14th Annual Ponytail Mike Malek Memorial Striped Bass C&R Tournament

 2024  Final Standings

Surf Division

1st Place        50”.    Graig Serrao
2nd Place.     41”.     Joe Pinto
3rd Place       39.5”. Jackie Bielski 

Boat Division

1st Place       42.5"     Scott Pullen

2nd Place.     41”.        Phil LaGrossa
3rd Place       41"        Carl Sterling 

Tight lines,

2024 BSC Tournament Committee

14th Annual Ponytail Mike Malek Memorial C & R Tournament 

2024 Surf and Boat Divisional Rules

1. Pre-Tournament

1.1. There will be no pre-tournament meeting. Entrants are responsible for reading, understanding, and adhering to all the following rules.

1.2. Registration may be made by mail, through a BSC Tournament Committee member, or at a participating B&T Sponsor no later than Nov 26th, 2024 at 12:00PM.

1.3. Tournament participants must have a valid, working e-mail address. Just prior to the start of the tournament, the tournament committee will e-mail each participant their own unique tournament number. That number must appear in any picture of a fish submitted for consideration in the tournament. We recommend that participants write that number on an index card or sheet of paper in print dark enough and large enough to show up in photographs. When taking a picture of fish to be entered, place the card or piece of paper in the photo with the fish.

1.4. Lines in the water will start at 5:00 AM on Wednesday Nov.27, 2024. Fishing will end promptly at Noon on Sunday, Dec.1, 2024. Times are based on the tournament committee clock.

1.5. Once the tournament begins, there will be no refunds for any reason. 

1.6. By signing the entry form you are agreeing to the disclaimer on the entry form.

1.7. Prizes will be awarded for the 3 largest fish caught and released per division. 

1.8. Prizes will be listed on the Ponytail Mike Malek Memorial C&R Tournament Facebook page and the Berkeley Striper Club Website. Prizes are subject to change up until the start of the tournament.

2. During The Tournament

2.1. Boundaries are all legal New Jersey marine waters. Boats (including standup paddleboards kayaks and other floating devices) participating in the boating division must leave from and return to a NJ port.

2.2. Fishing areas must be open to the public during the time period an individual is fishing the tournament. If a fishing area is closed to the public during certain times of the tournament, then it is closed to tournament fishing during that time period.

2.3. All fish must be caught on a rod and reel and within compliance of the law.

2.4. Entrants must hook and fight the fish on his/her own and must be the only person handling the fishing rod. The only assistance the angler may have is to have someone net, tail or leader the fish during the landing.

2.5. Submitting a Fish

2.5.1. To be counted, all fish must be measured and photographed with a measuring device clearly showing the length of the fish and your tournament number clearly visible.

2.5.1.1. Fish must be released and swim away to qualify for this tournament.

2.5.1.2. Fish will be measured with from tip of the nose to the end of the tail in a normal position (“where it lays”…..not squeezed, pinched or stretched).

2.5.1.3. The measuring device must be placed along the bottom (belly) side of the fish.

2.5.1.4. The picture must be taken with the camera directly over (above) the fish pointing straight down. 

2.5.2. Individuals must supply their own tape measure or ruler. Hard flat rulers are preferred as soft rulers that are bent or wavy in any manner may result in disqualification.

2.5.2.1. The measuring device must be lying straight alongside the fish and be clearly visible in the picture for the full length of the fish being submitted.

2.5.2.2. If any part of the measuring device is hidden by the fish, the tournament number card, or any other object, the entry will be disqualified.

2.5.2.3. If the length of the fish cannot be determined from the picture, the entry will be disqualified

2.5.3. Any fish not photographed as described in rules 2.5.1 and 2.5.2 and all of their sub-rules will be disqualified. It is the responsibility of the angler to ensure the fish is photographed properly.

2.5.4. Individuals must supply their own means of taking a digital photo. Digital cameras, cell phones,  video cameras, and iPads with photo capabilities will be accepted.

3. Tournament Conclusion

3.1. At or before the conclusion of the tournament, all entrants who wish to enter their fish must e-mail the picture of their largest fish to the tournament committee.

3.1.1. Pictures are to be sent to bsc_catchrelease@yahoo.com.

3.1.2. Pictures must be submitted by 3:00 pm Sunday, Dec. 1,2024. They may be submitted at any time prior to this deadline.

3.1.3. With the picture, submit within the body of the e-mail the following:

3.1.3.1. Your name

3.1.3.2. Your tournament number

3.1.3.3. Your phone number

3.1.4. Submit only one picture. If multiple pictures are submitted for the same fish, the tournament committee will judge the first received, or the first in the list of pictures if they are all sent in one e-mail.

3.1.5. No photoshopping or other photo editing is permitted. Original unedited pictures only.

3.1.6. The tournament committee reserves the right to make editing adjustments to the submitted photo for clarity, such as to read the ruler or the tournament number.

3.1.7. The tournament committee makes the final ruling on the length of the fish submitted.

3.1.7.1. The tournament committee will determine the length of the fish by rounding up to the nearest half inch based on the submitted photograph.

3.1.7.2. The tournament committee, based on the submitted photograph, will judge the viability of the release of the fish.

3.1.7.3. The tournament committee reserves the right to make editing adjustments or to disqualify the entry (at their discretion) of any submission that attempts to show a false measurement using a forced perspective technique.

3.1.8. The tournament committee is not responsible for submissions failing to arrive by the deadline due to technical reasons beyond the committee’s control, such as internet disruptions, power outages, etc.

3.1.9. Each entrant may only win one prize per division. While an entrant may enter multiple fish for this tournament, only the largest submitted entry per division will be considered for a prize.

3.1.10. Entrants have the right to request a second judging of a submitted fish. They must make the request in writing and state why they think the measurement was mis-judged.

3.1.10.1. Entrants may only make one request for a second judging per tournament. Any further requests must go through the Appeals process as described in Rule 3.2

3.1.10.2. Tournament committee rulings on second judgments are final.

3.2. Any and all appeals must be made, in writing and given to a member of the tournament committee or dropped off at Grumpy’s Bait & Tackle by 3:00 pm Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. Appeals must be accompanied by a $25 processing fee. If the appeal is granted, the money will be refunded. No investigations will begin without the processing fee. All decisions made by the Tournament Committee will be deemed final.

3.3. The Berkeley Striper Club reserves the right to use any photographs submitted for prizes for Berkeley Striper Club meetings and events, and for future promotion of the C&R tournament.

3.4. If two or more fish of the same length are tied for an award within a division, the submission received first will break the tie. The inbox time of the committee e-mail address will be used to determine time of receipt.

3.5. Any entrant submitting a fish which was tampered with or was not caught by him or her within the rules and regulations of this tournament, will be disqualified with no refund of any entrance fees and may be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Entrants may be asked to take a polygraph test. Failing the test or refusing to take it within 7 days of the request will result in an automatic disqualification of the entrant with no refund of any entrance fees and forfeiture of any prizes.

3.6. Anglers who have been disqualified from this or any fishing tournament may be prohibited entry to this tournament.

3.7. Grand Prize Drawings: The grand prize drawings will take place at 7:00 pm, Sunday Dec. 1, 2024, at Grumpy’s Bait and Tackle, 906 NE Central Avenue, Seaside Park, NJ. A video of the drawing and winners will be posted on our tournament Facebook page. All tournament and grand prize winners will be contacted after this event to make arrangements for prize pick up.

If there are any questions, please contact the Tournament Committee at 732-221-0540.

Participation in this tournament requires a digital camera or other device capable of taking digital photos and a standard  ruler or tape measure supplied by the angler. Participation also requires access to a working email address. The undersigned angler (“Angler”) on behalf of himself/herself and on behalf of Angler’s personal representatives, assigns,  heirs, executors, and successors hereby fully and forever releases, waives, and discharges Berkeley Striper Club and all  sponsoring or co-sponsoring companies or individuals related to the Event, (collectively, "Releasees") from all liability to the  Angler and his/her personal representatives, assigns, heirs, executors, and successors for loss(es), damage(s) and claims  thereof on account of injury to Angler or his/her property or the resultant death of Angler, whether caused by the active or  passive negligence of the Releasees or otherwise, in connection with Angler’s participation in the Event ("Losses"), and further  covenants not to sue any of the aforementioned parties for such Losses. Angler is fully aware of the risks and hazards inherent in participating in the Event and elects to voluntarily participate. Angler  hereby assumes all risks of loss(es), damage(s), or injury(ies) that may be sustained by him/her while participating in the Event.  Angler represents and warrants to the Releasees that he/she is in good physical condition and is able to safely participate in  the Event. Angler warrants that all statements made herein are true and correct and understands that Releases have relied on them in  allowing Athlete to participate in the Event. 

ANGLER HAS READ THE FOREGOING AND INTENTIONALLY AND VOLUNTARILY SIGNS THIS GENERAL RELEASE,  WAIVER OF LIABILITY AND PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT. 

Please ensure you have read and understand the tournament rules before signing the tournament application

Surf Division Prizes (Top 3 Fish)

1st Place:

2nd Place:

3rd Place:

Boat Division Prizes (Top 3 Fish)

1st Place:

2nd Place:

3rd Place:

Grand Prize Drawings (All Tournament Entrants Eligible)

1st Grand Prize:

2nd Grand Prize:

3rd Grand Prize:

The winner of the Surf Division will also have their name permanently added to the trophy plaque displayed at Grumpy's Tackle in Seaside Park, NJ.