FALL CSA CLUB TOURNAMENT
The Fall CSA Club tournament is held the fall of 2024 - beginning October 2nd - ending 12noon November 6th.
CSA Member Made Plug Tournament
This tournament requires the angler to use a plug/lure made by a CSA member (current or former). The angler does not have to have made the plug themselves; this allows for non plug builders to participate.
Participation Requirements: Open to all CSA members in good standing, i.e. membership dues are paid.
General Tournament Rules:
Fish must be caught with both feet planted on terra firma
Overall length measured from tip of the nose to tip of the tail
Entries are based on the honor system (Photos would be great for newsletter purposes though)
Entries can be sent to Mike Mullen at mike@highhooklures.com
Format: Largest striped bass (total measured length) caught on a CSA made plug wins. In the event of a tie, the first entry submitted will be the winner. Weight of the fish makes no difference.
Entry Fee:
To participate in the tournament, each participant must provide a new, in-package lure (no soft plastics) - this donation/entry fee does NOT have to be made by a CSA member.
Prizes: The member with the largest striped bass caught on a CSA member made plug will win all the plugs entered as the entry fee.
General Clarification Questions:
Does a rigged sluggo count: No
If you poured your own soft plastic style lure, does that count: No
Does the plug/lure builder have to be an active CSA member: No
Does an eel (attached) on a member poured lead jighead count? No
Do plug kits assembled by members count? Yes
Does a member made bucktail count? No
CSA HIGH HOOK - SEASON LONG CONTEST
The High Hook Award is presented to the club member catching the largest fish in a particular species category for the year. The High Hook award has been presented since the first year of the club's establishment. While not required for the purpose of this High Hook Award, catch and release is encouraged. Additionally, safe release of Striped Bass longer than 35” is now legally required in the state of Connecticut.
Divisions: there are 2 divisions Senior and Junior (16 and younger) for all eligible species: Striped Bass, Bluefish, False Albacore, Weakfish, Flounder and Blackfish, all of which can be pursued in three categories, bait, lure, and fly. Each High Hook is awarded a certificate in recognition of the angler's accomplishment, awards are presented at the club's year end banquet.
High Hook Rules are as follows:
1. Fish must be caught from shore or surf, with both feet planted on Terra Firma.
2. The High Hook club tournament generally runs from the first Sunday following Thanksgiving for a period of one year.
3. Overall length, measured from the tip of the lip, to the end of the tail, is used to determine the winner. Weight is optional and not used to determine a winner.
4. Entries must be reported by the first membership meeting following the catch.
5. Entries can be sent to Mike Mullen at mike@highhooklures.com or the current Club President via email or submitted in writing at a club meeting.
SPRING COW
2024 Spring Cow - Brian Mawdsley with his recently caught 40” bass!
Our club’s earliest club spring event is the Spring Cow. Just as the name suggests, the member who catches a striper, in the maritime district, after spring begins (for us it is 11:06PM March 19), 40” or greater. Jim Munson was shooting for a hat trick having won in 2022 and 2023.
Striper-a-month
Each year CSA runs a year long contest to see who can catch a striped bass in the 12 month period between December of the previous year and November of the current year.
SPRING CSA PLUG TOURNAMENT
The Connecticut Surfcasters Association holds a month long tournament in the spring for fish caught on a member-made plug. The plug must be made by a CSA member and be made of wood or resin, and either hand carved or turned on a lathe. Jigs and soft plastics are not considered during this tournament. The "winner" is determined by honor system, length of fish from tip of mouth to tip of tail and caught in a surfcasting situation.