JCAA/ TRUMP PLAZA
$41,000 JERSEY COAST FLUKE TOURNAMENT
SATURDAY MAY 27, 1995Don Kamienski - Tournament Director
(from Jersey Coast Anglers Association February 1995 Newsletter)
With only three months remaining until JCAA and the Trump Plaza casino conduct their first Jersey Coast Fluke Tournament, anglers across the state are already talking about the techniques they'll use to win the various cash and prizes that are being offered. This event will be the largest such event for 1995 in terms of the number of weigh-in stations, and the amount of cash and prizes that can be won by the participants for a single specie ....a whopping $41,000.
Since the tournament day (Saturday May 27th) is early in the fluke season, it's not likely that a large doormat fluke will take the top prize of $1,000 at EACH of the nine official ports. Rather, a medium size fluke will probably drop the scale's needle to the 3-4 pound range which could be sufficient to win $1,000. This translates into a fluke that is worth approximately $250 per pound. That's more expensive than lobster tails !!
Another unique feature about the Jersey Coast Fluke Tournament is that you don't need a large boat to compete in the event. Since the early season fluke population will likely reside in the ocean, back bays and tidal rivers of our state, the owner of a 14-22 foot skiff has just as much of a chance to walk off with the top prize of $1,000 as does an angler in a forty- foot cruiser. Also, if the weather isn't conducive to open ocean fishing , there's plenty of sheltered bays and rivers along our coastline which can offer some quality fluke fishing in late May for the participants.
Late May could also signal the presence of cold water temperatures which can make fluke sluggish as you drag your baits in front of their noses. The sharp fluke anglers in this tournament will have one hand on their fluke rod, and one eye glued to their onboard temperature gauge. They'll be trying to find the warmest water they can find which may coincide with an outgoing tide.
The entry blanks for the tournament are being distributed at various fishing expositions and boat shows by JCAA members. Copies of the entry blanks are also being distributed to all major tackle shops and marinas in the state. If your local tackle dealer doesn't have a supply of entry blanks, and you want to help promote the event, call JCAA at 908-506-6565 and we'll send you a supply of the entry blanks and tournament fliers. It's the members of each JCAA club, through their active participation, that will help assure that the event will be a success. Incidentally, has your club formed their top fluke fishing teams, and entered the contest? If not, don't wait too long !!
To address any questions about the event, JCAA has established a tournament hotline. If you need an answer to a question, call JCAA at 908-506-6565, and record your message on voice mail box #4. Someone from JCAA will get back to you as soon as possible with some assistance.
The Jersey Coast Fluke Tournament is not a cut throat event with a bimini start. Rather, it is an event that can be enjoyed, and won by family members who just like to fish together. A little luck often offsets a large amount of angling skill especially in fluke (summer flounder) tournaments.
To enter a team or a family in this event, send your check for $50 (payable to JCAA) to:
JCAA, 1201 Rt. 37 East - Suite 9, Toms River, NJ 08753
The entry fee covers six anglers per boat.