$100,000 goes to the Lucky Fisherman

You’ve been asking when a big striped bass fishing contest with big prizes was coming back to the Hudson River, well here it is. April 17th and 18th will see the HRFA (Hudson River Fisherman’s Association, New Jersey Chapter) sponsoring a major striped bass fishing contest on the west side of the Hudson River.

There will be a number of weigh stations as the HRFA promotes catch and release first and foremost and is an expert amongst experts in doing this. (If you were one of the lucky ones to see their members in action during the four contests from 2001 to 2005 held at the Striped Bass Restaurant in Tarrytown you know what I am talking about.) A number of weigh stations will mean that a live fish will not have to travel as far to be weighed, tagged and released.

This year the HRFA has purchased a policy that will  award $100,000 to the lucky person who catches a striper over 50 lbs and 48* in length. Last year, in the Croton Point area, at least 5 fish were caught near or over this size! THIS MEANS THAT THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE THAT YOU COULD BE THE LUCKY WINNER OF SUCH A HUGE PRIZE.

Preliminary rules have been discussed and, while there may be some changes by the March issue of this magazine, out in mid February), the entrance fee for the main contest will be $25.00. An additional $25.00 will be required to try for the $100,000 dollar prize. (Up until April first then it goes to $35.00)

The standard $25.00 entrance fee will have a series of first, second, and third prizes and a bonus point or points for relea sing the striper alive. (Up until April first then it goes to $40.00)

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  1. The Derby is open to everyone except the Tournament Staff.
  2. Applicants may fish from the shoreline or a boat.
  3. All participants must comply with all Coast Guard laws and rules, local law  enforcement laws as well as New York State DEC laws.
  4. If competing in a boat ALL OCCUPANTS must be entered in the Derby.
  5. Only One Fish may be entered per registrant Per Day.
  6. Any fish that is frozen, gaffed, foul hooked, snagged or caught in an unsporting manner as per IGFA* rules will be disqualified.
  7. No treble hooks may be used while live bait fishing.
  8. Fishing shall begin at 12:01 a.m. April 17th and continue through April 18th. Fish must be at the weigh in station no later than 5:00 pm to qualify for tournament.
  9. Weigh in times will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Weigh in station will close at 5:00 pm.
  10. The Official Weigh-in Stations are being considered at the Haverstraw Marina and Cornettas Restaurant & Marina.
  11. All winning anglers may be  subject to a polygraph examination if requested. (Polygraph is required for $100,000 prize.)
  12. The largest fish will be determined by weight. In the case of a tie, the longer fish will be declared the winner. If the fish are the same weight and length, the fish presented for weigh-in at the earliest time will be declared the winner.
  13. A one pound bonus will be added to each fish weighed in and released alive. Mooneshine. By sheer grit and determination, they finally completed enough of
  their two year refit to crunch through the frozen sheets in the early morning hours of Monday, January 12, 2009, with a plan to complete the remaining nonessential
  items in the warmer climates. And what a sense of relief it was to be underway.