Anglers Lured To Upcoming Ocean City Fishing Club Tournament

OCEAN CITY, NJ — The Ocean City Fishing Club is hoping to lure young anglers to its 54th Annual Surf Fishing Tournament set for Oct. 21.

Ed Parkinson, OCFC member who runs the tournament, expects 16 to 20 fishing clubs to field teams in the Association of Surf Angling Clubs event, and he wants to encourage teenagers to enter the Youth, and Youth With Adult Assistance categories. More than 100 participants are expected.

Parkinson said there will be OCFC judges assigned to the young anglers for advice, help and instruction, if needed. In addition, the youth will be given access to one fishing station so they won’t have to change locations on the beach. That also applies to adult walk-ons who don’t have vehicles to drive on the beach.

“It’s about developing the next generation of surf fishing enthusiasts in a hands-on, educational but competitive environment,” he said. “The youth are welcome to fish in the two scheduled sessions, and we will accommodate those who just fish in the second session. Walk-ons of any age are welcome to fish in the tournament, too.”

Not only can teenagers fish for free, they will get prizes, guidance and a 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. The tournament will cover the beach from 23rd Street to 34th Street.

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, 1801 Bay Ave. 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 station, where the second session starts at 10 a.m. and concludes at 12:30 p.m. Afterwards, a free lunch will be offered at the Intermediate School.

“We have door prizes with a total value of about $3,000,” Parkinson said. “We especially appreciate and thank all the organizations, businesses and individuals that support and make this tournament great.”

Some door prizes include two $100 certificates for dinner at The Crab Trap in Somers Point, an overnight stay at the Philadelphia Marriott Hotel, and a Century fishing rod valued at $800 from Mike Kuklic of Advanced Fishing-USA.

Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams, as well as to individual winners. In addition, there will be a Calcutta for most points and largest scoring fish. For more information, contact Parkinson at eparkinson718.com or 215-680-6652.