Sharkfest in Atlantic Highlands!!!

[Gerry Zagorski]

Frank and Hunter - Didn't know we were is the presence of some NJF Shark royalty on the board here.

A few stories about your experiences would go a long way to help warm us up as we get through the last of this cold weather.

I've got a few quick ones ....

Huge Tiger

We were out Tuna Fishing in the Canyon with Dave Bender and crew on the Jenny Lee, anchored up on the chunk at night... We had a pretty consistent Tuna bite going most of the night and all of a sudden it shut off like a light switch.

We were are all scratching our heads wondering what happened to the bite and then all of a sudden we got our answer. A huge 10 foot plus Tiger Shark came into our slick and he wasn't leaving. What to do now?? If he hangs around you can be sure nothing else will so we pitch him a bait. He picks it up and it's game on....

The fight lasted at least 2 hours with everyone taking their turns fighting the beast. The pole, as Dave would say, "Was getting passed around like a Spliff at a Dead concert". He went up to the bow a few times and I think it was Jimmy Gahms who took the pole up with him so we wouldn't get tangled in our anchor line.... This fish was so big it's like he didn't even know we had him hooked. We had him on a 50 and he was taking line at will... The only time we'd gain line is when he decided to swim towards the boat.

Most of us had long given up on this Shark after an hour and a half with no line gained, but not Jimmy..... He was determined and 1/2 hour later he had the beast along side the boat long enough for us all to get a good look at him, Jimmy cut the line and we parted ways.

The Alure of Sharks

Bobby Konz and crew took us out to film a Shark Episode on the Alure for the New Jersey Fishing show. We were fishing during the daylight hours and had a few Blue Sharks but not the ones we wanted. It was a fairly uneventful day and then it happened..... Probably one of my most awesome 15 minutes I've ever experienced out on the water... A group of four or five 1000 pound plus Basking Sharks decided to come check us out....

I was in the cockpit when I first saw them so I called Tina Cervasio our host to come out on the deck to check them out.... I will never forget the look on her face when she leaned over the stern and saw them. Her jaw dropped and out of sheer fear, she turned away and headed right back into the cabin to collect herself. I think she might have needed a warbrobe change too

These sharks were larger then the 14 foot beam of the Allure. They hung out with us and would pass by our stern like buses coming to pick up kids at the curb. After about 15 minutes or so they must have lost interest in us but not before they'd give us one last thrill.... One of them breached, slapped it's tail as if to say, "nothing to see here" and left as quickly as they came.

We all took a deep breath and were practically speechless for a few minutes while we proccessed what had just happened. Luckily the carmera guy John kept his wits about him and we caught it all on film.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eV6fOP9UTR0

[arat]

This tournament sounds awesome I hope I can fish it.

[PAMonger]

I've been wanting to try a 5k. This one looks perfect to make my debut. Let's see this fat boy run 3 miles! (and then crawl the last 0.1 and end up in the fetal position on the finish line)

[Hunter 2]

http://www.nj.com/warrenreporter/ind...ch_record.html


I was not aboard that day but here's a link to the story, Eddie

[broken bobber]

is this just catch and release ?

[Shark Challenge]

Hi Everyone!!!

My name is Jack Donlon, Director of Shark Fest 2015.
My Cell number is 609 349 2375.
If anyone has any questions I am always available.

I wanted to take a moment and introduce myself and answer a few questions and comments on this thread.

Shark Fest is a shark themed family weekend festival. There will be dozens of vendors, food trucks, continuous live music, Beer mostly for the kids, Free admission, Free Shark Shows every 2 hours, Free Kids Dishing Derby. There will be inflatables, a rock wall and a Mechanical Shark Ride. At the festival there are several large screens that play video... Video and stills from the Shark tournament taking place the same weekend. The crowds can experience the fun of fishing and the thrill of Shark Fishing... A Big Shark Party!

Yes, there is a 5K run that is fun to watch... It has a Free Kids "fun Run" as well. During the 5K the runners will encounter "sharks" at the mile markers that fill the air with RED Powder... so it is a color run too.

Finally- to the point... While all this is taking place and I am parking cars-the "Are You Man Enough Shark Challenge 6" is taking place.

Teams fish shifts from Friday through Sunday morning. #tag and release 60" or greater Blue, Mako or Thresher for points. Our method of validation is 100%. Additionally, the Calcuttas are for Mako and Thresher and those shark are brought back for weigh-in at Shark Fest. Great lengths have been gone to and years of tweaks and drastic changes have enabled us to present a hybrid tournament that rewards catch and release AND allows a responsible, limited amount of anglers to make their own legal choices. There is also a grand prize in the making for setting the NJ State Thresher record.

The event supports a charity called SHARK SENSE, Inc. This organization is dedicated to stopping the brutal act of Shark Finning which kills millions of Shark annually. Shark Sense is also dedicated to educating the public that Shark Finning and recreational shark fishing are not the same...

The corporations that are decimating the rain forests do so by cutting down trees... My Landscaper also cuts down trees... We certainly do not blame the landscaper for destroying the rainforest...

Yes- the name is the "Are You Man Enough? Shark Challenge! 6" I have taken great heat for the tongue in cheek name that some take waaaay too seriously. It makes great headlines and news clips so I kept it...

We had an explosion of entries since I put the entry page up 2 days ago... I can assure you the caliber of anglers registered so far will meet anyone's standards...

There are a limited amount of transient slips available at AHMH for Shark Fest weekend. Call the Harbor Master to reserve.

I hope to meet many of you at Shark Fest and look forward to re-joining the local Raritan fishing community.



www.sharkfest2015.com
www.sharkchallenge2015.com
www.runningwiththesharks.com

[Gerry Zagorski]

Thanks Jack

[Gerry Zagorski]

Originally Posted by Hunter 2

http://www.nj.com/warrenreporter/ind...ch_record.html


I was not aboard that day but here's a link to the story, Eddie

I'll bet you were kicking yourself wherever you were

That's a great fish!!

[DMac]

Is this the same weekend of any other major shark tournaments. I know south jersey is usually the first weekend of june. Brett Bailey and warriors is same weekend. Just curious. I haven't seen official dates released for tournaments.

So only calcutta for weighed fish and how are you going to verify releases. I know a lot of bs happens with release points.

[O'Connor]

looks cool. any size min on the makos?