Great Gun Moriches Anglers host annual Striped Bass Fishing Tournament

The Great Gun Moriches Anglers hosted its 17th annual Striped Bass Tournament from Nov. 6 though Nov. 10.

The four-day tournament concluded at noon on Nov. 10 with a celebratory barbecue at Hart’s Cove Bait and Tackle in East Moriches.  The winner of the tournament was Kevin Schmitz, who caught a striped bass that was 31 inches long.  The tournament was one of the yearly events the Great Gun Moriches Anglers holds for the Moriches fishing community.

“[Our] annual events are [the] June fishing tournament, [the] July Take A Vet fishing, [the] Summer Fluke Tourney, and [the] Fall Bass Tourney,” Great Gun Moriches Anglers president Evan Goldstein said.  “The club is always looking for ways to promote camaraderie through fishing.”

Anglers wishing to participate in the tournament had to attend a mandatory captains’ meeting at Rock Hill Country Club on Nov. 6.  Participants also had to pay an entry fee of $60.  Great Gun Moriches Anglers director of communications, Tim Markart, detailed the rules of the tournament regarding what fish qualified for prizes.

“Anglers are allowed to fish from shore/surf or from boat,” Markart explained.  “With the New York State Regulations for striped bass, only fish within the 28 [inch] - 31 [inch] slot will be accepted for weigh in.  The largest three fish ‘by weight’ within the 28 [inch] - 31 [inch] slot limit will be the winners… Prior to [New York State] recently adjusting the regulations for striped bass, it was always the three largest fish by weight would be the winner.  With the focus now on rebuilding the striped bass population, anglers are now required to release all stripers over 31 [inches].  Note:  Most of the largest striped bass are female.  Therefore, releasing these large female stripers is critical.”

Goldstein and Markart also elaborated on how prize money was calculated for the top three participants.

“Prizes are determined by [the] total entry pool,” Goldstein said.

“Fifty percent of the entry fees (minus 20 percent for club operations expenses) will be paid to the first-place winner,” Markart explained.  “Thirty percent [goes to] second place, and 20 percent [goes to] third place.”

At the Nov. 10 barbecue, Schmutz was awarded $456.00 for his 31-inch-long bass.  Al Schmitt placed second with a bass of 29 inches, and Kevin Mendez won third place for a fish 28.5 inches long. 

“[The day was] awesome, great day fishing,” Schmutz said.

In addition to those prizes, the group raffled off a fishing rod and reel, as well as an additional cash prize of $130; the fishing rod and reel was won by Nancy Goldstein, while the cash prize was won by Frank Lapinski.

“[The barbecue] capped off a great day of fishing,” Lapinski said.

According to Markart, the Great Gun Moriches Anglers plan to host the tournament again next year. “The Great Gun Moriches Anglers Striped Bass Tournament is one of the longest-running events for the club,” Markart added.  “…[We] still have strong participation every year.  Fishermen, by nature, are very competitive, so I’d imagine it originated from that…  We anticipate hosting our annual striper tournament for many years to come.”