Ocean City Fishing Club (OCFC) hopes to lure more young anglers to its 54th Annual Surf Fishing Tournament, scheduled for October 21.
While Ed Parkinson, OCFC member who runs the tournament, expects15 fishing clubs to field teams in the Association of Surf Angling Clubs event, he wants to encourage teenagers to enter as individuals to fish in the Youth, and Youth With Adult Assistance categories.
Parkinson said there will be OCFC judges assigned to the young anglers for advice, help and instruction, if needed. “It’s about developing the next generation of surf fishing enthusiasts in a hands-on, educational but competitive environment,” Parkinson said, adding “The youth are welcome to fish in the two scheduled sessions, and we will accommodate those who just fish in the second session. We will provide a fishing area for those who are walking onto the beach.”
In addition to prizes and guidance, the teenagers will be exempt from paying an entry fee. They also will be offered free lunch when the tournament ends. Entry fees for adult, six-member teams will be $70, while adult individuals will pay $15 each. The city administration is providing one-day free beach access for four-wheel-drive vehicles used by tournament participants.
Advance registration for adults and young anglers may be made online using the OCFC website oceancityfishingclub.com Registration fees should be made payable to Ocean City Fishing Club and mailed to OCFC Tournament Chair, P.O. Box 1215, Ocean City NJ 08226.
Entrants may register on tournament day from 5:30 a.m. to 7 a.m. at the Ocean City Intermediate School at 1801 Bay Avenue. The first fishing session will run from 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., with a half-hour to relocate to the next fishing area, where the second session starts at 10 a.m. and concludes at 12:30 p.m. After the tournament fish has ended, a free lunch will be offered at the Intermediate School.
Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams, as well as to individual winners. In addition, there will be raffles for additional prizes, and a Calcutta for most points and largest scoring fish. For more information, contact Parkinson at eparkinson718.com or 215-680-6652.
