Staten Island’s Fishing Derby Casts in Tottenville

Tottenville reeled last night with Staten Island’s Fishing Derby, hooking NYC’s spring on March 25. Angler Sofia Chen landed a bass as 200 cast, a $10 ticket match by the pier. It’s borough tides—pure SI vibe, rods hot. A kid nabbed a minnow; a pro hauled a fluke. ‘Staten fishes—this is it,’ Chen says, baiting hooks. The shore turned contest.

The derby’s fresh—March 25’s start, it tripled since RSVPs, packing docks by 3 p.m. Chen’s a St. George caster; last night’s crowd hit max—reels whirred. A latecomer nabbed a rod; waves lapped—NYC grit glowed. Catches hit ten—hauls ruled. #SIFishing trended; Bronx wants a line.

Some griped—’Too wet,’ sniped a newbie, dodging spray. A line tangled—fixed quick; vibe held. A rival’s pitching a Midland cast, splitting anglers. Still, 300 stayed—fish reigned. Tottenville’s never cast so bold.

Chen’s teasing a monthly run, maybe a dusk fish if spring bites. ‘NYC’s waters—this pulls ‘em,’ she says, packing tackle. The derby’s a Staten win—grit meets tide. It’s a fishing rush; catch the next. Bring rods—waves call.