Small Fish Yield Big Prizes in 44th Annual Surf Fishing Tournament

Ocean City’s 44th Invitational Surf Fishing Tournament on Saturday (Sept. 17) included 171 men, women and youngsters, but they couldn’t find any big ones out there. Small bluefish, kingfish and omnipresent sharks dominated the catches.

In the women’s division, Sharon Otto, of Southampton, NJ, took home a trophy after reeling in a 13.25-inch blue. She was fishing with the Women’s Surf Angling Club. Her counterpart was Ralph DiLucca, of Philadelphia, who won with a 15.25-inch bluefish. He was a member of a team from the New Jersey Beach Buggy Association.

DiLucca’s catch also earned him the second annual Tom Hayes Memorial Trophy for the largest fish. The award is named for a former president of the Ocean City Fishing Club.

The six-member team that placed first in the tournament, based on the total number of points they received for the fish caught, was Surf N Land’s “B” group, with a score of 181. Surf N Land is based in Browns Mills, NJ.

Among the other top winners were Lynda Greaves, Upper Township, most points for a woman, and Gary Born, Brigantine, most points in the men’s division. Greaves fishes with the New Jersey Beach Buggy Association and Born is a member of the Surf N Land “B” team.

Winning an award for the most points scored by an individual was J.C. Hinkle, of Philadelphia.

In the youth category, Josh Biondi, 14, of Brigantine, won a trophy and a fishing rod for the most points after catching three blues and four sharks. 

Sponsored by the Ocean City Fishing Club and the city’s Department of Recreation, the tournament is under the aegis of the Association of Surf Angling Clubs (ASAC).

Fishing took place along the beach between 34^th street and 50^th street.

Chairing this year’s tournament was Mike Hayes, a trustee of the Ocean City Fishing Club.