Monster Shark Tournament

[Bronko]

We got blown out on Friday, a lot of boats did go out and got knocked around pretty good. We stayed close had a few beers and banged the stripers and blues for a while. We got out early Saturday. Pretty snotty ride out, but once we set up it wasn't to bad, probably 4-6 with the occassional 8 footer mixed in. The conditions were actually really conducive to shark fishing. Nice moving water with strong winds. We had a great drift over some nice structure, had the best looking slick I can remember. I figured we'd have a shot at a big fish, didn't happen. Only had 2 sharks all day... a 7 and 8 footer (both released unharmed). The front that hung around all weekend may have something to do with it... who knows. I think there were only 4 sharks weighed in on Saturday. A lot of boats were skunked. Very rare for this tournament. Still a great time as usual.

[likwid]

The weather pushed the big big sharks out and deep.

[MakoMike]

Any thoughts on whether or not the orhanizers should have cancelled the fishing on Friday? BY letting the tournamant go on they puit a lot pressure on Captains whi ordinarily may have opted to stay at the dock.

[Mr. Sandman]

I know they got a late start which was hampered by that storm on Friday but it is hard to completely cancel an event once the boats start arriving. I think lots of planning is made. But I agree, saftey is most important. I recall a couple tourny's I fished when I was a younger, they would shorten the event to one day but I have not seen it outright canceled. Sat was no picnic either offshore. I was out in my hobicat and my son had the handheld GPS and we hit 24knots!

Speaking of saftey, I had my VHF on in my kitchen on late Saturday afternoon and heard the CG talking about a boat in distress 4.5 mi SW of Nomans, they get an EPIRB distress alert from a boat in the tourny. I didn't get the details because I was headed out to dinner with some guests but did anyone hear of a problem this weekend?