Youth Education Report

New Jersey Beach Buggy Association will host the 28th Annual surf fishing contest for children on Saturday, September 16th at Island Beach State Park (IBSP). The FREE EVENT is for youngsters 16 yrs. old and younger. Registration starts at 7:30 am at the first swimming area, “OBA-1”. The kids will receive an event t-shirt and a grab bag full of goodies after attending 5 Learning stations. Prizes will not be given out before the awards ceremony. Fishing starts at 10 am, any fish caught could be a winner. When the 3-hour fishing period ends, everyone returns to OBA-1 for a FREE lunch.

During lunch period the winning fish entered are calculated by the committee. At 2:30 pm, the Awards Ceremony starts. All winners receive a Rod/Reel Combo, a $25 Gift Card, and a trophy. Then the FREE PRIZE GIVEAWAY starts. Each registered child will have a chance to pick the prize of their choice from the 130 prizes available to them. This Giveaway will take an hour or so to complete.

Thank you, Ken Hollins #23 Director, and Chairperson. If you would like to learn more, please, contact Ken at: njbbawebmaster@gmail.com.

Mr. Vito Cardinale and Randy Johnson, along with their family and friends hosted the 7th Annual “Play HOOK-e” Veterans, Children with Disabilities and Active-Duty Military Fishing Day on August 26, 2023. All participants enjoyed a fun day at Ponderosa Estates Farm, Millstone, NJ to catch and release fish at Lake Julianna.

Don Marantz, Event Chairperson, stated we had over 500 attendees to enjoy the festivities at Lake Julianna. As children and veterans arrived at the event, they were greeted by the Play HOOK-e welcome team volunteers that provided instructions for the day, welcome bags, loaner rods/reels, toys for children, and Kids Wish’n to go Fish’n (KWTGF) youth tee shirts.

Corporal Philip A. Reynolds Detachment Marine Corps League, Freehold, NJ provided a Color Guard and John Rinhart started the afternoon ceremonies. The Vietnam Veterans of America Shore Area Chapter 12 presented our hosts Vito Cardinale and Randy Johnson Eagle Brotherhood of the Year Award’s for their continued support to our Veterans and the disabled community. During the award presentation we were surprised by a special honor fly-over by the NJSP Helo Team to salute our military heroes. New Jersey State Police also provided K-9 demonstrations, and a display of their EOD vehicle. Don Marantz event chairperson receive a surprise custom rod and reel award for his lifelong dedication to helping disabled children learn the joys of fishing. The fishing rod was donated and designed by Roy H. custom rod crafter who incorporated the Vietnam Service Ribbon on the fishing rod.

More than 50 volunteers were available to assist children and veterans that came to fish. Veterans attending the event also helped youngsters cast a line. Participants had the use of loaner fishing rods and reels, rigs, and Spring Lake Freezer Bait Company made sure there were plenty of worms for catching fish. “NJ Hooked on Fishing Not on Drugs” Karen Byrne NJ Fish and Wildlife setup all the loaner rods and reels with member volunteers and prepared bait cups. Helping Hands of Jackson provided food, Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Heroes on the Water, Jersey Shore Surfcasters, Newark Bait and Fly-Casting Club, New Jersey Beach Buggy Association, Hudson River Fishermen’s Association, Berkeley Striper Club, NJ State Federation of Sportsmen Clubs, Trout Unlimited, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 12 all helped children and disabled veterans’ fish.

Mr. Cardinale served food to everyone in attendance at the BBQ area, Red Express Pizza, and Helping Hands of Jackson provided breakfast sandwiches for our volunteers. We thank our gracious hosts and all the volunteers that assisted in making the 7th Annual Play HOOK-e KWTGF and Take a Veteran Fishing Day a remarkable success.

Many organizations/businesses contributed and came out to volunteer their time, NJ DEP Fish and Wildlife, New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen Clubs, Pro Tapes C.O.R.E., Big Brother Big Sister, NJ State Police, Hamilton Station, Millstone Fire/First Aid Department, Boy Scouts, Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, The Fisherman Magazine , Bogan's Brielle Bait & Tackle, Gabriel CO., Jersey Hooker Outfitters, Betty & Nicks B&T, The Tin Man Lures, Grumpy’s B&T, Reel Seat B&T, Pell’s Sport and Fish, Central Jersey Rifle and Pistol Club Warrior Program, MA 22 Operation Hook It, Recalibrate, Jersey Shore Surfcasters, Trout Unlimited, Ducks Unlimited, Jersey Shore Counsil of Boy Scouts, Shore Surf Club, Newark Bait and Fly Casting Club, Hudson River Fisherman's Association, New Jersey Beach Buggy Association, and several other volunteers/veterans organizations.

Contributors: Cardinale Enterprises LLC. family and friends, Randy Johnson Laurita Winery, P & W Services, Tsunami Fishing Tackle , Dunkin Donuts, American Warrior Outdoors, Millstone Elks Lodge 2613, Military Support Alliance of NJ, Helping Hands of Jackson, Associated of Builders and Contractors of NJ, East Gate Nursery, Bill- Jim Construction Co., SFC Enterprises, Immediate Care, Top shelf nursery, , My 3 Sons HVAC, Circle Chevrolet, Pizza Express Wood Fire Pizza/Blackie’s Welding Service, , First Commerce Bank, Phinas Farms, Magnakron, Rosetto realty, PDS Engineering, Joint Base McGuire 514th Air Mobility Wing, Tom Zapcic Photography, MA22 Operation Hook It, DR Horton builders, Phil's Tree Service, Red Wagon Farm Stand, Spring Lake Freezer, Howling Woods Farm, Teddy Bears By the Seashore, Ocean Explorer, Belmar Princess, Fisherman’s Den, Suggs Nicholas Shea Inc, Jersey Coast Anglers Association, Marine Corps League, Vietnam Veterans of America Shore Area Chapter 12. Donations were also received from individuals, and we graciously thank all that contributed. We regret there are too many contributors to mention in this article.

The JCAA Youth Education Committee is accepting nominations for the 2023 Youth Education Award. There are many NJ HOFNOD volunteers doing magnificent 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. Please view the JCAA website for the next general membership meeting.

NJ’s second Free Freshwater Fishing Day will be Saturday, October 21, 2023, when no license is required to fish regardless of age.

This fall, think about becoming a HOFNOD instructor. New Jersey HOFNOD facilitator workshops are hosted by the DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife. It is well worth the time to learn creative aquatic activities to teach youngsters the importance of becoming environmental stewards. This workshop is a great learning experience. If you are interested in attending a NJ HOFNOD workshop, please contact Liz Jackson, NJ HOFNOD Coordinator: (908) 637-4125 x122 or at liz.jackson@dep.state.nj.us.

Most tackle dealers offer discounts to veterans. We also informed veterans about our JCAA newspaper and Play HOOK-e by-monthly newsletter. During September and October, we are offering veterans with PTSD/TBI an opportunity to relax for a few hours by the water and visit natural calming areas. If you would like to experience saltwater and freshwater fishing, we have a short one-to-one fishing program to get you outdoors to fish and boat. Connect with nature at Lake Julianna, Island Beach State Park, and other open blue spaces. To schedule a day and time, please email Greg @ gkucharews@jcaa.org.