Members of the Jersey Coast Anglers Association Committee encourage member clubs to attend 2019 New Jersey HOFNOD, facilitator training hosted by the DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife at Lighthouse Center for Natural Resource Education in Waretown, NJ. The training date is May 71-19, 2019 and it is well worth the time to learn creative aquatic activities to teach youngsters the importance of becoming environmental stewards. During the training session you will learn the following activities: Conservation & Experiential Education Concept Mapping - Ecological Awareness & Wildlife Interdependence - First Impressions, exploring our “perception” about wildlife and ourselves, Rods and Reels - Know your Lures & bait, Exploring the water (hydrologic) cycle, and Fly Tying. If you are interested in attending a NJ HOFNOD workshop, please phone or email Liz Jackson, NJ HOFNOD Coordinator Phone: 908- 637-4125 x 122 email: liz.jackson@dep.state.nj.us.
Adam Aguiar, Professor of Biology, Stockton University and NJ HOFNOD Instructor, visited Brick High Schools Fishing class to present anatomy and biology of Striped Bass. Adam explained the importance of tagging/releasing fish and conservation. He reviewed species like fluke, bluefish, weakfish and the similarities and differences in feeding techniques and behaviors. I enjoyed Adam’s presentation as much as the students. He gave us great insight into how and why Striped Bass feed and behaviors which will help the class target them during future fishing trips. Students were engaged and asked lots of questions. Adam explained the importance of knowing how water temperature affects Striped Bass and attack baits.
Tim Brennan is doing an excellent job of bringing in knowledgeable speakers to teach his students about conservation and sport fishing.
Adam is also a friend of JCAA and worked on the JCAA fluke tournament surveys with Dr. Eleanor Bochenek of Rutgers, The State University, Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory.
I just happened to be driving on Ocean Ave. Point Pleasant Beach, on Thursday, December 13th when students exited a Brick School bus at Jenkinson’s Aquarium. Tim Brennan, Health and Physical Education teacher, scheduled Brick, NJ HOFNOD fishing students for a tour at Jenkinson's Aquarium. Students were able to visit the aquarium and enter special access areas where employees care for animals. Students learned first-hand what was needed to make the aquarium run smoothly and tend to the aquatic residents. Every week Brick High Schools NJ HOFNOD students get to learn something new and travel to water resources in Ocean County.
The Jersey Coast Anglers Association’s Youth Education Committee is asking JCAA member clubs/organizations for a listing of scheduled youth and family events that are going to be held by your club or organization during 2019. The purpose of this request is to alert other fishing clubs and organizations that would like to participate in your youth and family event. The JCAA Newspaper is a way to get the word out about what’s happening in your club. Use this opportunity to inform others about events your fishing club/organization is doing to promote fishing. The Jersey Coast Anglers Association’s Youth Education Committee will support your event with “Hook on Fishing Not on Drugs” materials. Please contact Greg Kucharewski with your listing of youth and family events and don’t forget the Sportsmen Shows and include your booth location, fishing club or organization that will attend. By providing this information you’re fishing club or organization can improve membership and increase consumer participation.
As fishing slows with the cooler weather and winter starts to settle in, it’s time to start looking for great fishing deals at upcoming boating and outdoor sport shows. While you’re at the shows, stop by the JCAA booth to learn what is new with the JCAA Fluke Tournament and ask about becoming a JCAA volunteer. We will also have the latest information about what recreational anglers are concerned about.
Outdoor sport shows start in January and it’s the perfect time of the year to check over your fishing equipment. I always check the following just to make sure I am ready: Inspect rain gear boots/waders for wear, fishing line condition, reel- roller guide/bail spring/handle/drag washers/lubrication, rod tiptop, reel seat, guides, lures, sharpen hooks, check split rings, lure cracks, nose wire bent, touch-up paint, replace deer hair teasers and tubes. You might want to also go through your terminal tackle and sharpen hooks and discard any connecting snaps that are worn. Remember to support your local tackle dealer; they can help with reel and rod repairs. Don’t wait until spring is here, tackle dealers start getting busy just before it starts to warm up.
We received a request from Boating Education and Rescue to conduct fly tying and equipment maintenance for their youth fishing club. We will introduce F3’s new Color On’s and youngsters can design their own tee shirts.
A request from Newark Bait and Fly Casters was received to conduct a HOFNOD learning station for their March 2019 Kids Fishing Night.
During April we will assist with the Play HOOK-e Take a Veteran Fishing at Ponderosa Estates Farm, Lake Julianna ,Millstone, NJ.
Free Veteran Surf Fishing Clinics will resume in May 2019, Funded by Vietnam Veterans Chapter 12 and VFW Post 2226, Oakhurst, NJ. Please phone 732-785-9278 to register.
Governor’s Surf Fishing Tournament May 19, 2019. Who will win the Governor’s Cup and the High School Team Competition trophy?
