31st Annual Offshore Open Tournament
Tournament Conclusion Press Release
The Manasquan River Marlin and Tuna Club held its 31st Annual Offshore Open Tournament from August 26th thru Sept 4th, 2011 at Crystal Point Yacht Club……………..and with great success! This tournament is the principal offshore tournament on the Manasquan River, and even Hurricane Irene could not deter the anglers. As the weather cleared on Tuesday, the fishing began and continued for 6 consecutive days. This year saw record sponsorship with 49 sponsors, record participation with 40 boat entries, and a record payout with more than $80,000 being awarded in cash prizes to the winners.
There were 13 different winners spread over a variety of categories including Tuna, Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Dolphin, Wahoo and Daily Tuna Jackpot. Tournament participants included MRMTC member boats as well as many non-member boats.
The weigh dock was a flurry of activity all week and especially Saturday night with continuous changes on the leader board until George Harms and Capt. Bob Matthews on the “Low Bid” brought a 276 lb big eye to the scales to win the tuna category. In addition, a 93 lb wahoo caught aboard the Crisdel won that division. Other winners included Al Bessemer aboard his “Linda B” with a 25.90lb dolphin; Steve Matthews on the “Pepper” in the White Marlin release division; and Rob Manetta on his “Tra Sea Ann” winning the Blue Marlin release division.
The MRMTC prides itself in that proceeds from the Offshore Open will be donated to MRMTC charities and fisheries support organizations. Last year’s recipients were The RFA, SSFFF and George Burlew Scholarship Fund. Additional tournament information is available on the MRMTC’s website, www.mrmtc.com.


Category Boat Name Participant Weight
Heaviest Tuna LOW BID George Harms 276.00 lbs.
Second Heaviest Tuna MARY KATE Nick Vlachos 101.00 lbs.
Third Heaviest Tuna BRENDA'S III Larry Grafas 65.50 lbs.
CALCUTTAS
Category Boat Name Participant Weight
Tuna Skill A
Heaviest Tuna LOW BID George Harms 276.00 lbs.
Second Heaviest Tuna BRENDA'S III Larry Grafas 65.50 lbs.
Third Heaviest Tuna TASHTEGO Rick Popovitch 62.15 lbs.
Tuna Skill B
Heaviest Tuna LOW BID George Harms 276.00 lbs.
Second Heaviest Tuna MARY KATE Nick Vlachos 101.00 lbs.
Third Heaviest Tuna BRENDA'S III Larry Grafas 65.50 lbs.
Tuna Skill C
Heaviest Tuna LOW BID George Harms 276.00 lbs.
Third Heaviest Tuna BRENDA'S III Larry Grafas 65.50 lbs.
Third Heaviest Tuna TASHTEGO Rick Popovitch 62.15 lbs.
Swordfish Calcutta
Heaviest Swordfish - - No Fish Weighed
Mahi Calcutta
Heaviest Mahi LINDA B Al Bessemer 25.90 lbs.
Wahoo Calcutta
Heaviest Wahoo CRISDEL Frank Criscola 93.60 lbs.
Daily Jackpot Calcutta
Daily 8/30 - - No Fish Weighed
Daily 8/31 PEZ MACHINE Stew Hitchner 59.15 lbs.
Daily 9/1 MARY KATE Nick Vlachos 101.00 lbs.
Daily 9/2 CANYON RUNNER John Bedner 58.50 lbs.
Daily 9/3 LOW BID George Harms 276.00 lbs.
Daily 9/4 CHESAPEAKE John Weiland 56.55 lbs.
Category Boat Name Participant Releases
Blue Marlin
Most Releases Tra Sea Ann Rob Manetta 2 Releases
Second Most Releases Bahia Moon Neil Franzoni 1 Release
White Marlin
Most Releases PEPPER Steve Matthews 2 Releases
Second Most Releases TIJERTA John Collins 1 Release