The 35th Annual Governor’s Cup was held on May 17 at Island Beach State Park. Acting commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) was on-site to congratulate tournament winners and assist with the awards ceremony, personally presenting Ronald Newby of Toms River with the 2026 Governor’s Cup award for his 31-6/8-inch bluefish. Newby received an Airwave Surf Rod and Shield II reel donated by Tsunami and will receive a plaque, with his name being engraved on the Governor’s Cup to be permanently on display at Island Beach State Park.
Ten schools competed in the High School Team category with five entering fish into the tournament. It was Manasquan High School in Monmouth County with a 31-inch striped bass taking first place. Manasquan High School will receive a first-place plaque and have their name engraved on the High School Team Trophy, which is on display at Island Beach State Park. Second and third place will receive plaques with the next biggest entries.
Larson Ford generously provided transportation to the beach for disabled veteran anglers fishing in the tournament. This was the third year including a Military Veteran’s Category for the veteran who landed the overall largest, eligible and legal sized fish. Jose Lopez of Camden won this category with a 28 6/8” striped bass and received a Sandstorm rod donated by Grumpys Tackle and a Penn Battle IV reel donated by Hook House Bait & Tackle.
The event was sponsored by the NJDEP’s Fish & Wildlife and State Park Service, Jersey Coast Anglers Association, NJ Beach Buggy Association and New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs. More than $150,000 has been raised since the inception of the tournament for conservation and education projects and improved beach access.
In addition to the grand prize, a dozen anglers received rod and reel combinations for their prize-winning fish in the summer flounder, black drum, bluefish, and striped bass categories. Categories are further broken down for children, teen, and adult anglers, including subcategories for male and female anglers.
High School Team Category
First: Manasquan High School (30-4/8” striped bass at 9a.m.)
Second: Seton Hall Preparatory School (30-4/8” striped bass at 9:15 a.m.)
Third: Emerson High School (29-2/8” striped bass)
Military Veteran’s
First: Jose Lopez, Camden (28-6/8” striped bass)
Black Drum
First: Stanley Passaretta, Waretown (25 4/8”)
Summer Flounder
First: Tyler Bender, Easton, PA (17 1/8”)
Striped Bass – Teen (Male)
First: James Mauti, Toms River (31”)
Second: Cayden Sellitto, Little Falls (30 5/8”)
Third: Avery Kerber, Manasquan HS (30 4/8”)
Striped Bass – Adult (Female)
First: Dawn Sweeney, Andover (30 7/8”)
Second: Margaret Crossley, Mt. Laurel (30 2/8”)
Third: Rose Daddino, Toms River (30”)
Striped Bass – Adult (Male)
First: Jacob Harvey, Millville (31” at 8:30 a.m.)
Second: Michael DiGiovanni, Freehold (31” at 10:20 a.m.)
Third: Jack Henley, Flemington (30 7/8”)
Bluefish – Adult (Male)
First: Ronald Newby, Toms River (31-6/8” Governor’s Cup winner)
Second: Patrick Halpin, Newton (31-2/8”)
