Get ready to enter the largest surf-fishing tournament along the Jersey Shore. This year, it will be bigger and better than ever. The 28th Anniversary of the Governor’s Surf Fishing Tournament will be on Sunday, May 19, 2019. Don’t miss a day of family fun! Pick up a brochure about the tournament at Island Beach State Park or at your favorite tackle dealer.
Remember admission to the park is FREE for the tournament. We would like to remind our physically challenged anglers that there is an area at OBA 1 with beach wheelchairs available. The JCAA Youth Education Committee is helping novice and physically challenged anglers at the Governor's Surf Fishing Tournament. World Jeep – Chrysler – Dodge - Ram, Shrewsbury, NJ will assist physically challenged anglers with a NEW 4x4 VIP vehicle to transport anglers that will be fishing the reserved area in front of OBA 1. Team World Jeep Chrysler will also be available to answer questions about 4x4 beach maintenance and fluids.
For more information about the Tournament visit www.njfishandwildlife.com or call (609) 748-4347.
Register: All participants 16 years and older must register with NJ Saltwater Registry. Registration is free! You can register at this link.
Date: Sunday, May 19, 2019
Location: Island Beach State Park, Seaside Park
The Governor has been invited to present the prizes during the awards ceremony. The individual catching the largest fish will receive the “Governor’s Trophy,” high end rod and reel combo, and have their name engraved on the Governor’s Cup, which is permanently displayed at Island Beach State Park.
Cost: Early Registration - Ages 18 and older: $15, ages 13-17: $5, ages 12 and under: FREE! Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult, and are still required to register. Same Day Registration opens 5am Sunday at Pavilion #1. Regular Registration - ages 18 and older: $20, ages 13-17: $5, ages 12 and under: FREE! Food and beverages will be available for purchase.
Early Entry Incentive: If postmarked by April 22, 2019 you will:
Members of the Vietnam Veterans of America (Chapter 12), Jersey Shore Surfcaster’s and volunteer anglers from various fishing clubs will also assist physically challenged anglers. If you know a disabled veteran or angler that would like to fish the tournament, please phone Greg K. at 732-785-9278 or email gkucharews@jcaa.org.
Don’t forget to register early for the High School Team Competition for Governor’s Surf Fishing Tournament on Sunday, May 19, 2019. How does the High School Fishing Team Competition work? Five school-age students that are part of a formal fishing club or members of a NJ “Hooked on Fishing Not on Drugs” group or a non-formal angling group can register for the Governor’s Annual Surf Fishing Tournament.
Each High School will participate as a team with no limit to the number of anglers per each school. There must be one chaperone, 21 years or older, for every 5 high school students. Chaperones are not eligible to fish and must remain with their high school students during the entire Tournament. All angling team members will receive a t-shirt for registering.
GSFT committee members feel the expanded opportunity for youth angling groups to fish the GSFT will create more excitement and recognition for young anglers on tournament day.
For more information about New Jersey High School Team Surf Fishing, click this link.
Since speaking to Ed Markowski, at the JCAA Annual Dinner last November, a lot of action has taken place. Ed Markowski and Frank Virgilio and others spearheaded the first HOFNOD bill. Now 17 years later, HOFNOD now has a bill sponsored that will expand the NJ state program to $450K, from $200K. HOFNOD bill (S3457 / A5113), is sponsored by Senator Steve Sweeney, Assemblymen John Burzichelli and Adam Taliaferro.
Ed Markowski, NJSFSC/NJOA and John Toth, JCAA testified on March 7th to expand the NJ HOFNOD program to $450 K and the bill was read by Senator Bob Smith.
Arnie Ulrich, HRFA stated, “When the bills get legs and starts to move, we will need to communicate our support of the bills and urge our folks in Trenton that they need to end up on the Governor’s desk to sign and put into effect.”
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 17-19, 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. HOFNOD is a great way to introduce youth to fishing, their local waters and other natural resources while supporting positive outdoor recreation and life skills. This workshop is for adult staff and volunteers of youth-centered organizations looking to offer a youth fishing program. The program is flexible enough to be tailored to fit most organizations. If you are interested in attending a NJ HOFNOD workshop, please phone or email Liz Jackson, NJ HOFNOD Coordinator at 908-637-4125 x122 or at liz.jackson@dep.state.nj.us. Registration is required and due by May 1, 2019.
Hooked On Fishing - Not On Drugs, Youth Fishing Challenge will be held on Saturday, June 8, 2019. The Hooked on Fishing - Not On Drugs Program's Youth Fishing Challenge is a statewide event to promote fishing among youths and their families. It is being held on the first of the state's two Free Fishing Days, Saturday, June 8, when no license is required to fish regardless of age. "Hook-A-Winner" Program will receive a special prize following the event. For more information and to register your group location visit: Youth Fishing Challenge.
Brick High Schools, NJ HOFNOD program continues to grow. They completed the following classes since starting NJ HOFNOD in both high schools during September 2018: Freshwater and Saltwater fishing trips (too many to mention), Brick Police Department Drug Awareness “Not Even Once” program, CPR First Aid, Safe Boating Course, NJ Motor Vehicle/Boating, Aquatic Conservation, Species Identification, Knot Tying, Water Safety, Fishing Ethics, Fish Biology, Fishing Equipment Maintenance, How to Tie Flies, NJ Rules and Regulations, Terminal Tackle, Baits and Rigs, Caring for your Catch, Casting Techniques, and Employment Opportunities. Tim Brennan, Health and Physical Education and his team of educators are doing a great job of connecting students to sport-fishing and away from drugs, alcohol, bullying, gangs, and violence. The school was recently featured in On the Water magazine. See more on their FB page: Brick High School Fishing.
The Shark River Surf Anglers are proud to announce the 2019 edition of the annual Trout Contest for Kids at Spring Lake, NJ. Complete details on their website.
The NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife and its partners is offering teens some exciting summer programs based at the Sedge Island Natural Resource Education Center, located off Island Beach State Park in Barnegat Bay. These unique, educational and fun programs include fishing, research and field experiences in a beautiful location. Sedge Island Fishing Experience June and August, 2019. For more information about any of these programs contact Karen Byrne at karen.byrne@dep.nj.gov or 609-748-4347.
The Palisades Interstate Park New Jersey and the Hudson River Fishermen’s Association invite you to experience the Hudson River at the 34th Annual Hooked on the Hudson event. Join them at Ross Dock on Saturday, May 4, 2019 9 am-3:00 pm. Our fishing contest is FREE. There is no entry fee. There are no registration forms. Just come down to the park, throw your line in the water and enjoy yourself. They will supply all equipment and bait free for your children to use!
We continue our tradition of combining a fishing contest with exhibits provided by leading environmental conservation and sportsmen’s organizations in our area. Food and Refreshments will be available. Fishing information and assistance will be available. Exhibits are from 9am-3pm. As in past years, we have invited leading environmental and conservation groups to join us.
Children Casting Contest is at 2pm-3pm with prizes at Awards Ceremony at 3pm.
For additional information contact Peter Musse at (201) 233-3119 or petemusse@gmail.com.
On Saturday, May 4, 2019, 9:00 am till 2:00 pm, Mr. Vito Cardinale, President Cardinale Enterprises LLC, will host the 2019, Third Annual Take A Veteran Fishing Day at Lake Julianna, Ponderosa Estates Farm, Millstone Township, NJ 08535.
"Play HOOK-e from PTSD" is the theme for disabled veterans that will attend the third annual FREE Play HOOK-e Take A Veteran Fishing Day. The goal of the fishing day at Lake Julianna is to provide a chance to go fishing for disabled PTSD veterans and to relax while enjoying the peaceful surroundings of Lake Julianna with other veterans.
Disabled veterans are invited to fish at this private lake to catch and release big fish and then join Mr. Vito Cardinale and his staff of volunteers that will provide soft drinks, pizza, hamburgers & hotdogs and other goodies for the free BBQ. As in the past, Mr. Cardinale and his team are proud to serve our veterans that have given so much for our county.
Veterans with mobility challenges will have the use of 4x4 transportation around the lake, along with fishing assistance if needed. Freshwater fishing license is not needed because this is a private lake. Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing Jersey Shore Chapter will assist with fly fishing instruction and their members are also welcome to join in and catch some big fish on a fly rod. Boating Education and Rescue with assist with their mobile education booth and equipment.
We have door prizes, loaner rods and reels, terminal tackle, bait, and other fishing equipment available to insure you have an enjoyable time.
The event is sponsored by Cardinale Enterprises LCC and supported by Vietnam Veterans of America Shore Area Chapter 12, Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Boating Education and Rescue and the Jersey Coast Anglers Association. To register and receive directions for this free event, please phone Greg at 732-785-9278 or email: gkucharews@jcaa.org.
The goal is to connect veterans to VA Service Offices/Outreach Centers, NJ Coastal Parks, Fishing Clubs, Veteran Organizations, and help Veteran men and women take time to heal by utilizing healthy outdoor activities, such as fishing. To register contact Mike & Debbie Bennett at 732-492-4009 or at bear@boatingeducationandrescue.org.
NB&FCC annual Kids Fishing Derby is held each year at Echo Lake Park in Mountainside, N. J. and is free for children 16 years of age and younger. Adults may enter for a nominal charge. The Derby runs for three weeks April 13 – May 4, 2019.
The registration booth is located at the gazebo on the lower lake and registrations will be accepted from 8:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. on the first Saturday of the derby only. Children that have registered will receive a gift bag at the derby location up until 2:00 P.M. on the first Saturday of the derby. Prizes for the derby will be awarded at the Newark Bait and Fly Casting Club's meeting. For additional information email NB&FCC at info@nbfcc.org.
The 2nd Annual Veteran Fishing Challenge will take place early July 2019. Mike and Debbie Bennett, Boating Education and Rescue are working on the details for this event. We will have registration information available soon.
