Children can demonstrate their skills with rod and reel for prizes in the Ocean City Fishing Club’s 43rd annual Boys’ and Girls’ Surf Fishing Tournament on August 11. Registration for the free event will begin at 9 a.m. at the north end beach near the Ocean CityLongport bridge. Parents or guardians will be asked to sign a waiver for insurance purposes before their children can participate. Each child must bring his or her own fishing gear and bait.
Fishing starts at 10 a.m and ends at noon followed by an awards presentation. “It’s a lot of fun for the kids,” said Ed Hoban, an OCFC member and tournament chairman. “There will be prizes for biggest fish in each age group, and every child gets something to take home. Last year we had about 75 boys and girls enter. Hopefully, we’ll get a hundred this year.” The tournament has three age categories: 8-10, 11-12, and 13-16 years old, with a boys’ and girls’ division in each grouping. Parents can help those 8-10 years old cast, but those youngsters have to do their own fishing after that. Three anglers who catch the most fish in each age category will win a rod and reel. The boy and girl who land the biggest fish overall will receive bicycles and trophies.
“Each year the Miller family donates the bikes in memory of Ralph Miller, who was chairman of
the tournament, and his wife, Marion,” Hoban explained. “And we get a lot of prizes donated by
many local businesses. We have backpacks, coolers, pizza certificates—all the things kids
like.”
OCFC members will be on hand to measure fish caught to determine winners, as well as give
expert advice. In case of rain, the tournament will be held at the same times August 18. “With all the rain we’ve had recently,” Hoban said, “we’re looking to have a beautiful day for our tournament this year. Hopefully, the fish will cooperate, too!”
Founded in 1913, OCFC is the oldest, continuously operated fishing club in the nation.
