Six Local Anglers Win Bluefish Tournament

Six Local Anglers Win
Bluefish Tournament

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto (back row fourth from left) and Councilwoman Rose Marie Walker (center), as well as Assemblyman Rob Walker (back row fourth from right) and Town of Oyster Bay Department of Parks Commissioner Richard T. Betz (right) congratulate all 15 winners of the town's 21st annual Bluefish Tournament. (Find your favorite angler!)

The 21st annual Town of Oyster Bay Bluefish Tournament, held on Sunday, Sept. 17, was a great opportunity for local fisherman to shine. Ten of the 15 biggest fish caught were by anglers from the Town of Oyster Bay. The biggest fish was caught by John Fierderlein of Bayville. There were five winners from Bayville, one from Oyster Bay - our local area.

"The town's Bluefish Tournament is a great, all-day sporting event with wonderful prizes and great camaraderie," said Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto. Registration was limited to the first 350 boats that signed up. The tournament is sponsored by the town's Department of Parks and Oyster Bay Marine Supply.

All contestants were automatically entered into the special raffle that offered great prizes including an 11-foot Mercury inflatable boat and 15 hp Mercury outboard, an 8.5-foot Mercury inflatable boat and 2.5 hp Mercury outboard, a Walker Bay boat, rods, reels, ice chests, water skis, dinners for two and much more.

The winners received plaques. Winners of first through 10th places received gift certificates from first place - $2,000 to $100 gift certificates for the last there winners. Raffle winners were announced at the tailgate party.

"Fishing is indeed a sport for all ages that offers everything one would want for a day of fun ... the tranquility of being out in 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," Supervisor Venditto said. He added the tournament record is 19.05 pounds. This year's biggest fish was 14.90 lbs.

Bluefish Tournament Winners - 2006

Place, Name, Town, Weight

1. John Fierderlein, Bayville, 14.90

2. Esmond De Beer, Jericho, 13.20

3. Ronnie Jespergard, Bayville, 12.87

4. Pierre Marchais, Oyster Bay, 12.01

5. Darrin Lehr, Farmingdale, 11.93

6. Daniel Brunetti, Bayville, 11.48

7. John Delcolle, South Huntington, 11.38

8. George Raynor Jr., Corland Manor, 11.27

9. Jim Sullivan, Bayville, 10.95

10. John McGrorty, Bethpage, 10.88

11. John Roth, Greenlawn, 10.75

12. Scott Braun, Northport, 10.70

13. Angela Vitale, Northport, 10.69

14. Jeremiah Relyea, Bayville, 10.45

15. Joe McMichael, Hicksville, 10.43