Star Island Yacht Club Hosts 29th Annual Tournament

PATCHOGUE, N.Y. - May 7, 2015 - PRLog -- Star Island Yacht Club (http://www.starislandyc.com/) has announced that it will hold its 29th Annual Shark Tournament on June 18-20. This annual Father’s Day event has become a Montauk tradition and a major happening, with over 100 boats participating annually, drawing thousands of spectators.

Cash prizes will be awarded for the heaviest shark in the tournament and the heaviest shark for each day. The top three prizes will also be awarded for the heaviest mako, heaviest blue shark and heaviest shark of another species.

In addition to this outstanding competition, all sportsmen can contribute to the study of the shark by tagging and releasing sharks that do not meet strict weight requirements.

In 2014, more than $485,000 in cash, prizes, and trophies were paid out. Over the course of two days, 117 boats and 702 anglers brought in 33 fish, including ten Makos, 14 Threshers and nine Blue Sharks. The heaviest shark was a 377-pound Thresher landed by Ed Groppe aboard Captain David Walters’ “The Reel Deal.”

Of the sharks that were weighed in, more than 750 pounds of edible shark meat was donated to the Long Island Council of Churches’ food pantry to help feed those in need.

The entry fee is $1,250 per boat. For sports fishermen who would like to get in on the competition but do not own a boat, the Star Island Yacht Club Charter Boat fishing fleet is available for hire for either one day or both days of the tournament. Each of Star Island’s boats can accommodate up to six anglers.

Star Island wishes to advise all prospective participants that, as per Environmental Conservation Law 13-0338, New York State law now requires that all shark tournament participants use non-stainless steel non-offset circle hooks exclusively.

Dockage is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Transient rates for the tournament are $5.50 per foot for up to 59 feet, $6.00 per foot for 60 feet and up. Utilities are $30 for 30-amp and single-cord 50-amp service and $50 for two-cord 50-amp service. In addition, Star Island now has high-speed fuel pumps.

To make your reservation, or for more information, call (631) 668-5052, or visit www.starislandyc.com.