Hadn't thought about that. Don't know if we rate a statement but perhaps a few sentences if Toby were so inclined to include it with that of others.

Important to note: Narragansett Surfcasters have done the same thing: http://narragansettsurfcasters.com/club/

I am working on an editor's log on the subject which will appear in the magazine due out the week of the tournament. If I could get notice of any other clubs that will be participating on a C&R basis as they join up I will include them as well.

So far I have the following:
Connecticut Surfcasters
Striped-Bass.com
Narragansett Surfcasters
Massachusetts Striped Bass Association

Probably to late to ask, but, does anyone know if they offered the three day beach driving pass this year?

Yes-same deal as last year. For details e-mail gannetgil@cox.net but hurry there may be a deadline for sign-ups.

Any thoughts on how S-B is going to handle the 2015 tournament? The organizers have increased the minimum size for striped bass to 36 but there is no catch and release division/option.

This is starting to sound like what the Tri-State fishing Tournament has done for years. Way to go and great to see.

OK, I agree. Next year the M/S tournament will be catch and release for Striped Bass. and maybe Bluefish. It will mean a lot of work, new set of rules, how to measure, how to present pictures and do you have to fish with someone or can you fish by yourself. Some people will not be happy. We can discuss this more over the coming year.

I would also like to thank all the clubs that will support the
the M/S tournament even though they will not turn in fish.

Thank you,
Jim

:claps:

Bravo

:jump:

Awesome Jim!

Great news!!! :cheers2: :cheers2: :cheers2:

No kill for S-B
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Awesome news!
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Terrific news Jim. The MS has been CSA tradition dating back in the nineties.. Yes times have changed but the the reason for the tournament remains, MS. CSA has been proud supporters of the MS society throughout the many years whether through the MS tournament or through our yearly club MS raffle. Members always look forward participating yearly. We at CSA actively urge membership camaraderie and the MS yearly fall tournament solidifies our club concept. Thanks again Jim and the organizers.

Can we get some dates and info on the tourny?

Thanks!

This is good news, let's get fishing!

That's my signature on my posts.

May I remind all surf casters that this year's MS Tournament there are two important changes:
1. A one (1) striped bass/person/day limit
2. A 36'' minimum length

I was able to get the $15.00 three-day pass again for this year.

This is all really awesome to hear!

2015

“ SURF CLUB CHALLENGE “

“22 YEARS”


Hello:
We would once again like to cordially invite your club to participate in the annual
Surf Club Tournament. All proceeds are to be donated to charity in the name of each participating club

The tournament dates are Oct. 16, 17 and 18.

NOTE:

THERE WILL BE (3) WEIGH STATIONS THIS YEAR

THE MINIMUM LENGTH FOR STRIPED BASS WILL BE 36 IN.

NOTE:

There will be 3 day beach passes available for the tournament. The cost will be $15.00. A detailed explanation on how to get the passes will be e-mailed out to each club in September.

Anyone who would like to join in and help out with the tournament is welcome.

We look forward to seeing you this fall.

Sincerely,
Jim McKeough

CONTACTS:

Jim McKeough Steve Andrus
9 David Ave. Cell Phone 413-537-3261
Westerly, Rhode Island 02891 E-mail saajr53@comcast.net
Tel. 1-401-348-0132
Cell Phone 401-405-6015
E-Mail jdmckeough@verizon.net


“ SURF CLUB CHALLENGE “
STRIPED BASS - BLUEFISH - SURF FISH TOURNAMENT

This TOURNAMENT the Surf Club Challenge was established in 1993. The purpose is to bring together Atlantic Coast Surf Fishing Clubs, in an effort to unite members from different clubs and regions, to meet each other, discuss fishing and conservation in their respective areas. All proceeds are donated to charity in the name of Surf Fishing.

DATE AND TIME:

START -FRI. OCT.16, 2015 - 6:00 PM
ENDS - SUN. OCT. 18, 2015 - 8:00 AM

ENTRY FEE AND REGISTRATION

1.) A $75.00 donation is required from each club participating in the tournament
2.) Please send in your entree fee by October 10, 2015
3.) 2015 donations will be made to the M/S Society. Make checks payable to the M/S Society.
4.) All clubs participating in the tournament are requested, prior to the start of the tournament, to send in a list of members who will be fishing in the tournament. Clubs can fish with as many members as they wish This list can be mailed in or dropped off at Cardinal Bait & Tackle or sent to Jim McKeough before the tournament begins.


RULES
1.) All organizations participating in the tournament must be a club, fresh or salt water.
( officers, by-laws etc.)
2.) FISHING AREA: Napatree Point to Narrow River Narragansett, Rhode Island.
( NO BLOCK ISLAND )
3.) All fish must be caught from the Shore/Surf and weighed at
Cardinal Bait & Tackle in Weekapaug, R.I. , Snug Harbor Marina in
Wakefield, R.I. and Quonny Bait and Tackle in Charlestown, R.I.
4.) In the event a tie occurs: The measured length of each winning fish will
be added to the total weight.
5.) All fish will be measured from the nose to the end of the tail.
6.) All fish weighed and entered in the contest, will be entered in the book by someone
other than the person who caught the fish.
7.) After a fish is weighed and entered in the contest a punch mark or knife cut will
be made near the tail.
Note: If the angler is going to mount the fish the mark or cut is not necessary.
8.) Rhode Island Fishing/ Beach Regulations will be adhered to at all times.
9.) All anglers fishing in the tournament must have a valid saltwater fishing license.
( Rhode Island License -- License from another State
10.) Note: Striped Bass must be 36 inches minimum length to enter in the contest.


AWARDS:

1.) Surf Club Champion. Determined by the combined weight of the
(3) heaviest Striped Bass and the ( 3) heaviest Bluefish from a participating club
A continuing trophy with the surf club champions name and year will be awarded.
The winning club maintains the trophy for ( 1 ) year.

Note:
There will be awards given for the Largest Striped Bass and the Largest Bluefish.

The first pick of the raffle table will be awarded for the Largest Striped Bass and the Largest Bluefish.

FISHERMEN'S BREAKFAST

The fishermen's breakfast and awards ceremony will be held at the Andrea Hotel located on Atlantic Ave. in Misquamicut, R.I. at approx. 8:30 am Oct.18,2015.


WEIGH STATIONS

CARDINAL BAIT AND TACKLE SHOP ( CONTEST HEADQUARTERS )
CONTACT: Mike Cardinal
660 ATLANTIC AVENUE
WEEKAPAUG, RHODE ISLAND 02891
TEL. 401-322-7297
Cell 401-588-9004
E-mail -- www.cardinalbaitandtackle.com

HOURS:
FRI. CLOSES at 5:00 PM,
SAT. OPENS at 5:00 AM CLOSES AT 5:00 PM SUN. OPENS 5:00 AM


SNUG HARBOR MARINA
CONTACT: AL CONTI
410 GOOSEBURRY ROAD
WAKEFIELD, R.I.
TEL. 401-783-7766

HOURS:
FRI. CLOSES at 6:00 PM.
SAT. OPENS at 6:00 AM CLOSES AT 6:00 PM SUN. OPENS at 6:00 AM.


QUONNY BAIT AND TACKLE
CONTACT ROBIN OR JEFF NASH
5223 B OLD POST ROAD
CHARLESTOWN R.I.
TEL. 401-315-2330
CELL 413- 330-5037

HOURS:
FRI. CLOSES AT 6:00 PM
SAT. OPENS AT 6:00 AM CLOSES AT 6:00 PM
SUN. OPENS AT 6:00 AM


I will need a volunteer to pick up the fish affidavits at 8:00 AM at Snug Harbor Marina and Quonny Bait and Tackle and deliver them to Andrea Hotel by 8:30 AM
Sunday Oct. 19, 2014


Special Invitation by RIMS

RIMS welcomes all Surf Club Challenge participants to the RIMS cabin for a Saturday morning breakfast Oct. 18. ( 8:00 am to 10:00 am )
RIMS breakfast consists of eggs, bacon, home fries, orange juice and coffee.
RIMS cabin is located on Quonny beach.
Directions.
Go past the Weekapaug Breech Way until you get to the Weekapaug Fire District Beach.
Drive thru the dirt parking lots until you get to the sand trail, follow the sand trail until you see RIMS cabin on your left.
4 wheel drive is required.

I just received word that the Narragansett Surfcasters Club will not participate in the tournament until such time as SB are fully C&R. :uhuh:

I would be interested in supporting the Tourney, but as a C&R Participant - with the concurrence of the people that would fish for Team S-B.

Jim, I know going to C&R actually makes things more difficult but it really is the best way to go.

No back breaking work of hauling your bass back to the car! It's different, less energy, but it is easy after the first fish or two on the C & R option. Also, you can continue to fish after you get a "qualifyer"...otherwise your done for the day!!

Not to rain on the parade but that is my beef with catch and release. No end to hooking fish and 1 in 12 die after being released. For instance with the Striper cup tournament if I catch a fish to weigh in on Monday I am done fishing until next Monday. Less fish hooked equals less impact overall.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Well, you would need to catch and release 12 fish to equal every one you keep.

That's true but weighing in does limit the amount of fish hooked and time spent fishing, kind of a limt if you will. Catch and release goes until a person is exhusted, which to me means more fish hooked. Last Tuesday I took one for the table but going by the average mortality rate of my releases I probably killed 5 others...it was an amazing day but very few of size so I carry some guilt myself.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Um, you might also catch and release a dozen fish before you catch the one you weigh in. I imagine most people dont weigh the first fish they bring to hand. C & R is not perfect. A bluefish only tourney would still result in striped bass being accidentally caught and then released. But C & R is better for the population than a tourney that requires weighing fish at official stations and shops
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

BTW, curious, where does that 1 in 12 mortality rate for C & R figure come from?
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Six of one half dozen of the other catch and release is still the way to go from a conservation standpoint and as a member of the Narragansett surfcasters I fully stand by the decision.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

There are plenty of sources to find catch and release mortality rates and it really shouldn't be hard to either verify the 8% or discredit my 1 in 12 die statistic.
Think about how much handling and how much time the fish is out of the water for photographs. Is that really conservation of the species? If I catch a fish that won't compete it is released immediately with very little handling. If I catch a fish that will compete I am done fishing not only for the day but for the week.
If a catch and release tournament has no limit on the amount of fish hooked photographed and released then it is indeed causing more harm then having a size limit and one fish per week limit.
I think it is great that groups can get together and initiate change but to look at catch and release as being somehow better for the fish, I don't see it. Remember not everyone is going to agree nor are they required to, not here anyway.
Like I have said before what are the limits on fish caught for catch and release tournaments? When does a fisherman have to put the rod down and stop hooking fish?
Once again I think it is great that some groups can get together and initiate change but I for one don't believe that catch and release is less harmful.
I would rather see some limit on the number and types of hooks that can be used. I find 1 treble on a plug and circles for bait is adequate and causes minimum damage to the fish and/or the fisherman. Also release time is reduced using one treble and circles.
How about a limit on the gear used? One of the things I hated in Mike Laptew's Stripers gone wild dvd was when he said stripers on light gear what could be better....how about stripers on gear that is capable of landing the largest striper swimming efficiently....yeah that would be better.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

The CT surfcasters also voted not to participate in the fishing of the MS Tournament but did vote to send in the $75 club donation for MS to show support for Jim and the expected change to C&R next year.