Ralph Miller, center, chair of the 40th annual Boys and Girls Surf Fishing Tournament, awards new bicycles to, at left, Megan Ambrogi, 15, of Unionville PA, and 11-year-old Tyler Heres, of West Milford NJ.
Two young anglers now have brand-new bicycles and a third owns a custom-made fishing rod because of their prowess in the Ocean City Fishing Club’s 40th annual Boys and Girls Surf Fishing Tournament on Saturday, August 8.
Fifteen-year-old Megan Ambrogi, of Unionville PA, won her bike by catching the largest fish in the tournament — a keeper 18-inch summer flounder on a live minnow. Her counterpart was Tyler Heres, 11, of West Milford NJ, who reeled in a 17 ¼-inch flounder.
Because she caught the most fish for a girl — or anyone else — Maddi Koury, 13, of Chester Springs, PA, took home a seven-foot rod fashioned from a St. Croix blank and donated by legendary rod maker Joe Kelly, of JK’s Rods-in-Rigs in Hatboro PA. Her total was 21 sea bass and one oyster cracker.
Catching the most fish among the boys was Xavier Ladik, 10, of Moorestown NJ., with six sea bass. He received a surf rod in addition to a plaque.
Prizes were also awarded for catches in three age categories: 8 to 10 years; 11 to 13 years; and 14 to 16 years.
Confronted by a brisk Northeast wind and an incoming tide, 100 youngsters participated in the two-hour tournament along Ocean City’s North Beach near the Ocean City-Longport Bridge. They caught a total of 59 fish. All undersized fish were returned to the water.
During the competition, members of the fishing club measured and recorded every catch. They were also available to offer advice and assistance when needed.
Co-sponsored each year by the Ocean City Department of Recreation, the free event is open to boys and girls between the ages of 8 and 16.
Club secretary Margaret Feil, of Ocean View, coordinated the registrations and tallied the final results.
Tournament chair Ralph Miller, of Ocean City and West Chester PA, thanked the many Ocean City businesses that donated rods, reels, gift certificates, and other prizes for the youngsters.
— By George Ingram for the Ocean City Fishing Club
