Team Triton Mercury not only won the May 31 FLW Outdoors Striper Series Tournament at Atlantic Highlands Marina in N.J., but set a record for the Striper Series in the process. That unique artificial lures only event is restricted to stripers in the 28-to-34-inch size range retained in special tubes that will keep them alive for weighing and release. Dave Lilly of Hazlet, N.J. was the local expert who joined Capt. Andy LoCascio of Northeast Fishing TV, Capt. Dave Chieffo from Block Island, and Capt. John Luchka of Bordentown, N.J. as they trolled Secret Spoons where Lilly had located bass in Raritan Bay the day before. While that worked, they also had stripers come up to the surface on bait at the same time and were able to catch them on Yo-Zuri Surface Cruisers. The two largest in the slot limit totaled a record 36 pounds, 2 ounces to win the $10,000 first prize easily and set a new standard for the format. Team Keepers, led by Matthew Fleischer of Niantic, Ct. was second at 33 pounds, 4 ounces for $5,000, and Steve Howell of Paxton, Ma. skippered Team Lowrance to third with 32 pounds, 4 ounces worth $3,000. Fourth and $2,000 went to Team Barnegat Light led by Lewis Falgado of Neptune, N.J. with 30 pounds, 10 ounces; and Kathleen Hughes of Eatontown, N.J. was skipper of Team Prime Coat Sports that won $2,000 for fourth with 30 pounds, 4 ounces.
