The champ is back, and the fish are here 06/29/2010
 I finally had a chance to get out and catch some fish after a long spring. Captain Seamus is back in town and asked me to help him out with a crew as he was fishing a bridge boat and could use the hand staying at the helm and on the fish at the same as easy as possible. I finished up the school year on Thursday and Seamus asked me to help out Friday which was a perfect fishing wake-up call for me. I will not give up too much info on the fishing other than it was very very good. I do not want Seamus to have to kill me for providing too many details. Left at 10:00 am on a warm, bright, summer flat calm day. Hit one spot without going far, dropped in the rigs, and caught lots of 12-25lb bass. The action was fierce and as the mate I only lost one smaller fish. It was only the second fish of the day and losing that one made me feel like I was back on the Prowler working with Al Anderson. Seamus shrugged it off as no big deal and we went on to catch a ton of fish without another miss. Capt. Al would have crush me for that one miss to the point where it F’ed up the rest of the day for everyone including the anglers. It has been a long time since I have been a mate and getting back into the groove of catching fish and being out on the water was sweet. It is now time to get back out on the Jackal and get ready for this tournament! Sweet fish 06/23/2010
 Been awhile, but we’re back in action. We’ve been busy getting some more of the groundwork laid, and should have the t-shirts ready to roll in a week. Send us your sizes to headhunt@gmail.com if you want one. Right now we have a couple different designs from our boy Nick at Designs by Disorder who is great. Last weekend we took the Jackal out to Nantucket, brought the girls along and had a good time. Unfortunately we didn’t get to fish much, but saw acres of bait off of the beach by Great Point where we cruised on a rented jeep. Haven’t heard too much yet on the rips, but did see a guy coming into Saquatucket with a cooler full of bass (most looked 36’ range) that he said he got at the point so that is encouraging. The day before we took out captain of Magalodon's sweet new rig out to Stellwagen for some tuna action. We got out there early friday and trolled across literally acres of bass who were all over the surface and hit our squid bars and live mackerel. No tuna, but on our way back in, literally 2 miles from the Gurnet outside Plymouth harbor we saw some action on the surface - got closer and saw some good 200 lb class tuna literally slow rolling over each other - very weird and they wouldn't take the various junk we threw at them. Crazy how close they were and our buddy saw a stick boat in that area later in the day so maybe they had some better luck. In other fishing news, our boy Benny on Team Magalodon was down in Texas this and caught the beauty you see above. Intimidating stuff. Also, our boy Tria on the legendary Team Jackal hit a fluke tourney last weekend in Rhody and picked up some nice fluke and a few good seabass. And last night he hit his old grounds at the Charlestown breachway last night and picked up 8 keeper bass - 3 sellers. Take note Magalodon, that's how team Jackal does it. Or at least one of us. We have a few more boats in the mix, with a veteran team from Brewster signing up. Good to have them back and hope we can get some more teams coming in soon – Harry Corduroy where are you? Defending champ Seamus from Jailbreak Sportfishing is back up from the deep south where he was swordfishing for the winter. Someone is going to figure out that chartering Seamus for a pre-fishing trip to the rips is the perfect way to get the inside track on where to go come tourney day – just don’t tell the angry Irishman you’re in the tourney. We’ll try to update the blog more in the coming weeks, and hopefully now that my brother is out of school he can get another one of his rants cooking. The rookies respond 06/15/2010
 Apparently the rookies weren't too pleased with my comments last night, but did the right thing and sent a response (with pic) - keep'em coming - “BHS may be rookies to the tourney but how many stripers (or any other fish) have the Burke Brothers caught this year? In order to catch fish you have to fish! By looking at S. Burkes post he needs to get something; stripers or strippers before he loses it. Or maybe he should take some fishing lessons from the women above---who has a great pair of……….bass! This will be the first time fishing Monomoy for us, but look forward to the challenge and hope to boat some fish. At least we will be doing it on our own and not shelling out a local charter fee to fill our fish boxes. Burkes good luck fishing this weekend hope you can catch something beside salt spray! We look forward to participating in the tourney this year and the future, lest see what we can do. At least we have learned how not to launch a boat now!” Jeff, Team BHS Sponsors, Tourney Rookies, and More 06/14/2010
 The tournament chatter is well under way, and planning is going full steam ahead. We have a few initial designs for the t-shirts, have a number of sponsors lined up (thank you to Flipkey.com and Kusmin Family Builders as the most recent additions), and are in the process of getting some stickers and cozies lined up courtesy of Hammerhead Creatives. There are still sponsor spots available, only $100 gets you some kickass space on this site (for the 14 people who visit us a month), a few shout outs at the after party, but inclusion on the approximately 300 t-shirts that will be made for the tourney. And a official sponsor edition of the tourney shirt. T-shirts are well worth the price based on the amount you’ll see these shirts up and down the east coast. Quick story, our buddy Abes has lived in the Dominican Republic for 3 years now, and at the end of every school year gives away some of his old stuff before he heads out. For some reason, he gave away one of the earlier Headhunt shirts. A year later, in the streets of the capital city, he saw a random Dominican guy wearing the Headhunt shirt. He stopped him and asked where he got it and the guy ran - true story. Local tourney. Global exposure. Anyway, sounds like we have a few new teams lined up, with a recent entry from some rookies out of Bourne/Falmouth submitting last week (an anonymous person emailed in the pic above of them pre-fishing Jenkins pond earlier this season). This is a local, community driven tournament, so we appreciate the donation from this crew. I hear they’ve been talking a little smack, which is great to see and exactly what we want to foster as part of this tourney, but I’m not sure they can handle the rips of Monomoy, or the pressure of this tournament. They submitted their team name of BHS – which doing some research looks like it must be these guys – this should at least make for some good entertainment at the after party. Lastly, here’s to hoping that long time tourney veteran Bennie Allen can make it this year. He realized his wife’s birthday is the same day, so it is going to take some serious angling to make it happen – let us know what we can do to help make the case, otherwise team Magalodon may be in some trouble. Or in more trouble than they already were. Let us know if you have any questions and look forward to stirring the pot more in the coming weeks. Good chance the Burke bros. are at the Hot Stove in Harwich this Friday night if anyone is up for some pre-tourney trash talk over a couple beers. We’re also headed to Nantucket for the weekend and looking to fish around the island a bit on Saturday if anyone is in the area. We heard some folks had trouble posting comments on the site. Looking into it, but you can always email headhunt@gmail.com and we’ll put it up right away – and we’re looking for guest bloggers so fire away. As always, feedback is welcome, and look forward to getting this baby going. These are the times that try mens poles 06/06/2010
 I do not know about anyone else, but my pole is being tried right now. It is being tried because it is not getting out enough or even at all at this point. The kids, the yard, the boat prep, the blah blah has me getting prepared to fish but in the meantime I am not fishing. I have a sweet boat, a great location, great fishing grounds and ……………!@#$%^&* Every year I come back to this tourney and wonder why I/we do it again? A lot of work for???? It is not a money making endeavor which is something I could use right now, getting out and about to promote the event is not my thing as people who know me understand very well, working with my bro and pops is not always easy, and social events in general are often not my gig. Sitting here right now trying to figure out what to type helps me realize why I/we do this tourney even though it can sometimes suck setting it up. I do the headhunt mainly because it helps make me fish and think about fishing and talk about fishing and think about getting out on our boat and fishing which is something that I love. Fishing is something that I love but it is also something that I could too easily lose in my quest to take care of so much other stuff that we all know, but often forget, will never be fully conquered or go away. IN OTHER WORD!!!@#$% I need to get out fishing and thinking about this dam tourney is helping me get back to doing my best to get out. It is now June and I have yet to catch a striper but there would be no way for me to catch one as I have yet to really go fishing for them other than a few random casts at random times from the most ridiculous spots at the worst times. To sum my rant up – IT IS HEADHUNT TIME – Headhunt time for at least means it is striper fishing time out here in Harwich and on the Cape in general and the purpose and competition of the tourney gets me going with some important fishing priorities. I need to pre-fish, prep, and….. … I need to stop and just fish and have fun which is what I/we just want this tourney to be for us and others and I personally just want others to get into the “fun” but “no joke” competition of it all like I do. I am wrapped up again this weekend but will get out on the water with a purpose asap and I will do so for the HeadHUNT if nothing else. And I know that the headhunt keeps me from losing my focus on what I like to do and being able to fish for competition makes it all seem worthwhile kind of like it is a job even if it is only for one day. Our job is to try and win this thing and we are on the 7th year and we have never been able to win our own tourney even after coming so close numerous years. I love that I am beginning to hate other local teams and starting to think about seeing what other teams may step up. The bay boats are still allowed, the charter boats are still allowed, and we are still keeping things open until keeping the game and the opp to win this thing wide open becomes a big problem. It is starting to become go time for me at least and hopefully a few of you other Cape Cod fishermen out there. Yours truly, The dalai lamda lamda lamda The clock is ticking 06/02/2010
 It is officially June, and time to kick the Headhunt preparations into high gear. We have Jake Rooney’s locked down again as tourney after party host, and are already getting inquiries about registration. Feel free to submit your registration online, or email us at headhunt@gmail.com. We are also looking for anyone interested in a sponsorship, which will include sponsorship on this site, signs, and on the t-shirts. If anyone has been out and had any early luck, let us know and we’ll post reports on the site. I’ve only been out for bass once, having some luck w/ tourney veteran Ethan Kusmin on his new rig – a 24 ft Grady White that ran like a dream. We hit Plymouth harbor and got a few keepers a couple weeks back, and made some sweet fish tacos. We’ll be looking to get out more in the next weeks as we hear the bass are starting to show in bigger numbers down the Cape. I don’t think the tourney stomping grounds out at Monomoy have lit up yet, but should be fairly soon. The trash talking has begun already as well, with defending champs Team Powe finally getting their trophy. The first version did not have one members name on it, but the list of names came from another member so you can figure out pretty quickly the chemistry on that team – 6 teammates, 6 cabs home. We are also looking to have a couple crews who missed out last year for various reasons but were in earlier tournaments, so will be good to have them back. On the flip side, tourney stalwart, and past champion, Mick Carrier has moved from the Cape so we will miss him dearly this year – and will pour a 40 into the rips for him in his honor. As always, Mike O’Brien, Gordie, Charlotte and the gang hope to make another run at the title (as 3 time champs). We will have the t-shirts ready to roll soon, and have a new designer helping us out so hope to have some kick-ass shirts this year. Let us know if you have any questions. It’s go time. We're back!! 04/10/2010
 The 2010 tourney is official. The date of the 7th Annual Harwich Headhunt Striper Tourney is July 17th. Please email us at headhunt@gmail.com if you’re interested in registering ($100 a boat this year), sponsoring (name on t-shirts, website, etc.) or helping out (plenty of work to do so any/all help is appreciated). We’ll be updating the site more frequently as the date nears, but we’re hoping to make this year’s tournament another great one. Last year will be hard to top – with 25 boats, great weather, and an awesome after party hosted by the folks at Jake Rooney’s – the same spot we hope to have it again this year. The interest has already started, with a couple inquiries from new folks and a crew from 2 years ago potentially having a bachelor party crew down for the Headhunt weekend. We will be losing past champion and tourney veteran Mick Carrier who moved south, but should have the returning champs/loudmouths of Team Powe – captained by Seamus Muldoon of Jailbreak charters (if you want to get on fish on the Cape – call Seamus at 401.265.8262 – and mention the Headhunt sent you for a discount!), as well as other local veterans (and past champs) Gordie, O’Brien, and Charlotte. We’re in the process of getting this year’s t-shirts made, so if you have any ideas for slogans/designs, shoot us an email – free shirts for you and your crew if we use your idea. Well, we’re ready to kick this baby off and if the Burke family can keep from killing each other we just might make the 7th annual happen. And so it ends 07/28/2009
 It is Tuesday July 28, 2009 and I am now beginning to sit back and take a look at the day and realize how well it went. I had a great time as did all of our team Jackal members but hearing more and more as the days go by how much so many other people had fun really helps me realize why we set this year after year. I am not one who enjoys promoting or even socializing in crowds with new people very much which often makes me wonder why I keep doing the Headhunt but this year’s event was much better for me than years past as the crowd was a little more diverse, the competition once again steeper as it is year after year, and the overall “good times” vibe in the air throughout the entire weekend was in full force. Well, our team, once again, did not win our own event but I must say that I am glad that Seamus Muldoon and his vessel “JailBreak” with team Powe aboard took the #1 prize. Their 33 lber came in first and as I spoke about at the banquet– I am glad that a local boat fishing the south side won. No offense to the Bay guys who deserve full credit for the tourney’s overall biggest fish so far a 39 lber caught by Billy Hatfield and his crew last year but it was good to see the biggest fish caught this year in the waters that started this tourney. It was also great to see Seamus and his crew TJ, Petey, Pop, Jeremy, and Dega take down Mike O’Brien, Gordy, Jimmy, Pete and their crew like a bear slapping a billy goat across the face and then eating her for lunch. The three time champs placed second for the second year in a row which must be a tough pill to once again swallow. Mike O’Brien and his team were taken down by Mike’s friend and foe Seamus Muldoon and the tension continues to linger around town with these two so take notes folks as this story looks like it could be a future best seller. Before I go any further I want to thank again Arlie Ex and Tom Z. for keeping the lines tight for his team. Next year we expect to see you at the banquet Captain. Some people have an issue with charter Captains competing in the same category as us civilian but I personally love having these Captains and boats in the mix and each year to motivate me to try to take them down. Maybe I should care more about the charter boat issue as I know some people do and have a legit reason to and we will take people’s concerns into full consideration but I never see us fully removing the “top dogs”. We will take a look at everything again this off season and adjust as needed but I still think that myself and my team Jackal could take either one of these guys in years to come. Another great thing about this year is that 3rd place went to the Navigator and their crew who were new to the event. They fished in what one would say the big boat category (a 47ft Riviera) with a great crew who were friend of my parents but I now consider good friends of my brother and I just from this event. They had a great time, fished hard, and competed well and they are also a group who have been around Harwich a long time which is always good to see. Other than a random charter boat out of Centerville almost running us over after following us two miles down the rip when we first moved to give him his way everything was great. Literally, this guy was about 20 feet from us, not looking at all, and finally moved when we yelled in his direction. It was unreal. More importantly, I want to once again thank all of our sponsors, teams, and dare I say “fans”. I have been out today at the harbor, the tackle shop, and just around and I keep hearing how much fun people had and thanking me which is great. It has been a thankless endeavor in many ways in the past which has made it tough for me to continue but this year was a true turning point for me as I heard more thanks, observed more appreciation and fun on people’s faces this past weekend than ever before which is the only reason I ever wanted to do this whole thing in the first place. This year I was able to truly hand out with great friends and meet new people who were just happy to be a part of the event which was great. Thanks again to Jake Rooney’s for taking us on and taking care of us this year. The scene was fantastic, the food was great, and their crew also seemed to have some fun. Great job to Pete and his crew and hopefully it worked out as well for them as it did for us. We obviously have more to think about to improve things for next year and in years past I did not look forward to doing it again but this year I do. I also want to thank my brother who was the spark for this tournament. In fact, he is the main energy behind the Harwich Headhunt and without him I would have let it go a long time ago. I just want to thank Ryan for getting me through this year and pumped about the tourney. Speaking of my dad Billy I truly want to say thanks as his involvement this year has been helpful. Working so close with the bro and the pop’s is not always my best idea of fun as I think it would be hard for many to work so closely on a project with your closest family members. We still have some work to do in this area but following this year’s successful even I have much more confidence to make the situation and tournament even better. Friends and many others have jumped in already to talk about plans for next year. People have offered help in the past but this year the help was much offered is such a better and more constructive manner than years past. I guess that it is time for me to wrap up my journal entry and get back to reporting. Speaking of reporting, please get us your photos from your day fishing and/or from the banquet. We will put as many pictures as possible online and are also looking to link in video clips so get us what you have so we can improve the site. Channel 18 Harwich is also going to be airing our banquet starting this Thursday at 11:00 am and 6:00pm through the weekend and when they send me the dvd we will look to link it to our site. Thanks again to everyone and we’ll get more details up soon. Pre-Game at the Stove Tonight 07/24/2009
 Let’s cross our fingers on the weather. At this point, we’re still on. Forecast looks like it should be blowing through tonight and tomorrow should be settling down. If anyone has any questions about this, just email us (headhunt@gmail.com) or give us a call 617.216.5833. Down to the Wire 07/22/2009
 First off, Bob Joyce – Bob Halloran- and Mr. Hogan, I know that you all signed up for our tourney at Sunrise Bait and Tackle which is great. I/we just now need some contact info. and also would like you guys to sign the waiver form before Saturday but we do not have any contact info. Could you contact us at 774.487.0612 when you get a chance? |
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