Brand New Bikes for Best Young Wranglers in Ocean City Fishing Tournament This Weekend

Ocean City, NJ -- Boys and girls between the ages of 8 and 16 years old have the chance to win a new bike in Ocean City this weekend.

The boy and girl who reel in the largest fish at the Ocean City Fishing Club’s 41st annual surf fishing tournament on Saturday, Aug. 13, will each receive a brand new bicycle, the club said on Monday.

“We’ll also have other prizes and gift certificates donated by our generous Ocean City merchants and businesses,” Event Chairman Ralph Miller said.

The tournament will take place at the North End Beach near the Ocean City-Longport Bridge. Registration is from 9 to 10 a.m. at the parking lot adjacent to the bridge toll booth. The tournament runs from 10 a.m. to noon.

Prizes will be awarded for the largest fish and the most fish in three age categories: 8 to 10 years; 11 to 13 years; and 14 to 16 years.

Boys and girls must bring their own bait and tackle, but they can pick their fishing spots within a designated area along the beach.

Club members will measure and record the catches. Any fish that is under the state’s minimum length must be returned to the ocean.

The rain date is Saturday, Aug. 20.

The free tournament is co-sponsoded by Ocean City’s Department of Recreation.

Last year the young anglers caught 59 fish, including kingfish, bluefish, flounder, and sea bass.

In addition to this tournament, the club also co-sponsors the annual Ocean City Invitational Surf Fishing Tournament for adult teams and individuals. That tournament is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 22.

Founded in 1913, the Ocean City Fishing Club is the oldest continuously operating fishing club in the nation. Its current president is Augie Conte, Jr., of Ocean City and Cherry Hill.

For more information, call 609-398-0534.

The attached image was provided by the Ocean City Fishing Club: A small sea bass dangles from the line of this youngster who competed in last year’s Boys and Girls Surf Fishing Tournament, a popular event co-sponsored annually by the Ocean City Fishing Club and the city’s Department of Recreation.