Hudson River Cow Headlines 2026 Striper Cup Week 2 Winners

The 2026 Striper Cup Week 2 is in the books. Meet the winners from New York to Rhode Island as the spring striped bass run hits full stride coast to coast.

By OTW StaffMay 13, 2026

Week 2 of the 2026 Striper Cup is in the books, and the spring run has shifted into high gear. Big fish kept pushing north along the Jersey beaches and into the New York Bight, Long Island Sound lit up on both shores, and the body of bass that flooded Narragansett Bay around the May full moon spread into Rhode Island Sound and Buzzards Bay. Solid reports of fish are also coming out of the Cape Cod Canal, and bunker pods continue to be the story up and down the south side — find the bait, and the bigger bass aren’t far behind.

For the latest on where the fish are, check the On The Water Striper Migration Map and the May 12 Striper Migration Report.

Week 2 Winners

Five anglers from the Hudson River down to the Jersey Shore took home this week’s prizes from PENN, Bubba, YETI, and Costa.

Shore — Tyler Momrow

Troy, NY
Wins the PENN Slammer 5500 / Carnage 10′ Combo
Tyler put in the work after dark on the Hudson and came tight to a true cow — a Shore-division catch that sets the bar for the season.

Week 2 Shore winner Tyler Momrow of Troy, NY with his striped bass

Boat — Christopher Viverito

Cedar Grove, NJ
Wins the PENN Fathom LP 500
Chris fooled this thick spring bass on a glide bait, a lure that pays off when big fish are keyed in on bunker.

Week 2 Boat winner Christopher Viverito of Cedar Grove, NJ with his striped bass

Kayak — Brian Strayer

North Kingstown, RI
Wins the Bubba Multi-Flex Interchangeable Set
Brian got it done from the yak while repping the OTW trucker hat.

Week 2 Kayak winner Brian Strayer of North Kingstown, RI with his striped bass

Youth Catch of the Week — Ryan Shimaitis

Jamesport, NY
Wins the YETI Cayo 25L Backpack
Ryan with a stud spring striper out of Long Island Sound.

Youth Catch of the Week winner Ryan Shimaitis of Jamesport, NY with his striped bass

Costa Photo Contest — Dennis Giuliano

Middletown, NJ
Wins a pair of Costa Sunglasses
Dennis nailed the shot with sunset light, glass-calm water, and a healthy striper held perfectly over the bow of his paddleboard. The frame that defines a perfect spring evening on the water.

Week 2 Costa Photo Contest winner Dennis Giuliano of Middletown, NJ

Week 3 Prizes Up for Grabs

Submit a striper between May 11 and May 18 and you’re in the running for over $1,700 in YETI gear, plus a special Fly Bonus prize from Greys Fishing — a fly-fishing-only entry on top of your regular division shot.

Shore: YETI Hopper Flip 18 Soft Cooler
Boat: YETI Camino 35 Carryall Tote
Kayak: YETI 14L Daytrip Tote Cooler + GoBox 1 Gear Case
Youth: YETI Cayo 25L Backpack
Fly Bonus (Week 3 only): Greys Tital Fly Reel + Wing 10wt Salt Fly Rod

See the full 20-week prize lineup →

JOIN THE TOURNAMENT →

How to Join the Striper Cup

The Striper Cup is On The Water’s flagship 20-week catch-photo-release striped bass tournament, running May through late September. Catch a striper, snap a photo, submit it through the form on StriperCup.com, and every inch counts as another entry into that week’s drawing.

New to the tournament? Check the FAQ for everything you need to know.

Every registration includes a Striper Box: a Columbia PFG branded shirt, Rapala lure, OTW snapback, collectible commemorative pin, YETI discount codes, and a Golden Ticket good for free StriperFest admission and entry into the grand prize boat raffle.

Eighteen weeks left. Don’t miss out.

OTW Staff

The On The Water staff is made up of experienced anglers from across the Northeast who fish local waters year-round. The team brings firsthand, on-the-water experience and regional knowledge to coverage of Northeast fisheries, techniques, seasonal patterns, regulations, and conservation.