tuna will be on the menu, more refreshments and Italian ices for sure! Rounding out the end of torurnament festivities will be 8 big money raffles. Tickets are $10 each and open to visitors, and spectators.Come enjoy the weighin commentary of Capt John Raguso and raffle skills of Dave Waboda throughout the day.
So far it has been a fun, well run, and competitive tournament and
the current 207 bigeye stands in first place. Check back later as rest of the fleet returns and weighs-in their potential challengers.
Good luck to all!
