Press Release

The Second Annual Cape May Shark Tournament is now over. This year we awarded over $35,000 dollars in prize money! Making this tournament one of the best paying Shark tournaments on the East Coast!

We had a field of 29 boats vying for 16 different awards. The contestants consisted of some of the best shark fishermen from the Cape May County fleet.

On the first day of the 3 day tournament, only 10 boats ventured out in very tough conditions. Despite the weather there were 5 sharks weighed. The first fish to scale and the first qualifier was a 157 lb Mako caught by the Rusty Dawg II. Next qualifier came from the F.Stop with a 154 lb Mako. Tagg Team took the day with a 205 lb Mako. Miss Andrea caught the biggest bluefish of the day at 12.5lbs

Day Two, found Tagg Team towing a monster Thresher to the scales at 6 knots for 3 hours! When the shark was hoisted up, she tipped the scales at 572.5 lbs! Feast or Famine, weighed the next qualifying Mako at 167.5 lbs taking heaviest Mako for Day 2 and the team from Deliverance claimed the heaviest bluefish category of the day w/their 10lbr.

Day Three the weather was cooperative but the biggest sharks were not. No qualifying sharks were brought to the scales.

The final results along w/payouts are all listed below.





Chuck & Mary Hinchcliffe
Off the Hook B&T @ Hinch Marina
www.offthehookbaitandtackle.com
609-884-0444

Press Release

The 1st Annual Cape May Shark Tournament is now one for the books. Even with a tough weather forecast for the weekend, 24 boats braved the seas and fished our inaugural event. The Captains Meeting was a good time thanks to some great door prizes from our sponsors and some even better appetizers by Sharky's Feeding Frenzy!

The first fishing day on Friday started with a severe squall, however 21 boats left the inlet w/an extended day of fishing till 8:00 pm. First fish to the scale was from the All Geared Up crew, a nice 145.5 lb Mako, just missing the qualifying weight and they also weighed a 6.5 bluefish. Next up came the F.Stop II crew with a 102 lb Mako Feast or Famine came in @ the end of the day w/a 9.5 lb bluefish that took the Daily Bluefish category.

Day One also brought some reports of other shark species, Clean Sweep reported a large Tiger Shark in their slick measuring between 14-15 ft and a large Mako that just wouldn't take the bait. Chuck Starn and his family on the Infiltrator caught a 200+ Bull Shark! Other boats also reported Makos that were released to swim another day.

Day 2 was surprisingly the nicest weather wise of the 3 day event with only 8 boats deciding to fish. The opening of scales @ 4:00 pm found two crews waiting to weigh their fish. First up was Feast Time II, with a 277 lb Thresher that was caught fairly close to shore, taking the lead for Heaviest Shark. Next, the Predator crew weighed a Mako that coming in @ 117 lbs. Finally, the Infiltrator crew came in with a 9.0 lb bluefish that took the Daily Bluefish category.

18 boats finished the tournament on Day Three, once again fighting through a squall in the morning, but the weather cleared and it became a beautiful day. First to scales was F.Stop II with their second Mako of the tournament, this time beating minimum weight and taking second place for Heaviest Shark at a weight of 177 lbs. Next, to scales was Rusty Dawg III with a Mako just below minimum qualifying weight. All Geared Up reported fighting a huge Thresher for 3 hours, only to lose it to gear failure due to stress from the fight. They saved their day with a 9 lb bluefish that took the Daily Bluefish Calcutta. Jaftica also reported fighting a large Thresher and losing it boatside. The HookedUp II crew also brought home a Mako but chose not to bring it to the scales as it was 125 lbs.

A good time was had by all at the Awards BBQ, the spread Sharky's Feeding Frenzy provided was unbelievable, SNOW CRAB LEGS, BBQ CHICKEN, SHRIMP and the BEST PULLED PORK SANDWICHES anywhere! The total purse for our inaugural tournament was $16,287! Feast Time II took home the top prizes with the Daily Thresher Calcutta, Heaviest Thresher Overall (Predator Payout), and Heaviest Shark Overall, cash prizes totaling $8500.00 along w/a Rigged Titanium Spreader bar provided by Offshore Innovations!! The F.Stop II took Heaviest Mako (Predator Payout) and 2nd Heaviest Shark overall, cash prizes totaling $5412. The Daily Mako Calcutta went to a drawing, with One More Cast winning $1600. You can check out all the winners listed below and the pics of the BBQ on the photo page.

We would like to thank our sponsors, Off the Hook Bait & Tackle, Sharky's Feeding Frenzy, Sportfishermen.com, Rising Tide Media, SeaTow of Cape May, J. Byrne Insurance Agency, Poon Harpoons, Bamboo Shack Boutique, Calcutta, Offshore Custom Tackle, G. Loomis, and Seeker Fishing Rods. We would also like to thank our friends who volunteered their time Mike and Nadya Lawrence, Dave and Debbie Cooper, and Kirk Gerbereux. And finally our great tournament staff, Mike Harron, Chris Harron, Charles Hill, Dan Archibald, Tom Archibald, Rob Bakley, Nick Bakley, and Kevin O'Connor. Also, special thanks to Don Carter and Cecil Bryan, along w/their awesome crew @ Sharky's Feeding Frenzy who kept us fed during an unbelievable weekend!

Thanks again to everyone who fished the event!
Chuck Hinchcliffe
Cape May Fishing Tournaments, L. L. C.



We look forward to an even
bigger event next year!



Click here to see all the pictures.