This past weekend, the NSRWA held its 9th annual South Shore Striper Tournament, with an outstanding turnout from participants, volunteers, and sponsors. In total, 140 fishers, 32 of whom were under the age of 12, participated across the five different hosted categories. The categories included: Motorized Boat Angler, Motorized Boat Angler 12 and Under, Shore or Dock Angler Adult, Shore or Dock Angler 12 and Under, and Fly Fishing Shore Only All Ages. The largest fish was a 46″ striper caught and released from shore by Jonathan Maggio. Congratulations to all who participated!
Overall, the tournament grossed over $29,000, which will supporting our work to restore our waterways and fisheries on the South Shore! Part of this event’s goal was also to raise awareness surrounding proper catch and release techniques, all of which are important in sustaining our culturally important fisheries.
To learn more about ways to reduce mortality with proper catch-and-release fishing practices, please view our webinar Sustaining the Stripers with Ben Gahagan from MassDMF linked below.
Each participant received a Hogy flag bucktail teaser, as one of the best ways to reduce fish mortaility is by using lures, not bait, with a single hook and flag bucktail teaser. This year we also asked people to share videos of releasing their fish and offered a prize for doing so. You can check out pictures and video submissions on the 2025 leaderboard and check out our Facebook videos of fish release compilation!
Follow these seven steps to protect Striped Bass and adhere to responsible catch and release practices:
- Use lures, not bait, with a single hook and flag bucktail teasers. Do NOT use trebles. Go barbless, and use circle hooks if using bait. Trebles and bait will increase fish mortality.
- Limit fight time. Use heavier lines and leaders to reduce fight time.
- Use an extra-long net to land the striper
- Keep in water and remove the hook gently. Use hook removal tools if available.
- Use wet hands and keep the fish horizontal. Support the middle
- Be prepared to take a photo and measure to reduce airtime to less than 10 seconds. Every second counts!
- Get fish in water and move water over the gills until they bite your fingers. Release!
The winners are featured below:
| Category | Place | Name | Size (inches) |
| Motorized Boat Angler, Adult | 1st | Jack Piersiak | 45.05 |
| 2nd Calcutta | Mark Hudgins | 45 | |
| Motorized Boat Angler, 12 and under | 1st | Tyler Drew | 42 |
| 2nd | Hudson Langlois | 36.75 | |
| 3rd | Emmie Sprague | 29 | |
| Shore or Dock Angler, Adult | 1st | Jonathan Maggio | 46 |
| 2nd | Brad Lambert | 45 | |
| Shore or Dock Angler, 12 and under | 1st | Shane Long | 41 |
| 2nd | Eva Tobias | 28 | |
| tie for 3rd | Jackson Purcell and Bryce Jobinson | 26.5 | |
| Fly Fishing, Shore only, All ages | 1st | Will Pincus | 35.75 |
| 2nd Calcutta | Will Pincus | 31.5 | |
| Recycling Measuring Stick Raffle | Scott VanTongeren | N/A | |
| Release Video Raffle | Charlie Linnell | N/A |
Thank you again to our corporate sponsors!
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
River Defender – $5,000
Water Warrior – $2,500
Water Champion – $1,000
River Guardian – $500
