Eyes on First Ave - Win a YETI Tundra Haul Cooler - Value $400.00 - Game on!

[EyesOnFirstAve]

Hi everyone! As a way of saying thank you for your continued support we have a brand new YETI Tundra Haul Cooler that we want to raffle off. In order to be entered into the raffle you must be a registered NJFishing.com member and post one of the following on this thread:

1. A picture of one of your best catches
2. A picture of you in your Costa's or Maui Jim's
3. A funny fishing story
4. Your best day out on the water
(or all of the above)

I wanted to keep it simple and give all members an opportunity to participate so I hope this works for everyone. The raffle is posted on both the Saltwater and Freshwater Board. Anyone who posts and shares on this thread will have their name entered into the raffle. Once you post I will respond with a your in. It may take me a day or two to respond if we are busy at the store. The deadline to post will be my close of business at 5:00 pm on April 25th. Your fearless leader Gerry will come to my store on Friday and pull a raffle ticket out of the cooler and the winner will be announced in the afternoon. Good luck and we look forward to you pictures and stories. :)
https://oi113.photobucket.com/albums/n219/theresagjertsen19_2006/L_Main_White_Expanded_F_Tundra_Haul.jpg (https://s113.photobucket.com/user/theresagjertsen19_2006/media/L_Main_White_Expanded_F_Tundra_Haul.jpg.html)

[Taxman]

My best day on the water is every trip I have ever taken with my father, grandfathers, sisters, friends, wife, father in law, kids, their spouses, and soon to be grandson
Memories matter most
And for any critics on order, it is chronological through my life

[stw]

132162
One of our best days on the water for 2018!!!

[EyesOnFirstAve]

My best day on the water is every trip I have ever taken with my father, grandfathers, sisters, friends, wife, father in law, kids, their spouses, and soon to be grandson
Memories matter most
And for any critics on order, it is chronological through my life

Thanks for sharing! Your in, good luck.

[EyesOnFirstAve]

132162
One of our best days on the water for 2018!!!

Awesome pic and catch! Your in, good luck.

[JigOrDie27]

My brother and I took a few friends out for some striper fishing a few years ago. We found a group of fish blowing up on bunkers and this monster inhaled a yellow pencil popper that I was throwing. She weighed in at 52.6# on our on-board scale and posed for this picture before we released her.

A few years later my brother and friends hired a guy to create a wall mount using the measurements and pictures that we took that day and gave it to me as a wedding gift. This big girl is forever chasing that yellow pencil popper through my house!

[Jigman13]

Aug 2018 overnite offshore trip out of Montauk on my dads Tiara. Had my buddy Chris out for his 1st NE canyon adventure. Early into day 1 we put a white marlin in the boat while trolling. Not much else going on trolling so switched to deep drop to put a pile of golden tile in the box. Fast forward into night chunk and things are dead. Radio silent. Scoop up a huge live squid drop it down 65 ft and before I get the drag set the rod doubles over we make short order of a 70 lb class yellow. Chris slept most of the night lol.

Predawn get back up on the troll. Less than half the spread out on the port side and we get wolf packed by eye balls. 5 or 6 on at once and in a finger snap most come unbuttoned except for one. We get Chris in a harness and belt, wedge him into the starboard corner and welcomed his greenhorn ass to thunderdome.

Hes about 6'2 230lb or so. Listened to all his directions. About 40 min later or so I'm leadering a butterball of primo sushi. Two gaffs in the head and a tail lasso game over. Thru the tuna door she went and onto the deck. He couldn't believe his eyes. Fish was about 175 lb.

Talk about a christening or trial by fire lol. Not a ton of action but made what we had count. Heres Chris and I holding her up... sorta... and a solo shot of Chris. Costas across the board!

Monday morning he texted me his back hurt. Priceless...

[TBONENJ]

This past Feb. took my 12 year old on his first offshore trip. He slept like a rock, I didn't. He pounded the porgies all day, I didn't. On the way home he tells me I should try to get more sleep on the way out and maybe then I'll catch more. Funny stuff.

[Irish Jigger]

Maybe luck will happen again. The yeti I won from the last raffle gets used a lot and stores ice for a week. Here's a picture of when my striped bass addiction started in 78 when I was 2. Pops got a good fish by 70s standards. We still are lucky enough to fish for them together 41 years later.

[BobbyK]

Best catch of multiple big bass

[NJ Dave]

Any day on the water is a good day, Catching fish does not make your fishing trip a good trip, it's the friends family you're with, but catching fish always makes it better.

I have some great memories with Ralph from the last Lady, Chris and Darren on fish stix, Jerry on the fishmonger, Pete on the hyper striper, Steve from NYC Sportfishing, Captain Steve on the lady M, rich on the Jersey hooker, and Dave Bender on the Jenny Lee.

big thanks to Eyes On First for this opportunity

[Sq2hunter]

One of our best days on the water....caught multiple over 40 lbs and released them to fight another day. Not sure what the bass in first picture weighed.

Anytime I get out with my dad, my kids or good friends makes it a great day. Second picture is last week. Me and the kids with a double header plus me in my costas. Created memories that day for sure!!!

Also, thank you for the chance at winning the cooler!

Our boat is in a slip at Atlantic highlands marina....right around the corner from you

-John

[OH HENRY II]

The best day I ever had was 3 years ago in Raritan Bay. It was non stop action all day. The funny part of this trip is what pic #1 shows (yes, they are all stripers 6 feet thick). Pic #2 shows one of my biggest stripers at the time, it was as long as my 150 Qt. cooler and weighed 37 lbs. had to leave them biting due to severe fatigue after 4 hours. Thanks for the opportunity to enter.
132187
132188

[EyesOnFirstAve]

Aug 2018 overnite offshore trip out of Montauk on my dads Tiara. Had my buddy Chris out for his 1st NE canyon adventure. Early into day 1 we put a white marlin in the boat while trolling. Not much else going on trolling so switched to deep drop to put a pile of golden tile in the box. Fast forward into night chunk and things are dead. Radio silent. Scoop up a huge live squid drop it down 65 ft and before I get the drag set the rod doubles over we make short order of a 70 lb class yellow. Chris slept most of the night lol.

Predawn get back up on the troll. Less than half the spread out on the port side and we get wolf packed by eye balls. 5 or 6 on at once and in a finger snap most come unbuttoned except for one. We get Chris in a harness and belt, wedge him into the starboard corner and welcomed his greenhorn ass to thunderdome.

Hes about 6'2 230lb or so. Listened to all his directions. About 40 min later or so I'm leadering a butterball of primo sushi. Two gaffs in the head and a tail lasso game over. Thru the tuna door she went and onto the deck. He couldn't believe his eyes. Fish was about 175 lb.

Talk about a christening or trial by fire lol. Not a ton of action but made what we had count. Heres Chris and I holding her up... sorta... and a solo shot of Chris. Costas across the board!

Monday morning he texted me his back hurt. Priceless...

Holy tuna!!!:D Great catch, you're in!

[EyesOnFirstAve]

My brother and I took a few friends out for some striper fishing a few years ago. We found a group of fish blowing up on bunkers and this monster inhaled a yellow pencil popper that I was throwing. She weighed in at 52.6# on our on-board scale and posed for this picture before we released her.

A few years later my brother and friends hired a guy to create a wall mount using the measurements and pictures that we took that day and gave it to me as a wedding gift. This big girl is forever chasing that yellow pencil popper through my house!

Awesome catch!! :) You're in! Good luck.

[EyesOnFirstAve]

This past Feb. took my 12 year old on his first offshore trip. He slept like a rock, I didn't. He pounded the porgies all day, I didn't. On the way home he tells me I should try to get more sleep on the way out and maybe then I'll catch more. Funny stuff.

Thanks for sharing, you're in! :cool:

[EyesOnFirstAve]

Maybe luck will happen again. The yeti I won from the last raffle gets used a lot and stores ice for a week. Here's a picture of when my striped bass addiction started in 78 when I was 2. Pops got a good fish by 70s standards. We still are lucky enough to fish for them together 41 years later.

Awesome picture of you and your dad, Sean. Thank you for sharing. Good luck! :D

[EyesOnFirstAve]

Best catch of multiple big bass

Great picture. Good luck, you're in! :cool:

[EyesOnFirstAve]

Any day on the water is a good day, Catching fish does not make your fishing trip a good trip, it's the friends family you're with, but catching fish always makes it better.

I have some great memories with Ralph from the last Lady, Chris and Darren on fish stix, Jerry on the fishmonger, Pete on the hyper striper, Steve from NYC Sportfishing, Captain Steve on the lady M, rich on the Jersey hooker, and Dave Bender on the Jenny Lee.

big thanks to Eyes On First for this opportunity

You're welcome! Thank you for sharing. Good luck! :D

[EyesOnFirstAve]

One of our best days on the water....caught multiple over 40 lbs and released them to fight another day. Not sure what the bass in first picture weighed.

Anytime I get out with my dad, my kids or good friends makes it a great day. Second picture is last week. Me and the kids with a double header plus me in my costas. Created memories that day for sure!!!

Also, thank you for the chance at winning the cooler!

Our boat is in a slip at Atlantic highlands marina....right around the corner from you

-John


You're welcome. Awesome picture with the kids, making lasting memories for sure. I love taking my nephew and niece fishing, we go every year. Looking good in those Costas! Good luck, you're in. :D

[EyesOnFirstAve]

The best day I ever had was 3 years ago in Raritan Bay. It was non stop action all day. The funny part of this trip is what pic #1 shows (yes, they are all stripers 6 feet thick). Pic #2 shows one of my biggest stripers at the time, it was as long as my 150 Qt. cooler and weighed 37 lbs. had to leave them biting due to severe fatigue after 4 hours. Thanks for the opportunity to enter.
132187
132188

You're welcome! Nice catch. Good luck, you're in. ;)

[Gerry Zagorski]

Thanks for running this for our members here Jamie... Lot's of great photos and stories here....

[Phish On]

July 2011 in Cabo San Lucas. 45lb Bull Dorado. Wearing my Maui Jim glasses.

[Grateful Dad]

Here's a pic of me on a 2-day trip out of Cape Cod. We had cod, Pollock and haddock on day 1, and monster fluke on day 2. One of my best trips ever. And, I'm wearing my Costas!

[EyesOnFirstAve]

July 2011 in Cabo San Lucas. 45lb Bull Dorado. Wearing my Maui Jim glasses.

Nice catch! You're in! :D

[EyesOnFirstAve]

Here's a pic of me on a 2-day trip out of Cape Cod. We had cod, Pollock and haddock on day 1, and monster fluke on day 2. One of my best trips ever. And, I'm wearing my Costas!

Wow!! Sounds like it was a great day. You're in! :)

[Dupes]

My best day fishing and we didn’t catch anything. Grand kids have that affect.

[EyesOnFirstAve]

My best day fishing and we didn’t catch anything. Grand kids have that affect.

Great pic with your grandchild! Your in, good luck.

[EyesOnFirstAve]

Hi everyone! Just a reminder - You have until 5 PM tomorrow to be entered into the raffle for the YETI Tundra Haul Cooler! Value $400.00 All you need to do is post a pic or story and your in. We will announce the winner on Friday. We will blindfold Gerry and have him pull a ticket. Good luck:)

[bunkatabunka]

One of my best catches, wearing Salt Breaks from Eyes on First.

[Slayer]

Me, Dupes, Blackfish Bobby?, fishing with Capt. Tommy Joseph, had to be 20 years ago, pre cell phone.....the good old days.

[DC732]

Not my best fish, but a solid double header sea bass with my Costa Rincons from Eyes on First. Good luck to all!

[Dupes]

Slayer, that is Bobby and we did have a good day of fishing!

[shbeachbum]

My personal best for fluke !132655

[EyesOnFirstAve]

One of my best catches, wearing Salt Breaks from Eyes on First.

Awesome pic! Looking good in those saltbreaks. Your in, good luck.:)

[EyesOnFirstAve]

Me, Dupes, Blackfish Bobby?, fishing with Capt. Tommy Joseph, had to be 20 years ago, pre cell phone.....the good old days.

Your in! Good luck:)

[EyesOnFirstAve]

Not my best fish, but a solid double header sea bass with my Costa Rincons from Eyes on First. Good luck to all!

Great pic! Love the Rincons and Costa Tuna Hat, especially since they are from Eyes on First Ave. :D Good Luck Your in!

[EyesOnFirstAve]

My personal best for fluke !132655

Nice fluke! Your in. Good luck:)

[Chris G]

Start em young! 👍

[EyesOnFirstAve]

Start em young! 👍

Hi Fiona! Great daddy daughter day. Your in, good luck.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Hey.... Wait a minute here!! If I knew there was nepotism allowed, I would have given you my story too....

Here goes anyhow....

So this one time at Band Camp.

Ah never mind... :(

[EyesOnFirstAve]

And that's a wrap! No more entries after this post. Gerry is coming down to pull the raffle ticket tomorrow around 430 PM. We will let you know who the lucky winner is. Good Luck everyone!

[EyesOnFirstAve]

And the winner is........

NJSquatch from the Freshwater board !! Please contact me at the store on Monday 12 - 5 so we can arrange for pick up.

Congratulations NJSquatch for winning the Yeti Cooler!!

Thanks everyone for playing along and your're continued support of Eyes On First Ave.. :cool:

[Dupes]

Thank you for your gift to the site!

[stw]

Thank you for doing the raffle I hope everyone at NJ fishing realizes what a continued supporter you have always been to the site.

[NJSquatch]

Awesome!

Thank you Jamie and Eyes On First for your continued support to the site and raffling off such a big ticket item.

Maybe my luck is changing and this will break the curse that Chrisper put on me!

The cooler looks like it will be a perfect bait tank. :eek: HaHa!

[Gerry Zagorski]

Here's Duane Chapman, AKA NJ Squatch, picking up his Yeti cooler from Eyes on First Ave...

Congrats Duane!!

[EyesOnFirstAve]

Thanks everyone! You are very welcome and congrats again to NJSquatch. Very nice to meet you the other day and I hope this win breaks your curse. :D