When we launched the Striper Cup in 2006, our goal was to revive the competitive interclub tournaments of the 1960s and 1970s with a conservation-minded format that reflected the changed values of our fishing community. Over the past 13 years, we’ve adjusted the structure of the tournament every year, most often to reduce the number of fish weighed in for the tournament while increasing angler participation.
We’re proud of what the Striper Cup has become. In 2018, we had our largest number of entrants and highest level of participation. Over 4,000 people entered over 113,900 inches of striped bass in our catch-and-release category, and we awarded dozens of pairs of Costa sunglasses, thousands of dollars in Shimano rods and reels, 20 YETI coolers and a Hobie kayak to fishermen who chose to release fish rather than weigh them in.
The next step in the evolution of The Striper Cup is an obvious one. We want to encourage fishermen to release large striped bass, and so we are eliminating weigh-ins. There is not a single prize in the 2019 Striper Cup that requires an angler to keep a striped bass. Instead, with more prizes to give away than ever before, we are going to reward fishermen who submit photos of their catches rather than weigh slips.
In some ways, today’s Striper Cup is barely recognizable when compared to what it was at its inception. In 2006, we described the Striper Cup as a season-long tournament, where the best of the best fiercely competed as individuals and teams to see who could catch the biggest striped bass. Today, the word tournament is hardly adequate to describe what the Striper Cup is—it’s a club itself, a season-long event (with a great party at the end), and a community that welcomes all types of anglers, no matter how or why they fish.
The mission statement of the Striper Cup has always been “to celebrate fishing for the beloved striped bass.” That remains unchanged, and I think most striper fishermen would agree that there’s no better way to celebrate catching a big striper than to watch it swim away.
31 Comments
Paul Dinice
I agree 100% with the elimination of weigh-ins. Bravo & kudo's to those that made that decision, a very courageous one. Also thank you for establishing a fly fishing division. I am hoping it will attract more participants for you guys. I'm a fly guy myself. I've really enjoyed the tourney and especially Striperfest. A wonderful event. Thanks for all you do!! Paul
Daniel Allegue
On the Water should make stricter regulations for measuring the fish. There is no safeguards in place to stop someone calling a 40” striped bass a 42”, or calling a 48” a 50”. When you weigh a fish, its a certified scale, and there is no dispute as to exactly what the fish weighs at the time you bring it to a weigh station. You should be requiring photos of the fish taped. In my opinion, video would be better, but it would take forever for you guys to go through each entry. But you are releasing some serious $$ in prizes to the winners. I think it should be legitimized. If nothing is done about it, you’re opening the door to people cheating, and inviting them to say their fish are bigger than they really are. It’s not fair for someone to do that, and as you know, the competition is fierce in the last couple weeks. It seems like the top spots are always putting up fish that are 1” or 2” bigger, at the last stretch of the tournament. You guys need to come up with something! Thank you!
Mikie Tarrasky
Agreed one of my close friends was near the top of A category and another angler every time he entered one the other guy somehow out fished him that week by 1 inch it happened so many weeks in a row it was very suspicious I think he was disqualified that year
(2 years ago) but I completely agree and could not have said it better Daniel!
Fv-reeltime
I think this is a awesome idea! Nothing like holding up a huge bass and properly releasing it back, I just want the picture!
JM Surfcasters Inc.
Much respect to The OTW crew for their effort to preserve the majestic Striped Bass for future generations!!!
Tom Burgoyne
Thank you for the changes. I will enter this years Striper cup.
Tom Bozan
It makes me proud to continue to be an OTW subscriber and follower....great job as always keep up the great work
Christopher Pitcher
Kudos! Awesome if we could all join forces along the east coast to ensure the sustainability of our future migrations . Thank you
Elliott
I think this is one of the best ideas There’s nothing like keeping the striper population alive
Gene Reid
Great idea!! I once caught a monster off Griswold PT in Old Lyme CT. Actually pulled my 14ft Jon boat all over the place before i landed it. So majestic I had to release it!!!! Massive never weighed it or measured it.
Alberto
GOOD JOB!!?
LOU
ITS ABOUT TIME ! GOOD MOVE.
Bruce Martin
In my 12 years fishing your tournament I have never weighed in a fish, mainly because it was too inconvenient to keep a fish in my kayak and find a weigh station. I like this new rule, take a picture and let the really big fish go , keep a few mid 30 inch fish a year for the dinner table.
Mr Edward C Daniels
Thanks for the change to the tourney re. weigh-ins. For the anglers of the future, like my grandsons and granddaughters, I thank you.
Cory Moore
Will you be doing the kayak competition again for the hobie worlds??
Corey Novak
I personally agree with this because our fishery's are declining and the large fish are the top breeders. On the other hand all catch should require a picture with a tape measure and a Bogga grip scale or such and a pic of the release with the angler for a chance of a prize.
Erik Oliver
Well done folks! A great event, just got even better, this makes sense in every way. It isn’t surprising, OTW is ever evolving , innovating, and improving the fishing experience for fishing enthusiast in the Northeast!
Chip Parker
I like this idea. I always felt guilty about killing a huge fish just for the tournament. But, it does bring up other concerns. First, I think it really opens the door for cheaters. And if honesty competitors start feeling like others are cheating, they will stop doing the tournament. I know I would. Some comments mentioned this same thing. Others commented about weighing fish with a Boga grip. Two issues with the driving option. People can lie about the weight. They can alter the fish weight. And mostly, not every person is going to spend $250 on a Boga grip. Not to mention, there is some evidence that even vertically weighing a fish causes damage to it.
I assume it will become a length, or maybe, length and girth measurement. But birth can be altered too easily. Length only creates a problem also. Two people could easily have a 48 1/4" long fish. Or fudge a fraction or more, than can't be determined in a photo. Maybe they do a person's top 5 fish lengths? Also, I believe they will have to give every participant a dated, and color specific, tape measure, t-top keep people from using photos from earlier years. I dont know how they plan on doing it. I will be very curious of what their plan is? I totally see, and understand why they are taking this step. I just hope it does not become the demise of the tournament.
Aaron Jasper
Way to set the bar. I’m sure there will be a few hiccups with anything new. However, don’t let it be a setback. Maybe there is a small entry fee for an OTW retractable tape measurer? Points off for poor handing of fish, ie lying in sand or baking on the deck of a boat. You guys do a great job and you’ll make sure that anything that is an obstacle becomes a strength. Kudos on being a first mover.
Rob
Two thumbs up??!
Jack Doyle
Great news. May I suggest teaming up with a group like the American Littoral society and including a bag of tags when you sign up for all the released fish.
Captain Jim Turner (Westport Point Fishing Charters)
Two of my great-grandchildren caught their first fish last summer. One of my clients' sons caught his first bluefish. Any intelligent measures we can take to secure recreational fisheries for future generations has my support. Thank you for taking this step!
Mark Crawford
Where do these tournaments take place? Thanks and God bless
Ed Giordano
Mark,
The Striper Cup takes place from Maine to New Jersey.
~Ed
Ron
I applaud the change and it's important for every part of this fishery to do its part in protecting this special resource. I am going to sign up!
ERIC CHAPPELL
Question: do the new rules require a statement from us that we released the fish? If I decide to keep a large fish and send in the measurements, am I in violation of the rules and thus ineligible to enter that fish? In addition, I have released several large fish after photographing and measuring them (and tagging some) only to be unable to revive them. Would these also be ineligible to enter?
Thomas wyatt
Yes I will catch and release It will feel good to make a difference in do my part. !!!
Zack T
If entering OTW striper cup am I limited to only fishing one division?? Recently purchased a new yak but also love throwing plugs in the surf... or can I catch fish and submit pictures regardless of method caught?? Thanks for your time.
Andy Tarutis
In reply to the comments, about the Tournament being run to insure fairness - insure truthful accurate entries of fish - why not have a picture of the fish directly next to a cooler / tape / tape measure / yardstick that explicitly indicates the inches of the fish - with the fish directly next to it? Other catch and release tournaments, have used that methodology along with a statement that that the angler is subject to polygraph. I read other comments about some anglers feeling they were beat out by entries that they questioned as being truthful. That concern has to be eliminated in a catch and release tournament - otherwise it discourages anglers from participating for fear that they may lose out due to a liar.
John Ioia
Question: Are there no longer "Pounder Pins" for 30#, 40# ...?
Ed Giordano
With a catch-photo-release system in place, there are no longer weigh-ins or pounder pins awarded for catches.