To continually keep up with the times – including technology and the best possible bite at the Jersey Shore – the Long Beach Island Surf Fishing Classic (LBI Classic) has officially kicked of its 72nd season of surfcasting with some much-requested updates.
First of all, for those interested in registering for the LBI Classic online, you can now register at www.lbisfc.com/online-sign-up. Once you’ve paid the online registration fee, while supplies last, registered anglers may pick up complimentary tournament items including tournament hat and decal at a participating tackle shop. Bring your registration confirmation number to Surf City Bait and Tackle, Fisherman’s Headquarters or Jingles Bait and Tackle to receive your official numbered badge, along with tournament hat and sticker. Reserved numbers must be picked up at Surf City Bait & Tackle.
This year’s LBI Classic runs from August 29 through November 29, with the earlier tournament kick off providing surfcasters additional tournament options including summer flounder along the open beaches and tautog along the jetty. Other species included in the 13-week surfcasters only tournament on LBI include striped bass, bluefish, kingfish, redfish, and weakfish.
Once again in 2026, Tsunami Tackle is sponsoring a weekly photo contents open to all participants. Just following along with the LBI Surf Fishing Classic’s Facebook page, then capture amazing moments while fishing; it could be a fish catch, a jumbo striped bass release, sunrise along the beach or another angler enjoying their time in the suds, and one weekly winner will be chose to receive Tsunami surf fishing rods.
For those looking to catch the largest striped bass of the LBI Classic – even it’s a 35-inch over-slot fish that must be released – a special Surf Master “Catch & Release” award will be presented to one winner scoring the largest overall (length) striped bass. The winner gets bragging rights as the 2026 “Surf Master” while also receiving a full-sized replica mount of winning striped bass by Rinehart Taxidermy valued at over $700 (does not include shipping).
Enter now while you’re reading this, or head down LBI and visit one of the three tackle shops which are registration stations and weigh-in locations for the next 13 weeks. You can enter the LBI Classic at any point from now until November 29, as prizes are awarded daily, weekly and across the entire 72nd tournament season. Follow the leaderboard and get more information at lbisfc.com.
