ASA / South Jersey Marina Spring Striper Tournament

[Anngler]

Over the weekend I fished the Spring Cape May Striper Tournament with my dad and Capt. Hook Laconey. We had so much fun and shared some laughs along the way.

Day 1 (May 5, 2007):
After a week of anxiety and anticipation, Saturday morning finally arrived! My dad and I awoke before the sun and hopped in the truck. Stop at Wawa for coffee and munchies and then continue our drive to the marina, with Counting Crows blasting through the speakers. We met Capt. Hook at Hinch's marina and after we said our "good mornings" and "good lucks," we jumped on the boat and headed for the canal. Check out at the bridge with Ken and then ZOOM, down the canal we go. A wave to John (Admin) and then we made our way out into the bay. Riding up the bay in the new Contender (which ran so well), setting up, and waiting for lines in; all part of the tournament hype. After our 30 mile run up the bay, we started fishing. We had the outgoing tide with us for a good 3 hours. All of our bites were early, during outgoing. We caught 2 fish, both at around 20 pounds. When the tide began to turn, we made a move. We fished incoming a little further south of our first spot, with no action at all. Time was running down, so we packed it in and headed for the scales. Out of 42 boats, 12 weighed fish. At the end of Day 1, we had a 21.1 lb. fish.

Day 2 (May 6, 2007):
Again, we were up early and down at the marina before the birds were chirping. Our crew was the same, and a crazy one at that. As we made our way towards the canal, we saw the white caps in the back bay. That's when it hit me. WE'RE INSANE! White caps all over the canal and the horizon looked like a stampede of elephants. The ride to the fishing grounds was a bit rough, but the 25'S handled it well. The tides were earlier on Sunday, so we only had about 2 hours of outgoing. Once again, we moved south to fish incoming. Although it was a fishless, biteless day, I learned something. When you know the winds are blowing and the seas are going to be brutal and you go fishing anyway you know that fishing is a passion. It's when your dad is reading you the weather report and you say, "Let's go," even though the bay is going to be like an ocean. This weekend I finally realized why we fish. It's the excitement of wondering how rough or how windy, or how many fish and how big? Nobody wants to be scared while they're on the water, but everyone needs a little adventure every once in a little while! At the end of Day 2, 3 boats had weighed fish out of the 8 that ventured out to battle the weather. I claimed Top Jr. Angler, and we finished in 8th place.

Thanks to Ken and Kathy for yet another fun-filled tournament! Congradulations to Chuck (Tyman) and every one else who weighed fish in the tough conditions. Can't wait to see everyone at Annapolis!

[LuckyLady]

Pretty work as always Mod Squad!

See in you in Annapolis!

[OffTheHookB&T]

Congats Ann on the junior angler win and good showing Team Mod Squad

[Jackie-roo]

nice Ann Keep us posted

[ROCKHOUND]

great job mod squad!!!!!! you guys worked hard for your fish and it paid off. and you looked great in the new ride! see ya in annapolis this weekend.

Team Fountain "ROCKHOUND"
WWW.ROCKHOUNDSF.COM

[striper101]

Ann,
Nice work out there! And especially on sunday, putting up with the weather the way it was!!

BTW,
Tell your dad I'll give him a call tomorrow. Let me know if you need a hand on the Maryland tourney?

[#1Gaffman]

congrats ann.

Just another trophy for youre wall

[Anngler]

congrats ann.

Just another trophy for youre wall

Everybody has been saying that lately! Although it's feels great when you win something, it's not just about trophies and plaques for me! It's more about getting out on the water and catching fish!

[gman jr]

congradulations