May 3rd, 2008
A field of 46 boats set out from Cape May, New Jersey and nearby ports into a thick fog and brisk east wind looking for the cow bass that would take the win in the ASA'a Mercury/ASA Striper Tournament Series sponsored by Fountain Power Boats. New to this year's event was a 26-foot and under category, and a conversion from two days of competition to one, these factors combined to a 31% increase in boats participating according to ASA President Ken Wente.
Fishing has been slow to take off this year according to the general angler sentiment, and the short line-up of boats coming into the weigh station at South Jersey Marina bore this out. Of the 46-boat field only 8 boats came to the scales, meaning that just catching fish put you in the money. Team Mod Squad's 28 Contender Captained by Matt Unsworth took First Place honors, weighing a 43.05-pound total, and had Ann Unsworth, Sydney Unsworth and Connor Rowe share the Junior Angler win.
The largest bass of the tournament was a 38.6-pound cow brought in by Team Pirasea, and the Ladies Division was won by Mary Inman fishing with Team Big Dog. The new 26-foot and under category was taken by Team Finn-Addict Four. The next event in the ASA Striper Tournament Series is less than two weeks away as the tour heads to Bahrs Landing in Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey on May 17th. Information on this event, and the complete tour schedule can be found at www.fishasa.com.
The final results are as follows:
- 43.05 pounds - Captain Matt Unsworth of Team Mod Squad - 28 Contender -$5590
- 41.50 pounds - Captain Jim McIlhinny of Team Just Released - 33 Contender -$2684
- 38.60 pounds - Captain Karl Bauz of Team Pirasea - 38 Fountain - $3306
- 36.20 pounds - Captain David Nova of Team Marlin Maniac - 38 Fountain - $1150
- 16.90 pounds - Captain John Lamour of Team Animosity - 25 Parker - $920
- 14.00 pounds - Captain Daniel Avena of Team Gold Rush - 28 South Port - $690
- 12.10 pounds - Captain Fred Alward of Team Finn-Addict Four - 26 Seaswirl - $920
- 11.75 pounds - Captain Chuck Arnold of Team Big Dog - 36 Contender - $690
(photos courtesy of the ASA)
