American Striper Assoc. Tourney 2004

Saturday morning check out went well on the first day of the Bahr's Landing Restaurant and Marina Sandy Hook Striper Classic with bright skies, calm winds and warm temperatures.  Something different than all the other tournaments we have held at this striped bass hotspot near the twin towered lighthouse in Highlands, NJ.  Everyone had high hopes for landing a big striper and take home the cash that goes to the winner of the event as well as gain some valuable points in the Top Angler and Division 3 races.  Several fishermen caught twenty or more bass saturday, but couldn't find a really big fish to put the pressure on and take over the lead on day one.  Bob Ransom and the guys on the Ugly Mug weighted in a 33.18lb striper to take the early lead on Saturday followed by the Hapi Daze with a 32.15lb bass.  The Striper Mania was in third with a 31.11lb fish.  Things were still wide open coming into Sundays fishing.

Sunday morning the fog rolled in and made it hard for all the competitors to run to the areas that they wanted to fish because of all the boat traffic in the area.  When they got to their chosen locations fishing was again hot and heavy for some and non-existent for others.  Some reported catching 25 or more fish in the twenty pound range and others who had trouble catching 2 or 3 small fish.  The Hapi Daze was first to the Bahr's Landing fuel dock on Sunday.  Rick Nunn and his crew were quite nervous as their fish went on the scales.  When the scale settled, the Hapi Daze had taken the tournament lead by just over a half a pound.  Now the waiting would began as several boats made their way to the dock.  Several other nice fish would be weighed on Sunday but none big enough to catch the Hapi Daze.  Their fish would also seal the Junior Angler prize for 13 year old Greg Nunn and Pat Kamienski would again win the Top Lady award on the Kingfisher III for the fish that she caught on Saturday.