Please mention to your clubs that we would like to continue our efforts to increase funds for NJ HOFNOD. We are asking you write to your legislators. The importance of properly funding NJ HOFNOD is essential to provide needed funds to expand NJ HOFOD. The bill appropriates $450,000 to the Department of Environmental Protection to fund the cost of implementing the Hooked on Fishing-Not on Drugs Program. The money would be appropriated from the "Drug Enforcement and Demand Reduction Fund," a statutory account established to receive fines and penalties from convicted drug offenders that are used to support state-authorized drug and alcohol abuse abatement programs. The bill encourages the Legislature to appropriate sufficient funding annually from the "Drug Enforcement and Demand Reduction Fund" or any other appropriate source to maintain the operation of the program in future years.
If you would like to become a certified NJ HOFNOD instructor, please contact Liz Jackson, NJ DEP Division of Fish & Wildlife, Hooked on Fishing - Not on Drugs, 605 Pequest Road, Oxford, NJ 07683, 908-637-4125 x122 or visit the NJ HOFNOD website to view a group near you.
New Jersey's Opening Day of Trout Season this year is Saturday, April 9, and the Division of Fish and Wildlife will again be celebrating by hosting a special event at the Pequest Trout Hatchery in Oxford. The Division would be honored if Veterans and their families would join Division staff at the hatchery for a morning of camaraderie and fishing at the Pequest fishing education pond. The day will begin with check-in at the Education Pond starting at 7:30 a.m. followed by the kick-off of trout season at 8:00 a.m. Fishing will conclude at Noon.
Register and read the agenda here. Pre-registration is required and closes March 25 since there is a limit on the number of participants for the event. Email Jessica Griglak at jessica.griglak@dep.nj.gov for more information.
The 31st Annual Governor’s Surf Fishing Tournament (GSFT) will be held at Island Beach State Park on Sunday, May 15, 2022. Get ready to enter the largest surf fishing tournament along the Jersey Shore. Don’t miss a day of family fishing fun! View a brochure about the tournament here. Admission to the park is FREE for the tournament.
This is the time to start preparing your fish catching strategies so that you can catch a trophy fish that will win the 2022 Governor’s Surf Fishing Tournament and win PRIZES. If you catch the largest fish, your name will be inscribed on the Governor’s Cup, with previous winners and displayed at the IBSP for all to see. High school fishing clubs, along with other school-based fishing teams will have a chance to win the high school team competition trophy and it will be on display. This year, Yamaha Motors has joined us to setup an outdoor booth to support the tournament and provide promotional items for the high school fishing teams and disabled veterans.
If you are a novice angler and plan to fish the Governor’s Surf Fishing Tournament always prepare before the event and you will increase your chances of catching fish. Spend time looking over your equipment and making sure it is in workable condition. A week before the tournament visit a local tackle dealer and ask where fish are being caught and purchase items you might need. Tackle shops are usually extremely busy the day before and morning of the tournament. View online fishing reports to get an idea of what fish are biting on. Review NJ saltwater rules and regulations or pick up a copy at the tackle shop to know size limits.
The following equipment checklist will get you started: Check rods for loose guides, be sure the reel seat tightens properly on the reel, check for cracks in rod by guide feet, look for grooves and cracks in ceramic guides and tip top guide. Reels- lubrication, is the roller guide clean and working smoothly, inspect the drag system, bail springs, check all movable parts, handle, and if needed replace and discard line properly.
Suggested list of what you might need to fish if you walk to your location on the beach. Surf bag with prepared assorted baits & soft cooler pack, terminal tackle for targeted fish - sinkers, hooks, snaps/swivels, etc.., Lure assortment, casting metal/jigs - small variety of swimming, diving, surface poppers that mimic local bait. Other gear - pliers w/line cutter, knife, measuring tape to record catch and release, dry bag for camera/phone, waders/boots, foul weather gear, extra small first aid kit, water, sunscreen, sunglasses, cap, sand spikes, stringer/plastic bag, and a towel. Packing your fishing equipment in advance will allow you to carry everything compactly. If you must walk to another fishing location, it is especially important to pack your fishing gear, so you can move easily through the sand.
We would like to remind our physically challenged anglers that there is an area at OBA 1 with beach wheelchairs available. Anglers that are not able to walk in the sand can now get to the water and try surf fishing. 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 2022 4x4 VIP vehicle to transport anglers that will be fishing the reserved area in front of OBA 1. Members of the Vietnam Veterans of America (Chapter 12) and volunteer anglers from various fishing clubs will also aid 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.
High school fishing teams are gearing up for the Governor’s Surf Fishing Tournament; five students per team plus a high school representative must go with each high school team. The Governor’s Surf Fishing Tournament Committee is encouraging high school fishing clubs, along with other school-based fishing teams to get ready for the Annual Governor’s Cup School team competition. If you know a school team that would like to register for this event, please email Karen Byrne at: karen.byrne@dep.nj.gov. To register your High School Team follow instructions at this link.
Please visit the JCAA Website for updates and don’t forget to register for the Free NJ Saltwater Recreational Registry Program.
Do not wait until the fish are biting to have rod and reel repairs done. February and March are the perfect months to get your equipment ready for fishing. Shop local and visit our tackle dealers list for veteran discounts.
