Sandy Hook Bay Anglers Fluke Tourney 2020

[wyldbillnj]

We the members of the SHBA Fishing Club would like some input from the fishing public that engages and reads this site. We know quite a few of us here take part in our annual tourney. This would be our 39th Consecutive year of running the event. Due to the Covid emergency, the social distancing guidelines and updated directives from New Jersey we are currently searching for opinions on whether to run the tourney. Captains meeting July 10th....Tourney on July 11th and 12th.

As of now, the tourney would run with changes to the payout amounts based on a pro-rated system as 99% of tournaments are now run at. NORMALLY we Guarantee our prize money but these are circumstances beyond everyones control. Also, an outdoor captains meeting and pre-drawing of any door prizes would likely be enacted. We prefer to keep the health and welfare of participating anglers a priority over running the event as of now.

Please, let us know if you would like to see this tourney go on this year or, if in your opinion, would prefer not to attend....we would like to hear. We are asking to keep this civil and NOT political. There are 2 sides of the story and gray in-between...that is not the stated purpose of this post.

[Dclark2]

You should post the dates..

[wyldbillnj]

Thank you for advising. Added the dates.

[Gerry Zagorski]

As long as it's safe, I say proceed. I think most people will be chomping at the bit to get out on the water and it's good for our sport and the local economy.

[Oceanroamer]

If you decide to carry-on for now, add disclaimer that if things aren't going well with Corona numbers, you will cancel the tournament and refund of entry fee.

You could add any number of distancing requirements. Id say that is absolute must. Maybe emphasize the tournament and not the party type stuff after. One guy weigh in and you have to remove yourself from the site. Winner announced on youtube and text. Present winnings on live video stream. I'm brainstorming. I am because I think it can be done. Just differently.

Last thing you need is video of a major tournament gathering of people too close to each other if the virus is still bad or even moderate in new cases. It's not worth it that way.

Good luck

[wyldbillnj]

We appreciate the feedback. This is why we are posting and requesting this type of information from anglers.

[Irish Jigger]

How are you Bill? Thanks again for the awesome work on the custom measuring board. How about a 2 day winner takes all. Calcutta, Entry etc... Everyone can radio in and hear the top fish. Leaves a lot of us not wondering if a 6 lb fish is good enough to place. Very well run tournament but with the current situation, only a few have to weigh in and social distancing would be minimal. I sure as heck won't win but like they say second place is the first loser! Maybe take a cut of the money from what would have been second, third, etc.. and donate it to a health workers charity or first responders.

[wyldbillnj]

Thanks Sean! We normally run prizes down to 6th or 7 places but with the current situation I dont think thats feasable this year. This is part of what we are trying to achieve in asking the questions of running this or not. Being the only 2 day Fluke tourney in the state, we are unique. It begs to ask though, most anglers willing to have only 2-3 people max in abiding by the current* guidelines for a tourney like ours. I say current* because things can change between now and July of course.

We are truly looking for input for those who fish the tourney regularly or even looking to fish it for the first time.

Thanks again and everyone Be Safe!

[wyldbillnj]

Its my understanding now, that AHMH is not allowing public gatherings of any kind until further notice. Based on that information, we will likely have to shut down the tourney for this year.

I Myself am not an advocate for that currently...BUT with the public's best interest...we may have no choice unless things change as of May 15th.