Joe Aversano, a member of the Oyster Bay Anglers, invites all fisherman to come down to the 25th Annual Town of Oyster Bay Bluefish Tournament for free coffee and donuts on Sunday, Sept. 12, starting at 4 a.m.
The annual TOB Bluefish Tournament is held at Theodore Roosevelt Park in Oyster Bay. “This will be our third year offering free coffee and donuts. The turnout is great.” Registration starts at 4 a.m. when the town showmobile sets up at the launching ramps (at the end of Larrabee Avenue).
“It’s kind of moving fast at 4 a.m. as the boats go out. Guys keep showing up and getting ready to go out,” he said. By about 4 p.m. the fishermen are coming in and bringing in their biggest fish to get on the official scoreboard. There are 10 winners yearly. As larger fish come in, the smaller ones are passed down lower on the board and – off.
Mr. Aversano, who lives in Manhasset, was the first place winner in the Bluefish Tournament in 2002. “I won in 2002. The bluefish weighed in at 15.05 lbs. It wasn’t the biggest fish ever caught – but it was the biggest one that day. I caught it off Cooper’s Bluff.”
This year he won’t be out fishing himself. “It’s a little too hectic this year,” he said.
“We provide the manpower and the sponsors donate the money for the free coffee and donuts. The sponsors are: Nova Landscaping of Plainview; Harborside Deli of Oyster Bay; Jimco Auto Repair of Bethpage: JVC Auto Collision of Hicksville; Duffy’s Bait and Tackle of Glenwood Landing; and Pierre Marchais Arborist of Oyster Bay.
“Pierre Marchais is great. He climbs trees like a monkey. We had our annual picnic at TR Park and he was doing the corn on the cob,” said Mr. Aversano. Mr. Marchais, a noted Oyster Bay fisherman, is a familiar face in town. He is a member of Rotary and the Lions. A grandfather himself, he is a regular volunteer at the summer teen B.O.B program held at TR Park on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the summer months.
Mr. Aversano said, “A member has a lunch truck and I get 25 to 30 dozen Dunkin’ Donuts. Last year 25 dozen were given out. It all features on the weather as to how many fisherman show up,” he said. It is a great event. It is jointly sponsored by Oyster Bay Marine Supply, located 294 South Street. After the tournament winners are announced, there is a giant raffle with great gifts – a great way to end the summer fishing season.
Even if you don’t beat the tournament record of 19.05 pounds set in 1987, for a fishing enthusiast, it is a great event. Bluefish are great fighters and everyone comes home with a good fish story.
For further information, contact the Parks Department, Recreation Division, at 433-7465, ext. 232.
