Youth Education Report

The 33rd Annual Governor’s Surf Fishing Tournament (GSFT) will be held at Island Beach State Park on Sunday, May 19, 2024. Get ready to enter the largest surf fishing tournament along the Jersey Shore. Don’t miss a day of family fishing fun! Pick up a brochure about the tournament at Island Beach State Park or at your favorite tackle dealer. Admission to the park is FREE for the tournament. Win prizes. Register here.

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. Celebrity Ford Toms River, NJ will assist physically challenged anglers with a NEW 2024 4x4 VIP vehicle to transport anglers that will fish 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 Kevin Nolan, American Warrior Outdoors at 732-504-5492.

The State of New Jersey 33rd Annual Surf Fishing Tournament at IBSP is looking for volunteer judges to ride the beach during the tournament and verify the length of fish caught by contestants.

Volunteers that would like to be a part of the tournament and measure fish will receive a 2024 Judges hat and compensation for fuel on the beach. We already have some Play HOOK-e from PTSD veteran volunteers signed up to judge.

For details, please contact Ken Hollins, Judge Chairman to become a volunteer judge, email to rugburnsbleed55@optimum.net or phone Gary Conk @ 1-609-556-9241.

Please do not register if you are not able to make the entire training. April 26-28, 2024, Lighthouse Center for Natural Resource Education, 7th St. and Navajo Dr., Waretown, NJ 08758. Arrive Friday, April 26, by 6:30 p.m.; depart Sunday, April 28, around 4:00 p.m. To participate in Team Leader Training, please complete and submit the questionnaire.

NJDEP Fish & Wildlife partners with schools, community, and faith-based organizations to establish youth fishing teams. Teams are led by an adult(s) who dedicate their time, skills, and energy to implement the program. This training is to prepare YOU to LEAD a group of youth in the program from beginning to end.

The training is intended for adults interested in leading and/or assisting with a youth fishing team as part of the Hooked on Fishing Program. There is a $65 non-refundable fee that covers training materials, meals and overnight accommodation.

To register for the training, complete the form at this link. Then make your check or money order payable to “CWF of NJ” and mail to: NJ Fish & Wildlife, 605 Pequest Road, Oxford NJ 07863, Attn: HOFNOD. Your registration is complete upon receipt of your registration fee. An email will be sent to you confirming your participation along with supplemental information to support making the most of your experience. For questions about the training, please send an email to hofnod@dep.nj.gov. Deadline to register is April 12, 2024. You can also visit this page for more info.

There is a $60 non-refundable fee which covers meals, lodging, materials/supplies, and helps offset training costs. Please do not register if you cannot commit to the entire weekend.

To register, please complete the registration form which provides instructions on how to submit the required fee. Visit the NJ HOFNOD website to view a group near you.

Learn about how you can help protect recreational fishing. Become a member volunteer or an associate member to support the voice of recreational anglers. Is recreational marine fishing getting better or worse? Let us know so we can do something about making saltwater fishing better for the future of fishing. Become a JCAA associate member today. Click this link to register.

The Jersey Coast Anglers Youth Education Committee is encouraging high school students to participate at the Island Beach State Park 33rd Annual Surf Fishing Tournament. High school teams are already gearing up for the tournament. Five students per team plus a high school representative must accompany each high school team. If you know a school team that would like to register for this event, please email Karen Byrne at: karen.byrne@dep.nj.gov.

Please visit the JCAA Website for updates and don’t forget to register for the Free NJ Saltwater Recreational Registry Program.

Newark Bait and Fly-Casting Club Kid's Fishing Night had Liz Jackson from NJ “Hooked On Fishing Not On Drugs” as their guest speaker for the night. Visit their website to view details. Later this spring, NBFCC will host their annual veteran fishing trip on the Big Mohawk out of Belmar on June 10th.

Saturday, April 27, 2024, FREE Fishing Contest from 9:00am to 3:00 pm. The HRFA will supply all equipment and bait free for your children to use! Fishing information and assistance will be available. Prizes awarded. Find more information and details at this link.

Fins For Freedom will take place on May 18, 2024. Fishing and the day's events will be held at Atlantic Highlands Municipal Marina, 2 Simon Lake Drive Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07716. For more information visit their website.

NJ Fish and Wildlife presents its ninth annual Get Hooked On Fishing, Not On Drugs Youth Fishing Challenge on the weekend of June 1st-2nd. The free event is held and multiple locations throughout New Jersey and each may have their own start and end times. For list of host sites and other information, monitor this page at NJ DEP.