New Jersey’s annual Governor’s Surf Fishing Tournament will be held on Sunday, May 18 at Island Beach State Park. Same-day registration opens 5 a.m. at Pavilion #1, with cost of entry just $20 for ages 8 and up, $5 for kids 13-17, and free for ages 12 and under. The actual tournament runs from 6:30 a.m. until 1 p.m., which is followed by a raffle drawing from 1:30 until 2 p.m. and the awards ceremony beginning at 2:30.
Eligible species for this event include black drum, red drum, bluefish, kingfish, striped bass, fluke and weakfish. The individual who catches the overall largest tournament-eligible legal-sized fish wins the “Governor’s Award” and will have their name engraved on the Governor’s Cup, which is permanently displayed at Island Beach State Park. Prizes are awarded to winners in a variety of age group and fish species categories, with tackle awards courtesy of Tsunami/Folsom.
There’s also a High School Team Category for high school aged students, who are part of a formal fishing club, members of a Hooked on Fishing-Not on Drugs group, or a non-formal group. The tournament entry fee is waived for student teams, and admission to the park is free for registrants.
All funds raised by the tournament go toward improving beach access, surf fishing instruction programs and equipment plus marine education and restoration projects. The tournament is sponsored by the New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife and State Park Service, New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, Jersey Coast Anglers Association, and New Jersey Beach Buggy Association.
For more information call 609-947-1201 or visit njfishandwildlife.com.
