New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
The second annual Fishing For A Cause charity tournament to benefit the children of the Schwartz Center that took place out of the Pope’s Island marina in New Bedford, MA this past weekend, June 15-16, grossed over $105,000, with net proceeds to benefit vital programs at the Schwartz Center.
The Father’s Day weekend event featured a seaside dinner and an awards barbeque under a tent at Pope’s Island Marina. Nearly 400 people attended the activities associated with the tournament, with 49 anglers participating in the Striped Bass, Bluefish and Fluke contest.
Winning results were as follows: in the Striped Bass division, the first place winner was first time participant Patrick Long with total weight over two days of 60.64lbs; in second place was Corey Pietraszek with a total weight of 50.41lbs; and in third place Steve Pickup with a total weight of 28.94lbs over two days. In the Bluefish division, first place also went to Patrick Long with a total of 22.56lbs; second place was Lt. Corey Pimental with total weight of 11.31 lbs; and in third place was Rick Bobole with a total weight of 10.55lbs. In the Fluke division, first place went to George Martin with a total weight of 4.06lbs; second place was David Cameron with a total of 3.94lbs; and third was Ted Merriman with a total combined weight of 3.86lbs. No one won the million dollar prize this year.
Tournament Co-Directors Craig Kauffmann and Beatriz Oliveira are already planning Fishing For a Cause 2013, and with a desire to keep improving the way the tournament is run, they are seeking feedback from those that participate as well as those that didn’t. A short survey will be posted to the event’s website by July 1st.
Proud sponsors of Fishing for a Cause included: SeaStreak; Greenberg Traurig LLP; Hodgson Pratt, Pratt & Saunders, PC; Russell Morin Fine Catering; Design Principles, Inc.; Eden Garden and Flower Shop; Michel Cullum Associates, Inc.; Rock Street Studios; Whaling City Sound; On The Water; Chase Canopy; Murray Outdoor Communications; among many others. Event organizers can be contacted at ffac@schwartzcenter.org or by phone at: (508) 996-3391 ext. 392. For more information, go to the event website www.fishing4acause.org.
