First Inshore Classic reels them in
BY STEVE SHEPPARD
When it comes to fishing, fall's the best - both weather-wise and for

Nick Lombardi, above, holds the bluefish he caught Sunday at Great Point. He was fishing with Inshore Classic participant Gary Caruso, who hoped for similar results. Veteran fisherman and tackle shop owner Barry Thurston, left, says the tournament has been "a fun way of finishing up the season."

variety - and island anglers relish the opportunity to pick and choose a bit. While some fishermen favor the bluefish, a voracious feeder known for putting up a good fight, others like the striped bass, a more picky eater that often plays hard to get. There's the football-shaped bonito, too, a less frequent visitor than bass or blues, giving it a special allure; and don't forget the false albacore, a true sporting fish. "I'd rather catch those albacore than anything," notes Barry Thurston, who knows a thing or two about fishing, having run his tackle shop near Straight Wharf for nearly 30 years.

No matter which fish is preferred, all have been in play the past month during the first Nantucket Inshore Classic, a tournament where fishermen vie for the largest bluefish, striped bass, bonito and false albacore. It doesn't matter where you fish - from shore or on a boat - or how - fly reel or spinning reel - all are part of the action. To qualify for the tournament, anglers need only to register at one of the island's four tackle shops or at the Nantucket Anglers' Club (the tournament's semi-official headquarters), pay a $50 fee and hit the beach. Included in the fee are a t-shirt and membership privileges at the Anglers' Club for the duration of the tourney. There is no fee for fishermen who are 15- years-old or younger. The tournament began Sept. 16 and ends Saturday.

The Inshore Classic is also a first in that all the island tackle shops are co-sponsoring it. "Last year, we all sponsored our own tournaments," said Capt. Lynne Heyer of Cross Rip Outfitters. "The Anglers' Club had three separate tournaments."

"This is the first time all the tackle shops are working together," agreed Thurston. The island-wide participation not only fosters a collegiality among the tackle shops, it promotes friendly competition among anglers as well.

The Inshore Classic draws its inspiration from the Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby, a renowned tournament celebrating its 61st year. "That's a big, big deal over there," notes Thurston. "Last year they had 2,600 entrants."

While the numbers for Nantucket aren't quite at that level, with around 125 fishermen taking part, the first year participation is encouraging. Tackle shop owners hope that when word gets out, more fishermen, both on and off island, will join in. Even the weekend angler has a sporting chance.

"That's the beauty of a month-long tournament," Thurston said. "In the course of a month, anybody can find the time to fish."

So, although the tournament ends Saturday at 4 p.m., it's not too late to land a prize winner. "You could go out tonight and win that tournament," Thurston notes. "With a little luck the right fish could come along."

That's what happened to Chris Cook. He knew he had a big one, he just didn't know how big.

When Cook, an avid fisherman who for nine years has been locker room manager at the Nantucket Golf Club, went out a week ago Monday on Bruce Beebe's charter boat, Kevin Conrad had the biggest striped bass to that time with a 42-inch beauty. Although Cook had signed up for the Inshore Classic two weeks before, this was his first opportunity to fish offshore. "When I got on the boat I said, 'I've got to catch a 48-inch bass.' "

After the fish hit his line, it was like reeling in

spare tire. It wasn't a 48-incher, but it was close at 46 inches. With his huge, 36-pound bass, Cook holds a strong lead in the all-tackle boat division going into Saturday.

But that's just one category. Tim Griffin landed a 4 pound, 4.4 ounce bluefish on his fly rod last week. "I was on my boat in the harbor," he said.

Actually, I was trying to catch a bass." His blue wasn't enough to overtake leader Meg Blair at that point (who had caught a 4 pound, 8.8 ounce blue from a boat with a fly rod), but there was still time to try again. "It was a good lunch, anyway," he said.

And then there's Richard Beaulieu, who caught his 7 pound, 15.6 ounce bonito during the tournament's first day. No one yet has challenged him.

As the tournament winds down, there's hope that the fishing will improve. "Fall fishing so far has been slow," Heyer said of what is traditionally Nantucket's premier fishing season. For those taking part in the Inshore Classic, however, the new tournament is quickly catching on. "It's a fun way of finishing up the season," Thurston said, who pointed out that this tourney is truly about the fishing. "It's not a money derby," he said. "People are fishing for pride and pleasure."

It will come to a close Saturday afternoon at the Anglers' Club, where final results and rewards will be announced. Proceeds will benefit the Anglers' Club scholarship fund.

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