Baseball legend, Wade Boggs, and Brian Olaughlin hoist two nice stripers during the Manhattan Cup.
On Friday, May 18, 2007, the Fishermen’s Conservation Association (FCA) hosted the 9th Annual Manhattan Cup “catch and release” charity fishing tournament in New York City. Despite choppy conditions caused by winds that gusted to 25 knots, all but a few of the 52 expected guides set forth from Chelsea Piers, taking 150 anglers on an exciting quest for striped bass, bluefish and weakfish-all within mere miles of the famed Manhattan skyline.
Manhattan Cup founder and co-chair David Fallon said that when Cup participants started catching fish in local waters – including a large number of striped bass literally in the shadows of the Statue of Liberty-the event realized its mission: raising awareness of a thriving local fishery that is both largely unknown and in need of protection. “The purpose of the Manhattan Cup is to connect people to the local fishery environment in a profound, lasting and fun way,” said Fallon.
The FCA Manhattan Cup’s professional fishing guides provided their boats and expertise to individual teams competing for the largest striped bass, bluefish and weakfish among three categories (fly, artificial and bait). Like the tournament itself, the number and size of the captains’ fleet has grown over the years. In the late 90s, the event may have had a couple of dozen boats, with one or two topping out at 25 feet. This year, boats ranged from 20-38 feet and many capable of speeds of 60 miles per hour.
The awards ceremony was highlighted again this year when fellow participant and music legend Clarence Clemons joined the band with his saxophone for several songs. Baseball’s Hall of Fame Wade Boggs was also on hand and took top honors in the celebrity category. The Manhattan Cup Trophy for largest striped bass overall went to participant Doug Logan and Captain Fletcher Chayes with an impressive 36.34 pounder that was caught and released in the lower New York Harbor. To learn more about the FCA visit www.joinfca.org.
Other awards that were given out went to the following:
**Largest Striped Bass Caught & Released – Bait Division – Sponsored By Redington
Andrew Levey & Captain Steve Pagidas – 32.96 lbs
Largest Blue Fish Caught & Released – Bait Division – Sponsored By Redington
Shawn Gallagher & Captain Rich Swisstack – 17.59 lbs
Largest Bluefish Caught & Released – Artificial Division – Sponsored By Berkley
Michael Caruso & Captain Anthony Grassi – 7.84 lbs
Largest Striped Bass Caught & Released – Fly Division – Sponsored By Sage
Alan James Robinson & Captain Vince Matsui – 10.84 lbs
Largest Bluefish Caught & Released – Fly Division – Sponsored By Sage
Graham Uffelman & Captain Bryan Goulart – 7.59 lbs
High Hook Award – Most Striped Bass Caught & Released by an Angler
Alan James Robinson – 12 Striped Bass – Sponsored By Urban Angler
Most Striped Bass Caught & Released by a Captain
Captain Vince Matsui 12 – Average Number of Bass – Sponsored By Urban Angler
Private Boat Division – Largest Striped Bass Caught & Released – Sponsored By Vineyard Vine
James Giacalone & Captain Mick Kalishman – 17.35 lbs
Private Boat Division – Largest Bluefish Caught & Released – Sponsored By Vineyard Vine
Andrew Madoff – 6.13 lbs
Smallest Striped Bass Caught & Released – Sponsored By Habana Joe
John Colgate – 1.20 lbs
Ocean Beach Marine Conservation Award –
Brad Burns – Founder and Inspirational Leader of Stripers Forever**
