If hours of fishing followed by a tailgate party with hot dogs, beverages, snacks, raffles, awards and prizes sounds like a perfect day to you, then you’ll want to sign up for the 26th Annual Town of Oyster Bay Bluefish Tournament, scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 18, according to Councilman Chris Coschignano.
“The Town’s Bluefish Tournament is a great all-day sporting event with wonderful prizes and great camaraderie,” Councilman Coschignano said, adding that the tournament runs from 4:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. “The entrance fee for the tournament, which is open to anglers of all ages, is $25 for Town residents and $35 for non-residents. Registration is limited to the first 350 boats, so sign up early.”
Councilman Coschignano went on to say that additional rules for the tournament, which is sponsored by the Town’s Department of Parks and Oyster Bay Marine Supply, are contained in the registration form, which is available at all Town facilities and at Oyster Bay Marine Supply, 294 South Street, Oyster Bay. Councilman Coschignano noted that all contestants must be pre-registered. All those who register before September 12 will receive a tournament T-shirt. All contestants will automatically be entered in a special raffle, with great prizes including Mercury inflatable boats and Mercury outboards, a Walker Bay boat, rods, reels, ice chests, water skis, dinners for two and much more.
Councilman Coschignano continued on to say that along with plaques, winners of first through 10th places will receive gift certificates in the following amounts: first place – $2,000; second place – $1,000; third place – $750; fourth place – $600; fifth and sixth places – $500; seventh and eighth places – $400; ninth and 10th places – $300. Winners of 11th and 12th places will receive a $200 gift certificate and 13th, 14th and 15th place winners will each receive a $100 gift certificate. Raffle winners must be present to receive their prizes, which will be presented at the tailgate party scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
Councilman Coschignano indicated that the co-sponsors of this year’s Bluefish Tournament include: Bowne AE&T Group, Bridge Marina, Greg Van Dyke Building, Camp-Site Sport Shop, Duffy’s Bait and Tackle, H&M Powles Marina, Mercury Outboards, Mill Max Corporation, Nor’East Saltwater, North Shore Fire Equipment, Panera Bread, Walker Bay, and Zorn’s Chicken and Ribs.
“Fishing is indeed a sport for all ages that offers everything one would want for a day of fun … the tranquility of being out on the water, the adrenaline rush of feeling that first big tug on your fishing line and, in the case of our tournament, the spirit of competition,” Councilman Coschignano said. “Add to that the possibility of winning impressive prizes and you have the Town of Oyster Bay Bluefish Tournament. Even if you don’t beat the tournament record of 19.05 pounds, for a fishing enthusiast, it will surely be the perfect Sunday.”
For further information, contact the Parks Department, Recreation Division, at 797-4125.
