Youth Education Report

It’s show season. Look for our JCAA booth at hunting and fishing expos. Stop by the JCAA booth and 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. Join from this link or download form here.

New this year! The Governor’s Surf Tournament Committee will hold a virtual meeting for High School Teams to discuss rules and answer any questions. The virtual meeting is tentatively scheduled for May 12, 2025, time to be determined. This meeting is MANDATORY for advisors to attend.

The Jersey Coast Anglers Youth Education Committee is encouraging high school students to participate in the Island Beach State Park 34th 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 free with the NJ Saltwater Recreational Registry Program.

Visit the NJ Hooked on Fishing not on Drugs website to view instructor training opportunities, NJ county leader groups, and youth fishing opportunities. (Scroll down to see youth fishing photos.)

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. Remember admission to the park is FREE for the tournament. This year the Governor’s Surf Fishing tournament is scheduled for Sunday, May 18, 2025. Veterans that register must check the veteran box to win the veterans category. The veteran who wins will be asked to prove their veteran status by showing a government issued ID or copy of DD 214. For, early registration, click here. Early registration will end April 19, 2025.

Veterans wishing to learn about fishing can contact our 2025 veteran Play HOOK-e fishing instructors. We are passing the information along to our Play HOOK-e instructors. If you would like to learn more about our fishing programs, please contact Karen Noe at (732) 245-2751. Pictured below are some of our Play HOOK-e instructors.