Brick High School Mustangs and Dragons grades 11–12 will begin the second year of classes with NJ HOFNOD in the curriculum. Tim Brennan, Health & Physical Education Teacher and NJ HOFNOD certified instructor, will work with other teachers and introduce students to NJ HOFNOD, safe boating, CPR, science, environmental stewardship and fishing skills.
The JCAA Youth Education Committee will support the high school groups by supplying books, presentations, terminal tackle, and materials from the JCAA lending library.
The JCAA Youth Education Committee is accepting nominations for the 2019 Youth Education Award. There are many NJ HOFNOD volunteers doing great work to bring successes to the fishing community but sometimes individuals and sport-fishing organizations go above and beyond to make the future of fishing better for our youngsters.
Youth Education Award Criteria: Promoting “Hooked On Fishing Not On Drugs (HOFNOD),” Certified HOFNOD instructors, number of fishing or aquatic education events, JCAA lending library usage, and creativity for promoting youth fishing events. Submit your nominations in writing and email to gkucharews@jcaa.org or bring your nomination to the next JCAA general membership meeting.
I spoke to Thomas Polino, Sergeant Major US Army Retired and who is also a member of NJBBA that informed me the Central Jersey Code Official Association along with the International Code Council will host an event on September 12, 2019.
This will tie in with the NJ “Hooked on Fishing not on Drugs” program to bring awareness about the Opioids Epidemic in this country. Camden County is co-hosting the event and they are asking for donations such as fishing rods/reels, life vests, tackle and two Kayaks for the program. The event will take place on the USS Battleship New Jersey in Camden, New Jersey and children attending will be allowed to fish off the battleship that night.
They are also asking for monetary donations to help support the USS Battleship New Jersey stay afloat. Any Monetary donations can be sent to CJCOA, PO Box 892, West Windsor, NJ 08550. Any other items may be sent to, Thomas Polino, 405 Greenwood Ave, Riverside NJ, 08075. Please Contact: Thomas at thomas.polino@yahoo.com or mobile# 856-906-7167. Any type of donations would be appreciated. John White, US Navy Veteran and promoter stated, “Let’s keep our kids off the streets and involved in programs like this one.”
Hey kids, it’s time to get ready for the New Jersey Beach Buggy Association’s Twenty-sixth Annual Surf Youth Fishing Tournament. It will be held on Saturday, September 14, 2019. NJBBA members do a great job of making children and their families have a fun day fishing the surf at Island Beach State Park. There is always lots of prizes, goodie bags, learning stations, and plenty of how-to information booths about surf fishing and water safety. The tournament is FREE to youngsters under 16 years old. For Information about the event contact Chairman Ken Hollins at turkey.trot2@optimum.net or visit the NJBBA website.
The Newark Bait and Fly Casting Club will host its People with Disabilities Outing on Saturday, September 21, 2019; rain date Sunday, September 22, 2019.
Volunteers are needed to help set up at 7:00 A.M. and to be available throughout the day to help with fishing, serving lunch, etc. and breaking down at the end of the day. The event starts at 10:00 A.M. but some participants start arriving about 9:00 A.M. and extra hands are always needed to help.
Participants need to register at online at this link or call: Manuel Ramirez at 908-527-4781.
The 3nd Annual “Kids Wish’n to go Fish’n” For Special Needs Children will be held at Ponderosa Estates Farms Lake Julianna, Millstone Township, NJ. We already have our “Play HOOK-e” veterans and member clubs of JCAA registered to come out again and help the special needs youngster’s fish.
The event is scheduled for Saturday, September 28, 2019 from 10:00 am till 2:00 pm. Special needs children ages 6 to 16 years old are invited to catch and release fish at Lake Julianna. Mr. Cardinale and his team are providing plenty of fun surprises for special needs children. The event will include a hot dog and hamburger barbeque/pizza lunch for children and their guests, complements of Cardinale Enterprises, LLC, friends and family.
Local merchants and contributors are providing prizes, goodie bags and tee shirts for girls and boys fishing Lake Julianna’s “Kids Wish’n to go Fish’n.” All children go home winners. If you would like to contribute to this worthwhile event for special needs children, please contact Don Marantz, JCAA Youth Education Committee at 908-347-1434.
Children and their families had a great time at the Bunker Challenge Crabbing Contest during July at the Mantoloking Bridge, Ocean County Park, Brick, NJ. There were plenty of crabbing prizes for everyone to win. Aiden Luciw traveled from PA to win his prize for catching a crab over 6 inches. I spent most of the morning with our Play HOOK-e friends Mike and Debbie Bennett, B.E.A.R., assisting novice crabbers.
Twenty-four Veterans and family members attended a Museum tour and crabbing workshop hosted by the Vietnam Veterans of America (Chapter 12), JCAA, and Sea Girt Army National Guard Training Center Militia Museum. The goal is to connect veterans to the outdoors and help veteran men and women take time to heal by utilizing healthy outdoor activities, such as fishing, boating and crabbing. Topics included: Museum Tour, New Style Crab Traps, Access Locations, Crabbing, and NJ Rules and Regulations.
The program began with a presentation of Two Quilts of Valor that Ann Carreiro of Rebecas's Reel Quilters presented to Donald Davison, and John Bello, both retired US Army Veterans. They each received a Quilt of Valor in honor of their military service.
During our Crabbing at the Jersey Shore Workshop we explained NJ Marine Rules and Regulations, size limits and the anatomy of a Blue Claw Crab. A variety of crab traps were on display that included new crab traps on the market such as Henry’s Cast a Crab and CrabHawk. Both are spring operated and they open on impact.
We demonstrated how to cast a crab line without tangles and how to make night crabbing rigs using glow sticks in clear plastic bottles. Crab bait and proper disposal was recommended to keep our waterways clean. Youngsters and veterans received a crab hand-line for the crabbing session afterwards. We also had many door prizes thanks to VVA 12’s “Play HOOK-e” magnet campaign that local tackle dealers support. Catherine K shared three of her delicious recipes for crab dinners. Our door prize winners won fishing trips on the Norma K III and items that were purchased at Gabriel’s Tackle Co., The Reel Seat, Brielle Bait and Tackle, Gates Bait and Tackle, Castaways Bait & Tackle, Jersey Hooker Outfitters, and Pell’s Fish & Sport. We also thank Chief Guy Remig, Director, National Guard Militia Museum and Sgt. Andrew Walker, Curator for providing a venue for our program. For information about Veteran Oral Histories, please contact Carol Fowler, Assistant Curator, 732-974-5966.
The NJDEP's 10th annual NJ WILD Outdoor Expo will be held Saturday and Sunday, September 7-8, at the Colliers Mills Wildlife Management Area in Jackson Township, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day rain or shine. Admission and parking are free. For more information, visit this link. This fun-filled family event is designed for visitors to try new ways to appreciate and enjoy New Jersey's great outdoors. Participants have an opportunity to try a broad spectrum of outdoor activities.
