[tlapinski]

I just received the results of the annual Spring Surf Fishing Club Challenge, and they are pasted below with angler names removed. 7 clubs entered, presumably 5 to 10 anglers fishing per club along all of the beaches of RI, and not a single striper over 36 inches (minimum length for entry) was caught/entered. Several years ago I was involved in a suggestion for the fall version of this tournament to remove striped bass as a kill species for entry (but not to prevent anglers from harvesting a fish they were to enter) and I was demonized for "seeking to ruin the tournament" by several people involved. I was told that there is nothing wrong with the striped bass population, and so on. Sure this spring has been off for a number of reasons, but if somewhere in the range of 35 to 50 anglers fishing the RI surf for 2 days and nights can't land a 36" fish or better, then I find it hard to believe that everything is fine.

We had seven teams participate:
RIMS, Narragansett Surfcasters, Hartford Surfcasters, Newport Surfcasters, Weekapaug Surfcasters, Pioneer Valley Boat and Surf Fishing Club, RISSA Surfcasters

The raffle raised $130 plus entry fees, $655 will be donated to Johnny Cake Center.

No bass were entered.

RIMS 1st Place
Bluefish 5.44, 5.02, 3.41=13.87lbs.

Biggest Bluefish 5.44lbs $100 Narrow River Rods
5.02, 3.41, 2.48, 2.27, 1.99, 2.16

RISAA 2nd Place
Bluefish 1.82, 1.76, 1.70=5.28

I thank you all for participating. Anytime you can have fun fishing and raise money for a charity, doesn't get any better than that.
Have a good summer and fish hard and be SAFE!