Anglers participating in Ocean City Fishing Club’s 50th Invitational Surf Fishing Tournament will take to the beaches Saturday, November 17. The fall fishing classic, originally scheduled for October 27, was postponed due to a nor’easter that pounded the New Jersey coast with high winds and extreme surf conditions.
“We’re hoping for a lot better weather on November 17,” said Mike Collins, the club’s co-chair of the event along with Bob Dever. “We expect around 30 some teams with up to six people per team, as well as 15 to 20 individuals participating.”
Registration will take place from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. on the day of the tournament at the Ocean City Intermediate School, 18th Street and Bay Avenue. It costs $80 for a six-member team. Individuals can participate for just $15.
The tournament attracts teams from fishing clubs throughout the tri-state area and is held in coordination with the Association of Surf Angling Clubs. Collins credited city, school and police officials for approving the rescheduled date quickly, allowing use of the Intermediate School as headquarters for the event, and providing one-day free beach access for four-wheel-drive vehicles used by participants. That quick approval and cooperation allowed him to communicate the new date and times to those already signed up for the tournament.
“Officials have been really very responsive about approving the new date,” Collins said. “We’re very appreciative of their help.”
Teams and individuals will be assigned two beach locations to fish. The first of two fishing sessions will take place from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., with the second period starting at 11 a.m. and ending at 1:30 p.m. Afterwards, a free lunch, door prizes and trophy presentations will be held at the Intermediate School.
After the postponement in October, the club donated about 200 hotdog rolls that couldn’t be kept for the November 17 tournament to the Ocean City Food Bank.
“The food bank at St. Peter’s (United Methodist Church) was happy to get the rolls,” Collins said. “But we were able to keep the hotdogs stored for the new date. Let’s hope for good weather, good fishing and a fun time for everyone involved.”
Registration and payment may also be completed by mail to: OCFC, Attn: Tournament Chairmen, P.O. Box 1215, Ocean City NJ 08226. For more information, contact Mike Collins at 215-595-7261 or Bob Dever at 267-251-2306.
