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by Rich Esposito
(from Jersey Coast Anglers Association October 2001 Newsletter)
Words cannot begin to describe the
feelings I’m sure we are all feeling with the events that occurred on Sept. 11th,
a date that will surely stay etched in our minds for decades to come. It was reported that
we were spared the loss of one of us, John Toth, who served terms as President and Vice
President of the JCAA. John was in the first of the towers to be attacked, but by the
grace of God, was able to get out before the collapse, although he did suffer a minor
injury. He was extremely lucky, as a Good Samaritan helped him clear the area and helped
him make arrangements to get home. I know we all wish to extend our deepest appreciation,
not just to the individual who helped John’s, but to all those who are aiding in the
rescue effort of all those still trapped inside the collapsed buildings. GOD BLESS YOU
ALL!!
I want to urge all club reps to make
every effort to attend this month’s meeting, as the vote for the Sportsperson of the
Year Award will be held. As of this writing, we have two nominees. The two we have are
Gary Caputi and Bob DeLeonard and a short bio of each is at the end of my report. We will also be accepting nominations from the
floor prior to the vote. If you choose to nominate someone, please be prepared to give a
short bio, stating his or her qualifications and accomplishments, and how they have
benefited the recreational fisherman.
The preparations are being made for
the 3rd annual Sportsperson of the Year Dinner Dance, to be held on Oct. 28th
at the Crystal Point Marina. We need the support of all clubs to insure the success of
this, the 2nd largest fundraiser of the year. We are looking for as many clubs
as possible to sponsor a table of ten ($500.00), but if that is not possible, then
whatever you can afford. One club donated half, ($250.00), and their members paid the
balance. Others have sponsored all of it. We cannot tell you how to do it, but we do need
all clubs to be involved. We are also in need of door prizes, liquor for the basket of
cheer, and items for the silent and Chinese auctions. What more can I say? For more
information, you can contact Dinner Chairman Tom Siciliano at (201) 573-6363 or Al Marantz
at (732) 244-9350 (day) or (732) 280-2643 (night).
Speaking about the length of the
Monthly Meetings, I would encourage all club reps to read the newsletter prior to coming
to the meeting, as this should answer most, if not all the questions you may have, and to
help keep the meeting moving forward. We have to be considerate of those members who have
long drives home.
Please remember that the Governor’s
Surf Fishing Tournament is scheduled for Sunday Oct. 7th, at Island Beach State
Park. Let me remind you that last year over 1,200 people participated in this tournament.
They are in need of people with 4-wheel drive vehicles to volunteer to be beach judges to
measure and record the fish caught. They are also in need of rods and reels to be awarded
to the winners. For more information, please contact Paul Smith at (732) 899-2681 OR Bob
DeLeonard at (732) 793-8080.
Keep Thursday night, October 4th
or October 25th open if you want to catch more striped bass from a boat!!
The seminar on October 4th
will key in on the area between Shark River and Little Egg Inlet while the October 25th
installment will cover Sandy Hook through the Shrewsbury Rocks. Both very special evenings
will teach you the special Fall techniques you’ll want to know to help you catch more
bass.
The October 4th seminar at
the Toms River Holiday Inn will feature two speakers for the three-hour program, Gary
Caputi, author of the acclaimed book "Fishing For Striped Bass" and Pete
Barrett, editor of "The Fisherman." Tackle and fishing club exhibits will be
open from 6:30 p.m. and there will be many good buys and special deals from several local
tackle shops such as Fishermen's Headquarters, Reel Seat, Driftwood Lures and others. It
will cover wire line trolling, downriggers, super braid trolling, jigging, bucktailing,
clamming, plugging, snagged bunker fishing and inshore flyrodding. Besides the tackle
displays, Gary and Pete will have their personal gear on hand to demonstrate how they
fish. Also on hand will be displays and personnel from the Jersey Coast Anglers
Association, Recreational Fishing Alliance and the Berkley Striper Club.
If the Sandy
Hook to Shrewsbury Rocks area is your fishing grounds, then you will want to attend the
seminar scheduled for October 25th at the Tinton Falls Holiday Inn featuring
top area captains Phil Sciortino and Jerry Beaver. Both Jerry and Phil are experienced
striped bass specialists. They will cover a wide variety of techniques from trolling to
jigging to live bait fishing showing you how and where they do it.
The informal settings for these
special seminars allows plenty of time for questions and this interactive program will
encourage audience participation. Do you have questions on tackle rigging, trolling
strategies, eeling, electronics, knot tying, boat handling and lure selection? Bring them
along and get the answers you need to catch more fish.
Both seminars
will have the exhibit tables opened at 6:30 and the seminar will begin at 7:30 and run
through 10 pm. Admission for either seminar is only $10 (anglers under 16 and spouses are
$5), and there will be door prizes, handouts and special surprises. Call 732.295.8600 for
additional information. Pre-registration is not required.
Contributions to Jersey Coast Anglers
Association have been made on behalf of the following departed angler: George Magee on
behalf of his Son John Magee by DHS Regional Schools, Cherry Hill Campus. Also
contributions by Pete & Beth DeFao, Mr. & Mrs. George Pastor, Eleanor Cummings,
& Raymond Weston
Gary Caputi has been an active member of JCAA
since the late 80’s. While he covered
and participated in JCAA work as a staff member of the Fisherman Magazine, he became even
more active as representative for the Northeast Mako Owners Club, eventually being elected
to serve as vice president from 1994 through 1997. Gary
was our striped bass advisor to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission for a
number of years, giving up that assignment when he was appointed to the Mid Atlantic
Marine Fisheries Council in 1995 at the urging of JCAA board and members. He is now in his seventh year on the MAMFC winning
strong support for two reappointments. He serves on numerous committees and is currently
the chairman of the Habitat and Information & Education Committees. He has testified
before Congress on behalf of JCAA and his fellow fishermen on several occasions.
Whenever Gary is asked to volunteer
his time for a special job, his response is always yes.
He has been instrumental in helping make the JCAA Newspaper the nationally
recognized information source it has become and he continues to edit many articles and
contribute as a writer/reporter. When we need someone to attend special meetings or
hearings or conduct a meeting, Gary makes himself available. In his role as an outdoor writer, he always
highlights conservation and protecting the rights of the recreational angler. While he may not mention JCAA in all of his
articles, his steadfastness to JCAA principles is always obvious and his loyalty to this
organization is proudly displayed.
Many JCAA members and fishermen
around the state recognize Gary as the master of ceremonies at our Jersey Coast Fluke
Tournament or at our annual awards dinner where his skill are impressive, but most never
see the hundreds of hours he spends each year at meetings, writing articles, talking to
decision makers and politicians and helping JCAA in variety of ways. And for all this his salary continues to double
yearly. Multiply times zero and its still
zero.
Bob DeLeonard has been nominated for JCAA
Sportsman of the Year. He serves as the President of NJBBA and Vice President of United
Mobile Sportfishermen (UMS). His strategic plans within New Jersey and up and down the
Atlantic coast have produced a record number of volunteer hours for natural resource management and preservation by
members of the Associations, as well as other aligned organizations. While this leadership effort alone produced
exemplary results, the two Associations were beset with a record number of beach access
issues, the likes of which have never been seen before. Obtaining accurate information to
develop effective action plans was Bob's most time and effort-consuming endeavor. Bob
persevered, prevailed and inspired others to make a difference on the issues. By building coalitions of diverse user groups, Bob
has been able to put forth contemporary ideas to re-habitat endangered species and
maintain public access. In spite of
tremendous consternation and challenge, Bob has remained a model of reasonableness and
perseverance to overcome counterproductive efforts.
His commitment to see efforts through to compatible results has been a model
of leadership & management and has inspired others to support our resources.
