Congratulations to all the members of Striped-Bass.com, whose tremendous efforts all season long culminated in a second-place finish in the Striper Cup tournament. Tensions in the club competition escalated late in the season, when these former Cup-holders made an impressive grab for the Cup that left their Team Striper competitors in a sweat. At the Cup came to a close in mid-September, Striped-Bass.com boasted a 495.5-pound cumulative weight and also clinched an impressive number of weekly and monthly prizes.
The team’s ace-in-the-hole was delivered in form of Mike Veraka, whose 231.5-pound five-fish cumulative weight clinched him the Shore Angler of the Year trophy after an intense season-long competition. Mike’s 51-pound catch in August also took the shore division title for that month. Other repeat superstars included Josh Clogston, Tony Orlando and Jim Sylvester, each of whom knocked out a couple 40-pounders from shore, and John Redmond, Tyler Rhoades, Dan Syriala and Mike Elrick. The entire team posted some incredible weigh-ins this year, and we’ll no doubt see them at the top of the board in 2009.

At StriperFest on Sunday, October 5, Striped-Bass.com handed the trophy over to Team Striper amidst the thunderous applause of nearly 3,000 anglers, fishing enthusiasts and their families. Those who attended enjoyed fun activities, delicious food, Harpoon beer, and live music – but most importantly, they celebrated the outstanding efforts of all the Striper Cup anglers and this year’s spectacular fishing season. Striped-Bass.com embodies the spirit and camaraderie that the Striper Cup seeks to cultivate, and we at On The Water are proud to have you as a part of the competition. Once again, Striped-Bass.com, congratulations, we look forward to seeing you all again next year!
Will Berthold
Striper Cup Tournament Manager
Team Total: 495.5 pounds


1. Team Striper 529.01
2. Striped-Bass.com 495.5
3. Team #^&#^&#^&#^&s 476.9
4. Team Jersey Shore 458.87
5. Linesider Bass & Brew 426.77
6. RISAA 426.19
7. Aquidneck Island Striper Team 420.75
8. Jersey Shore Surfcasters 389.86
9. Eight Point Sportmans Club 341.09
10. Bad Larry's 338.02
Top-Ten Weigh-Ins

1) Mike Veracka 61.2 51 shore
2) Mike Veracka 55.44 46.2 shore
3) Jim Sylvester 53.84 44.87 shore
4) Josh Clogston 50.16 41.8 shore
5) Tony Orlando 50.1 41.75 shore
6) John Redmond 46.8 39 shore
7) Tyler Rhoads 45.6 38 shore
8) Dan Syriala 44.4 37 shore
9) Josh Clogston 44.16 36.8 shore
10) Michael Elrick 43.8 36.5 shore



Striper of the Year: Mark Sherer
Angler of the Year, Shore: Mike Veraka
Angler of the Year, Boat: Keith Salisbury
Youth Kayak Winner: Trevor Maciel
2008 Toyota Tundra Winner: Joe Bastis