Ominous storm clouds over the Boardwalk didn’t deter visitors from touring Ocean City Fishing Club’s fishing pier and helping the local food cupboard at an open house Thursday evening.
While learning about the history of the club and its pier, watching fishing demonstrations and enjoying the views of the ocean and beachfront, the 425 visitors also contributed 82 pounds of non-perishable food items and donated $100 to the Ocean City Food Cupboard. An anonymous donor matched the cash collected, raising the total to $200.
“We’ve been doing this ever since our centennial celebration in 2013,” said Margaret Feil, OCFC secretary. “It’s a great way to help local people in need.”
The club will conduct a second open house at the pier, located on the Boardwalk at 14th Street, from 6-8 p.m. on Aug. 1, also benefiting the food cupboard.
As families and friends, young and old, passed through the pier’s doorway with their contributions, fishing club members greeted and briefed them on the club history and answered any questions they posed. After they walked the pier’s 635-foot length, visitors watched club members demonstrate fishing techniques.
“It’s a good thing the tide’s coming in,” said Bob Dever, one of the members who sent his baited rig soaring into the wind as a group crowded around him. “That should help us catch some fish tonight.”
Within minutes, his rod tip jerked sharply. Dever set the hook and reeled in a fish, bringing cheers and smiles to those gathered nearby, especially the children.
“They love it when we catch something,” Dever said, smiling.
Dever’s fellow anglers at the pier, Tom Deacon and Ross Seyfert, had similar luck as they also landed fish to delight the visitors. Some youngsters got to help, as OCFC members handed their rods to them once the hook was set, landing mostly kingfish and a few weakfish.
“I’m very excited. It’s my first time,” said Taylor Meredith, 9, who touched a fish Seyfert caught.
Taylor and her mother, Semra Taylor, who grew up in Haddonfield, came to the shore from Pewee Valley, Ky., to visit family.
Liam Iannetta, 8, enjoyed the pier while on vacation from Allentown, Pa. Liam already has some fishing experience, listing catfish, bass and rainbow trout among the freshwater species he’s caught, as well as fishing trophies he’s won.
“I belong to a rod and gun club in the Poconos, so we get to fish quite a bit,” said Joe Iannetta, Liam’s father. “We just need to fish more in saltwater now.”
The open house coincides with the city’s Family Night on the Boardwalk. Founded in 1913, the OCFC has a strong commitment to community involvement besides helping the local Food Cupboard. The club sponsors youth fishing tournaments, hosts disabled children, awards scholarships and advocates for recreational fishing.
