NEWS: Block Island Inshore Fishing Tournament A Big Success

The Block Island Inshore Fishing Tournament ended Sunday, July 23, with a winning striped bass that measured 48 inches caught by Team Frayed Knot, led by Capt. Richard Lipsitz of North Kingstown, RI.

In total, twenty-five teams participated in the two-day event. Tournament host Captain Chris Willi of Block Island Fishworks said, “We increased participation by a third for a total of 122 anglers and we were able to make a $6,000 contribution to the Block Island Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department.” Capt. Willi said, “Thanks to Ørsted (owners of the Block Island Wind Farm) and their sponsorship of the tournament, we were able to donate 100 percent of tournament fees to the Fire & Rescue Department along with a gift from Capt. Nick’s Rock & Roll Bar, where the tournament awards ceremony was held.”

Over $10,000 in prizes, gift cards and tournament swag were awarded at the ‘After Party’ on Sunday the 23rd at 2:00 p.m.

The Tournament included shore, fly fishing, youth and boat divisions. Striped bass and bluefish were included for all four divisions, along with black sea bass and fluke for boat and youth divisions. Also, a team prize with photo division prizes taken with the Block Island Wind Farm in background were awarded for Best Fish, Best Scenic and Best Team photos.

The Best Scenic Photo in the Block Island Wind Farm went to Dariusz Kolodziejczak of Johnston, RI.

The First Place Team category saw a three-way tie. The tie was between: Team Tightlined led by Taylor Ingraham of Norwalk, CT, Team Grateful 5 of Narragansett, RI (including Rick Black along with Dustin, Flynn, Hayes and Tucker Jansen), and Team Defiant led by Eugene Burger of Cutchogue, NY.

Team Defiant was also awarded the Best Team Photo in the Block Island Wind Farm area.

Angler Colin Mansfield of Medford, MA dominated the shore division with a 29-inch striped bass and a 33-inch bluefish taking first place for both shore division species.

Tournament co-sponsors were:

• Whalers Brewing, South Kingstown
• Quaker Lane Bait & Tackle, North Kingstown
• The Saltwater Edge, Middletown
• Ocean State Tackle, Providence
• Snug Harbor Marina, South Kingstown
• Watch Hill Outfitters, Westerly.

Visit www.sandypointco.com/bi-inshore-tourney for full tournament results once they become available.

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