This upcoming Saturday, June 22, will be the 3rd annual South Shore Invitational fishing tournament and summer kickoff. All proceeds are to benefit the Nursing Fund for Education and Leadership at Catholic Health Good Samaritan University Hospital. The Nursing Fund for Education and Leadership aims to eliminate or greatly reduce financial barriers for nurses and aspiring nurses who strive to pursue advanced education and certifications so that they can develop their talents to the fullest extent possible. These individuals bring their very best to our patients every day, and Good Samaritan University Hospital is committed to ensuring that they feel supported and valued as they grow in their careers.
This year, the event’s location changed from the Robert Moses Boat Basin to Babylon Village Marina. The fishing itself will begin at 6 a.m. with a shotgun start for regular boaters, while those fishing for tuna will be able to cast off the lines at 12 a.m. with a digital check-in required.
For this year’s event, three fish categories will be on the board: tuna, bluefish, and fluke. The tuna category first place grand prize will be $3000 with the runner up getting $2000 and third taking $1000. Bluefish prizes are $2000 for first, $1000 for second and $800 for third. Fluke will have the same prizes as bluefish. A $1000 mystery fish is also up for grabs among all of the other prizes. You will also have the opportunity to be a part of the Calcutta that will be available at the captain’s meeting. In total, $14,600 is up for grabs in the invitational. The cost is $800 per boat.
Prior to the actual event, the captains’ meeting will be on June 20 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Long Island Yacht Club, located at 307 Little East Neck Rd in Babylon. At the meeting, you can expect all of the details of the actual fishing tournament, questions to be answered, and comradery. Additionally, it features a buffet dinner, an open bar, live music, and raffles.
Just like in years past, The Fisherman Magazine will be present at the captain’s meeting and will also be one of the official weigh masters for the tournament. I had the honor of personally being the weigh master for the event the past few years and have witnessed all fish brought to the scales.
The fishing itself should be good for the event this year as well, given the way things are shaping up. I’ve been getting tuna reports for over a month now, and the bite should be even better with the warmer temperatures at the end of June. Fluking has been consistent all season as well, with a good amount of double-digit flatties being caught from inside the South Shore bays already. Maybe we’ll see a 10-plus pounder hit the scales this year. Bluefish have been all over those South Shore bunker pods as well, and finding one gator to grab you that $2000 first-place prize is definitely a strong possibility.
Good luck to all of those participating. I look forward to seeing you at the captain’s meeting and hopefully seeing you at the scales with a trophy catch or two.
For more information please visit catholichealthli.org/events/3890.
For a look at how the 2023 event went visit thefisherman.com/2023-south-shore-invitational-charity-fishing-tournament.
