2015 Tuna Category Winner: Toro – Captain Neil O’Brien
By Coastal Angler Staff Writer
Another year of the Newburyport Shark & Tuna Tournament has come and gone, and anglers surely came with one mission in mind – reel in a winner. The 2nd annual tournament in Newburyport, MA has started to become a tradition for local anglers from the North Shore, but also for anglers Long Island, NY to Bar Harbor, ME.
2015 Shark Calcutta Category Winner:
Finn-Lander – Captain Brian Boussu
On Thursday, August 20th captains gathered to the Newburyport Harbor Master’s office to register and check-in at the tournament’s weigh station, followed by a captain’s meeting at Crossroad Bait and Tackle (one of the many great sponsors). The real fun began on Friday, August 21st when lines were allowed in the water at 12:01 a.m. With weigh stations open periodically from 12:00 p.m. till 11:30 p.m on Saturday and open once again for two hours on Sunday, anglers had plenty of time to get their catches in. Following the end of weigh-ins was an awards dinner at the Maritime Museum, where anglers gathered to celebrate another great year of tuna and shark fishing, along with another successful run of the 2nd annual tournament.
During the awards dinner, first, second and third place winners were announced in three categories – Tuna, Shark Calcutta, and Shark Catch and Release. Winners received an assortment of fishing equipment from rods and reels, etc. combined with a cash prize. First place winners walked away with 50% of the earnings, while second and third received 30% and 20% respectively. In the Tuna Category, first place winner was Toro and Captain Neil O’Brien. In the Shark Calcutta Category, Finn-Lander and Captain Brian Boussu took home first-place, while Fishy Business and Captain Ed Cloutier were awarded second place. In the Shark Catch and Release, Salt and Captain Tom Nee took first, while Manolin Charters and Captain Chris Valaskatgis, and Fishy Business and Captain Ed Cloutier were awarded second and third place respectively.
A special thanks goes out to the presenters throughout the tournament (Department of Marine Fisheries, Coast Guard Auxiliary, and the Tournament Biologists) and the volunteers who helped organize and run the tournament. To Costa, Blue Point Brewing Company, Crossroads Bait & Tackle, Marine Services, Inc., Nestle Waters, Reel Easy Inc., Fresnel Companies, Keller Williams Realty, O’Brien’s, Chase and Lunt Insurance, McDermott, Will & Emery, Ahi Boatworks, LLC., and NorthStar Contracting Group, Inc., thank you all! Without your support, this tournament would not be what it is today. We have no doubt that this tournament will continue to be a tradition for anglers looking to reel in award-winning tuna and sharks.
If you’re interested in participating in the Newburyport Shark and Tuna Tournament next year, or want more information, be sure to visit Newburyport Shark & Tuna Tournament for more details. You can also email info@newburyportsharkandtunatournament.com or visit their Facebook page!