Navigating November's Waters
The summer months of July and August provided plenty of action, camaraderie, and memorable moments for the Manasquan Fishing Club. From Fluke tournaments to overnight canyon trips, the club made the most of the warm weather and good fishing. Let’s dive into some of the highlights from these two fantastic months.
July Highlights:
MFC Featured in Jim Freda’s Column
Kicking off July, the club received a nice mention in Jim Freda’s column. His feature on the club was met with excitement and pride by members, further highlighting the strong bond of the MFC community and its contributions to the local fishing scene.
Big Canyon Success
Fred Truex made headlines within the club with a notable overnight canyon trip in early July. Onboard Change Order, the crew hauled in over 35 fish, including some impressive tuna. Reports came in from several other boats, including Sean Wohltman on Reel America, sharing the success of their day on the water, boasting a couple of unders just shy of 43 inches.
Independence Day Fishing
The 4th of July weekend saw members enjoying time on the water. Brian Finnegan had a quick morning limit just inshore of Sea Girt Reef, showcasing the strong Fluke bite in the area. Meanwhile, Frank Cuccio landed a bug-eyed striper at The Cove, causing quite a stir with its strange appearance resembling a fish pulled from the deep.
August Highlights:
JCAA Fluke Tournament
August brought the JCAA Fluke Tournament, and the MFC members were eager to hit the water. Fred Truex led the way, hosting a crew of MFC anglers on his boat, working hard to locate the biggest Fluke. Lou Cadalzo took the honors with a solid 22-inch Fluke early on, weighing in at 3.65 lbs. The rest of the team worked tirelessly, hauling in 32 short Fluke and a multitude of Sea Bass and Sea Robins.
Big Sea Day
Big Sea Day 2024 was another resounding success. Members and their families came together to enjoy a day of fishing, fun, and festivities.
Team Pollock's Tournament Victory
In mid-August, Team Pollock represented the MFC in the SHYC Fluke Tournament and took home the first-place prize. The team, consisting of Luis Cadalzo, John Sheehan, Bill Pollock, and Pete Sangenetti, landed a solid catch of four keepers, with the winning Fluke weighing in at 3 lbs, 1 oz. Their hard work early in the morning paid off, earning them a well-deserved win.
August Fluke Success
August continued to deliver on the Fluke front. Ed Kerekes landed some solid fish, including a 20.25-inch and 18.5-inch catch. His success didn’t stop there—later in the month, he hauled in a 23-inch, 5-pound Fluke, showcasing his prowess throughout the summer.
Meanwhile, Fred Truex had what he called his “best fluke day of the year,” with a 25-inch, 21.5-inch, and 20-inch Fluke at Red Church. The largest weighed 6.03 pounds, putting him in the lead for the largest ocean Fluke. The club's dedication to the sport and love of fishing shines through moments like these
Joe Choma reported a strong catch with the Skylarker crew, who hauled in 29 keeper Fluke and 15 keeper Sea Bass while fishing at the Sea Girt Reef.
Family Fun Continues
Members continued to involve their families in the summer fun. Chris Jewell’s youth anglers represented the club well during their adventures, and the younger generation got involved in both the ocean and river tournaments. Grace Wasnesky caught a solid 20-inch Fluke just as she was wrapping up for the day, marking a proud moment for her and her family.
Looking Ahead
As the summer wraps up and we look ahead to the fall season, the MFC has more exciting events and fishing adventures lined up. With bass tournaments and a possible makeup Fluke tournament on the horizon, we’re eager to see what the fall brings. Stay tuned for more updates, and remember to share your fishing stories and photos with the club!
