JCAA

      

10th Annual Governor's Surf Fishing Tournament A Success

By Jim Sciascia

Click Here to See the Tournament Winners!!

(from Jersey Coast Anglers Association November 2001 Newsletter)

More than 1,200 participants took part in the Governor's 10th Annual Surf Fishing Tournament on Sunday, October 7 at Island Beach State Park in Ocean County. Despite the cold weather and wind, participants took full advantage of a day outdoors with family and friends.   "I would like to thank the many prize sponsors, volunteers and participants who have helped make the surf tournament a success for the past ten years," said Division Director Bob McDowell "Their cumulative efforts have helped raise nearly $50,000 for a variety of conservation projects such as the construction of a beach access ramp, two mobile fishing education carts, marine education programs and specialized wheelchairs for the disabled and elderly."

The event was sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Fish and Wildlife and Division of Parks and Forestry, the New Jersey Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs, Jersey Coast Anglers Association and the New Jersey Beach Buggy Association. Staff and volunteers from this public/private partnership work together all year long and on the weekend of the event to produce a quality tournament for the surf-angling public.  The judges that patrol the beach allowed these capture fish to be released if the angler wants to.

Approximately 700 participants pre-registered through the mail and over 500 registered on the morning of the tournament.  Many of the entrants invited guests to observe the fun, bringing the total number of spectators and participants to over 1,200.

Albacore, striped bass, blackfish, bluefish, red drum, kingfish and weakfish were eligible for entry in the tournament.   Of these, striped bass, blackfish, bluefish and kingfish were the species submitted.  A total of 41 fish were measured and entered with 26 of these receiving awards.  Overall length determined the grand prizewinner as well as place winners for each of the species categories.  There were children, teen and adult angler categories, including sub-categories for male and female anglers.  In addition, there were categories for fly fishing and Becoming an Outdoors-Woman students (female and male novice anglers who attended the surf fishing workshop held Saturday, October 6th).  The inclusion of first, second and third place winners were dependent upon the number of entries submitted in each species category.

The Grand Prize and Governor's Cup award went to David Hilgar of Fallsington, Pennsylvania for a 35 1/8" striped bass.   Mr. Hilgar received a plaque along with a Penn rod and reel combo. Additionally, his name will be engraved on the Governor's Cup, which will be permanently displayed at Island Beach State Park.  The other winners are posted at our web page or can be sent by email contacting me at JSCIASCI@dep.state.nj.us

Twenty-six surf rod and reel outfits were awarded as prizes.  DEP Commissioner Bob Shinn was present along with Division Director Bob McDowell to make the awards to the successful anglers.

 Included in the prizes were six rod and reel combinations donated by Penn Reels. In addition to tournament prizes, the registration forms of pre-registrants and same-day entrants were placed into special drawings for 50 additional prizes. 

For more information contact: Jim Sciascia at 609-984-6295