Team Striper -- a group of fishermen from Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut -- will drink from the Striper Cup at Sunday's StriperFest in Boston. The event marks the end of this year's season-long Striper Cup Tournament, organized by On The Water magazine.

"This year, Team Striper boasted a 52.7-pound average, which far exceeded any average we've had in the past," says Jennifer Tribble, the magazine's associate editor. "Teammates Keith Salisbury, Chris Daniels, Robert Taylor and 'Iron' Mike Everin all won monthly prizes." They are all surf fishermen.

Tribble says Team Striper fought "a pretty tough battle against Team Jersey Shore, Team Dick's and Striped-Bass.com. Team Jersey Shore always makes a formidable showing at the beginning of the season because of the tremendous spring blitzes, but it's difficult for the team to maintain the lead after the bass migrate northward.

"Striped-Bass.com, an Internet club comprised of members from all over New England, took the cup last year, and despite an impressive rally in August, failed to displace Team Striper."

The tournament was not without controversy. The event's organizers disqualified Sean W. Bradshaw, of Pawcatuck, Conn., after environmental police charged him with poaching.

"At the time of the arrest, Connecticut and Rhode Island officers seized 42 striped bass, total weight 971 pounds, and 89 scup, total weight 87 pounds," said authorities in Connecticut. "With the fair market value for commercial striped bass at around $3 per pound, the estimated value of this bass was $2,913. All of the fish was donated to the Amos House in Providence." A fish dealer in Rhode Island was also charged in the case.

The winners of the five-month-long event receive only a trophy.