Riverhead Town hosted its 20th annual snapper tournament along the Peconic Riverfront Saturday on a gorgeous, sunny afternoon. READ
Tag: Snapper Tournament
It was a good day for the snappers. Only three got caught at Saturday’s 18th annual Snapper Tournament in downtown Riverhead.
Nick Raynor of Riverhead at last year’s snapper tournament. (Credit: Rachel Young, file)
The 17th annual Spanner Tournament along the Peconic River in downtown Riverhead is set for Sept. 27. Hosted by the Riverhead Town Recreation Department, the tournament’s goal is to get get more people into fishing while also raising money for the Riverhead Recreation Department Scholarship Fund.
The tournament is split into two divisions: adults (16&over) and youth (under-16). A rod and reel will be awarded to the first-place winner in each division. And trophies are handed out to the top three finishers in each division.
The first 100 people to register receive a free T-shirt. To pre-register, call 727-5744, ext. 0, visit the website at www.riverheadrecreation.com or go in person to the department at 55 Columbus Ave. in Riverhead.
The tournament begins at 11 a.m. On-site registration starts one hour earlier. The tournament runs until 3 p.m.
Anglers must supply their own rod & reel and bait.
There will also be a Chinese auction for prizes donated by local businesses, which starts at 3:15 p.m.
RACHEL YOUNG PHOTO | Nick Raynor, 14, of Riverhead has participated in the snapper tournament for the past several years.
The docks along the Peconic Riverfront were filled with fishing enthusiasts today for the Town of Riverhead Recreation Department’s 16th annual Snapper Tournament.
Recreation program coordinator Jim Janecek said about 130 people registered for the event, which focuses on getting children and adults interested in fishing and raising money for the recreation department’s scholarship fund.
Winners of the adult (over age 16) and youth divisions (under age 16) were chosen based on the size of the fish they caught and awarded a rod and reel. Trophies were awarded to the top-three finishers in each division.
Nick Raynor, 14, of Riverhead said he’s been fishing “all his life” and that this was the fifth or sixth year he’s participated in the tournament. On Saturday, he caught a snapper measuring 9 and 2/8 inches, putting him in third place for the youth division as of 1 p.m.
“The Snapper derby is a good program,” said Nick, who is a freshman at Bishop McGann-Mercy High School. “It’s fun. I come every year and I plan to keep coming every year.”
FISHING: Snapper tournament The Town of Riverhead Recreation Department will host its annual Snapper Tournament on Saturday, Sept. 7, on the Peconic Riverfront. The focus of the tournament is to get youths and adults involved in fishing and to raise money for the recreation department’s scholarship fund. A rod/reel will go to the winner of the adult (16 and older) and youth (under 16) divisions. Trophies will be awarded to the top three finishers in each division. Free T-shirts will be given to the first 100 registrants. Pre-registration is available by calling (631) 727-5744, ext. 0, or in person at the recreation department at 55 Columbus Avenue, Riverhead. On-site registration will begin at 10 a.m. on the Peconic Riverfront. The tournament will begin at 11 a.m. and end at 3 p.m. Anglers must supply their own poles and bait. In case of inclement weather, call (631) 727-5744, ext. 30 for updated information the morning of the event. The rain date is Sunday, Sept. 8.
BARBARAELLEN KOCH PHOTO | Liam Hansen, 7, of Wading River fishes with his father Mark on the town’s floating dock during the 15th annual Riverhead Snapper Tournament.
More than 150 children and adults participated in the Riverhead Recreation Department’s 15th annual Snapper Tournament held on the Peconic Riverfront Saturday.
The event is designed to get children “hooked” on fishing and to raise money for the recreation department’s youth scholarship fund.
There were 18 fish caught, with sizes ranging from 7 to 9 and 1/8 inches.
All the winners received a trophy and the first place winners received a fishing rod and reel donated by Warren’s Tackle Center of Aquebogue and West Marine of Riverhead. After the winners were announced there was a Chinese Auction with items donated by local merchants. Free hot dogs and soda were donated by the Flanders Men’s Club.
The youth winners were: First place, Ryan Zaleski of Riverhead; second place, Christina Gigante of Lindenhurst; and third place saw two winners, Ava Gradischer of Wading River and Mikayla Nirrengarten.
The adult winners were: First place, Al Raynor of Eastport; second place, James Zaleski of Riverhead; and third place, Don Visek of Aquebogue.
Emily Smitheimer, 12, of Stony Brook, brought a stool from home.
Renee and Joe Dragotto of Middle Island came up empty-handed.
Dalton Lucas, 11, of Jamesport showed off his catch — just under 8 and 3/4 inches.
Recreation Department staff member and tournament director Colleen Eastwood (far right) with winners (back row) Al Raynor of Eastport, Don Visek of Aquebogue, (front row) Ava Gradischer of Wading River, Christina Gigante of Lindenhurst, James Zaleski of Riverhead (holding for his dad Jim) and Ryan Zaleski of Riverhead.