The Nessel Brothers, Jacob and Richie, are this year’s honorees at the Annual Montauk Harbor Old Timer’s Dinner, on Thursday June 5, 2014. The benefit will take place at the Clam and Chowder House at Salivar’s from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Jacob and Richie Nessel have made their living fishing in Montauk for over 50 years. The brothers own their own boats and have also worked on several charter and party boats in the hamlet. The duo are fishing activists, record-holders and legends in Montauk’s Harbor Community.
Richie Nessel, who is the captain of the “Nasty Ness,” recently received the Chester Wolf IGFA Sportsman Award at the First Annual Shark’s Eye Tournament. He was also influential in easing this year’s NY State fishing regulations and catch limits, specifically addressing the summer flounder restrictions in New York State compared to neighboring states. Nessel reached out to Governor Cuomo and invited him for a day of fishing on his boat, which resulted in awareness of the unjust regulations and a change in the daily bag limits by the Department of Environmental Conservation.
Jacob Nessel began fishing in Montauk with his dad back in 1951. By 1955, fifteen-year-old Jake was working as a deckhand on Montauk party boats. Captain Jake spent the next 15 years running the Marlin 3, 4 and 5. His own charter boat, “Sportfisher,” fished in 1994 and 1995 and since 1996 he has captained the Marlin5/Ebb Tide. Captain Jake’s many fishing achievements include two 18 lb. fluke, a women’s world record 55 lb. codfish and the current 50 lb. world record codfish of 85 lbs. He also won the first ever Marine Basin Shark Tournament (then the Fins and Feathers) landing a 320 lb. mako shark.
Tickets are $40, and are available at the Montauk Chamber of Commerce office (742 Montauk Highway, Montauk), by calling 631-668-2428, or online at www.montaukchamber.com.
Clam & Chowder House At Salivar’s Dock is located at 470 West Lake Drive in Montauk.