Enthusiasm Up Despite Early End To Ocean City Fishing Tournament

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Thunder and lightning brought an early end to the Ocean City Fishing Club’s 43rd annual Boys and Girls Surf Fishing Tournament, but it didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the 84 participants in Saturday’s event on the beach near the Ocean City-Longport Bridge.

Danielle Audet, 10, of Lumberton, and Justin Lowery, 11, of Woodstown, came in first in the girls and boys divisions, respectively. Both landed summer flounder, with Audet’s measuring 16.25 inches, while Lowery’s was 15.5 inches. For catching the largest fish in their divisions, they were rewarded with brand new Huffy bikes, trophies and ribbons.

“It was very exciting to catch such a big fish,” Audet beamed. “I felt it was there on my line and then I thought I might lose it!”

The Miller family has donated bikes each of the last two years in memory of Ralph Miller, who was chairman of the tournament, and his wife, Marion.

“We’re probably going to continue giving the bikes for another five years,” Miller family representative Susan Terrey said.

Lowery took the top hook in the 11-13 age group, followed by Finn Seeger and Jack Reiscke. All the boys and girls who fished in the tournament received prizes, ranging from backpacks and magnets to various gift and food certificates. The first, second and third place winners who caught the most fish in each age category took home a rod and reel, along with place ribbons.

First, second and third place winners in the 8-10 age group were Luke Whitworth, Kyle Markley, and Julia Roman. Whitworth and Roman also were overall winners of the most fish caught by a boy and a girl, with Whitworth landing eight bluefish and Roman catching two fluke.

With just two winners in the 14-16 age category, Adam Madkour came in first followed by Andrew Mattia. After he landed a six-inch kingfish, Mattia, 14, of Furlong, PA, said he’s participated in the tournament a couple times and credited his grandfather with teaching him to fish in saltwater.

In all, the youngsters landed 32 fish, many of which were small bluefish, some fluke, and a smattering of other species, including sea robin. Her third year in the tournament, Courtney Stimson, 13, of Monroeville, reeled in the first fish caught, a 9.25-inch kingfish.

“I didn’t think I had anything on my line at first, but I just kept reeling in and there it was,” Stimson said excitedly.

The event was scheduled to go on for two hours, but came to an end after just an hour of fishing, when the first thunder claps sounded and radar indicated lightning strikes just two miles away, according to the fishing club.

“Everyone cooperated when we had to call a stop to the event because of the storm coming,” Event Chair Ed Hoban said. “It’s safety first. You have to do the smart thing. No sense putting anyone in harm’s way.”

Fishing club volunteers had the youngsters’ parents or guardians sign waivers for insurance purposes and register the boys and girls. Club members also manned the beach with measuring devices to record sizes of the fish the youngsters caught.

“It’s the first year we had waivers to sign,” Ocean City Fishing Club President Frank Pizzutilla said. “It’s a smart thing to do and I want to thank everyone for understanding and cooperating.”

In addition to measuring fish, volunteers also helped the younger anglers cast and gave fishing advice to those who were novices. One dad, who preferred to remain anonymous, appreciated assistance given by club member Bob Dever.

“Thank goodness for his patience,” the father said. “I didn’t have a clue!”

The fishing tournament was held in cooperation with the Ocean City Department of Recreation. Founded in 1913, the Ocean City Fishing Club is the oldest, continuously operated fishing club in the nation.

The attached images were provided by the Ocean City Fishing Club

Main Image: Justin Lowery, 11, of Woodstown (left) and Danielle Audet, 10, of Lumberton, proudly display the Huffy bikes, trophies and ribbons they won for catching the largest fish in the Ocean CityFishing Club's 43rd Annual Boys and Girls Surf Fishing Tournament that was held Saturday. Danielle caught a 16.25-inch fluke, while Justin's fluke measured 15.5 inches.

First, second and third place winners for catching the most fish in the 8-10 age group of the Ocean City Fishing Club's 43rd Annual Boys and Girls Surf Fishing Tournament were (from right) Luke Whitworth, Kyle Markley, and Julia Roman. Whitworth and Roman also were overall winners of the most fish caught by a boy and a girl, with Luke landing 8 bluefish and Julia catching 2 fluke.

Justin Lowery (right) took top hook for the most fish caught in the 11-13 age group, followed by Finn Seeger (center) and Jack Reiscke in Ocean City Fishing Club's 43rd Annual Boys and Girls Surf Fishing Tournament. Justin also caught the largest fish overall in the boys division landing a 15.5-inch fluke.

Adam Madkour (right) came in first followed by Andrew Mattia for the most fish caught in the 14-16 age group in the Ocean City Fishing Club's 43rd Annual Boys and Girls Surf Fishing Tournament that was held Saturday.

Luke Whitworth shows off a 6.25-inch bluefish he caught at the Ocean City Fishing Club's 43rd Annual Boys and Girls Surf Fishing Tournament that was held Saturday.

Danielle Audet, 10, of Lumberton, holds a 16.25-inch flounder she landed to win top honors for largest fish in the Ocean City Fishing Club's 43rd Annual Boys and Girls Surf Fishing Tournament that was held Saturday.

Ed Hoban, chairman of the Ocean City Fishing Club's 43rd Annual Boys and Girls Surf Fishing Tournament that was held Saturday, removes the hook from a fluke caught by Andrew Mattia, 14, of Furlong PA. Mattia placed second for most fish caught in the 14-16 age group.

Sam Murphy, 15, (left) and Ben Loux, 15, both of Souderton PA, get their rigs ready for the start of the Ocean City Fishing Club's 43rd Annual Boys and Girls Surf Fishing Tournament that was heldSaturday.

Margaret Feil (left), secretary of the Ocean City Fishing Club, helps Jason Ellis of Penndel PA, register his daughter Natasha, 8, for the club's 43rd Annual Boys and Girls Surf Fishing Tournament on Saturday.

Courtney Stimson, 13, of Monroeville, shows off a kingfish, the first fish caught in the Ocean City Fishing Club's 43rd Annual Boys and Girls Surf Fishing Tournament that was held Saturday.