Fishermen from across Long Island are invited to cast their lines in Manhasset Bay on Saturday, June 16, for the second annual Striped Bass Tournament, hosted by the Manhasset Isle Civic Association.
The tournament was the brainchild of Peter Muff, the vice president of MICA.
“I’m a big fisherman and so I recommended that we have a tournament, and the board agreed to it,” he said.
The cost for participation in the tournament is $25 per person. Children over the age of 8 must be signed up in order for their fish to be weighed. Sign-ups will take place during a captains meeting on Thursday, June 14, at 6:30 p.m. at the MICA marina located at 1 Sintsink Dr. West in Port Washington.
Muff said that the event does not make much money for the organization. Most of last year’s funds went to cover the cost of the tournament, with the small amount left over going toward other MICA programs. But Muff said he still goes through all the trouble because he enjoys fishing.
“My father took me fishing as a kid and I took a liking to it,” he said. “I’ve continued to fish throughout my life, including when I moved to Port Washington 12 years ago.”
He added that 35 participants took part in the first edition of the tournament.
Fishing will begin at 6 a.m. and will end at noon, when the weigh-in will be held. Each participant will receive a raffle ticket from Muff at 6 a.m., which must be turned in to have the catch weighed.
Those who place in the top three will have the opportunity to win back their entry fee, and then some. The first place prize is $300, second place is $200, and the third-largest fish will net $100.
Last year’s winner was Mike Denn, who caught a 35-pound striped bass.
For those whose catch places fourth or beyond, there will be door prizes and a 50/50 raffle. There will also be hamburgers, hot dogs and beverages following the tournament.
