49th Annual Children's Fishing Tournament
49th Annual Children's Fishing Tournament
SPONSORED BY OCEAN CITY FISHING CLUB & THE CITY OF OCEAN CITY
FREE ENTRY FOR ALL AGES 8-16
SATURDAY, AUGUST 8TH
9:00 AM EST - 11:00 AM EST
The gate opens at 8 AM EST
Location is the North End beach by the Longport Bridge
Pre-registration is highly suggested -
2026 Children's Tournament waiver download
2026 Children's Tournament details download
2026 Children's Tournament rules download
New this year:
Family surf casting demo Friday, August 7th, 8:30 to 9:30 AM on the beach at the south end of our fishing pier. No registration required.
Ocean City Fishing Club Awards Annual Scholarship to Ocean City High School Graduate Martin Stanczak
OCEAN CITY, N.J. — The Ocean City Fishing Club (OCFC) has awarded its annual $1,000 scholarship to Ocean City High School graduate Martin Stanczak, who will attend Northeastern University in Boston this fall to study chemistry.
Stanczak discovered his passion for chemistry almost by chance.
“I accidentally enrolled in an AP Chemistry class during my junior year and found that I like chemistry a lot,” he said during a recent visit to the Ocean City Fishing Club Fishing Pier. “I like the concept of finding ways to help people and solve problems.”
While he has not yet decided which branch of chemistry he will pursue, Stanczak is interested in medical, environmental, and cosmetic chemistry. “I want to focus my efforts in an area where I can help people,” he said.
Before leaving for college in mid‑September, Stanczak will continue working as a beach tag supervisor for the City of Ocean City, a summer position he has held for the past four years. He is also a self‑taught piano and guitar player and enjoys spending time with friends.
During his years at Ocean City High School, he participated on the golf team and was active in the National Honor Society, Student Council, and the Latin Club. He also served as an OCHS ambassador and volunteered in the school’s annual food drive.
The scholarship recipient is recommended by Ocean City High School faculty and administration and reflects the Fishing Club’s commitment to supporting local students and giving back to the community.
In addition to its scholarship program, the Ocean City Fishing Club will host public open houses on the Fishing Pier from 6–8 p.m. on July 30 and August 13 to collect food and cash donations for the Ocean City Food Cupboard. The club will also host its annual Boys and Girls Surf Fishing Tournament at 9 a.m. on Saturday, August 8, on the north‑end beach near the Ocean City–Longport Bridge, rain or shine.
Ocean City Fishing Club to Host Summer Open Houses Benefiting Local Food Cupboard
OCEAN CITY, N.J. — The Ocean City Fishing Club (OCFC) will once again open its historic fishing pier to the public this summer while collecting food and monetary donations for the Ocean City Food Cupboard.
The club will host Open House events on Thursday, July 30, and Thursday, August 13, from 6 to 8 p.m. Rain dates, if needed, are July 31 and August 14.
Located at 14th Street and the Boardwalk, the 635‑foot fishing pier will welcome visitors for an opportunity to tour one of Ocean City’s most recognizable landmarks while supporting a local cause. Guests are encouraged to bring non‑perishable food items or make a monetary donation to benefit the Ocean City Food Cupboard.
Last year’s first Open House event attracted approximately 1,750 visitors, who donated 290 pounds of food and $2,433 to the Food Cupboard, setting new fundraising records for the annual event.
“We’re grateful for the incredible generosity shown by our community each year,” said Augie Conte III, president of the Ocean City Fishing Club. “The Open Houses give visitors a chance to experience our historic pier while helping neighbors in need. We hope the community will once again support the Food Cupboard with food and monetary donations.”
Club members will be available throughout the evenings to greet visitors, answer questions, and share the history of the organization and its landmark fishing pier. The structure extends 635 feet from the Boardwalk over the beach and Atlantic Ocean and was lengthened by approximately 113 feet following an expansion completed in 2021.
Held in conjunction with Ocean City’s popular Family Night on the Boardwalk, the Open Houses are part of the club’s ongoing commitment to community service. In addition to supporting the Food Cupboard, the Ocean City Fishing Club sponsors youth fishing programs, awards annual scholarships, and advocates for recreational fishing. The club’s food drive began during its centennial celebration in 2013.
Ocean City Fishing Club to Host 49th Annual Children’s Surf Fishing Tournament
OCEAN CITY, N.J. — The Ocean City Fishing Club (OCFC), in partnership with the City of Ocean City, invites young anglers to participate in its 49th Annual Boys & Girls Surf Fishing Tournament on Saturday, August 8, beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the north‑end beach near the Longport–Ocean City Bridge.
The free event, open to boys and girls ages 8 to 16, is expected to attract about 150 participants. Every child who pre‑registers and fishes will receive a gift bag. All registered anglers may participate in a free raffle at the conclusion of the awards ceremony, where several prizes will be given away.
Parents or guardians are encouraged to register in advance through the Ocean City Fishing Club website and complete the required waiver forms before arriving to help reduce registration lines on tournament day.
“This tournament continues to grow each year, and registering online with completed waiver forms will help families get on the beach and fishing more quickly,” said Ed Parkinson, OCFC Trustee and Tournament Chair.
Check‑in begins at 8:00 a.m. Fishing starts promptly at 9:00 a.m. and concludes at 11:00 a.m., followed immediately by the awards ceremony. The tournament will be held rain or shine.
Participants must bring their own fishing rod, reel, and tackle. Fresh bait is optional because every angler will receive a FishBites bloodworm sample pack. Parents may assist children ages 13 and younger with casting, but youngsters must catch their own fish.
New this year: tournament awards will be based on age groups. The only exception is the 14–16 division, which will compete as a single combined group. Awards will be presented based on total fish inches in each division, with first‑ and second‑place prizes awarded. An electronic scoring system will speed the awards presentation, while OCFC volunteers will assist participants with baiting hooks, untangling lines, measuring catches, recording results, and safely releasing fish.
Every participant will receive a 31‑inch flexible Release Ruler displaying current New Jersey fishing regulations to support the tournament’s catch‑measure‑and‑release format.
The event is made possible through the dedication of OCFC volunteers, generous sponsors, local businesses, and club members. Last year, nearly $9,000 in fishing equipment, accessories, and prizes was distributed to participating children.
The Ocean City Fishing Club is the oldest continuously operated fishing club in the country.
Enjoy reading about our club activities, events, and tournaments. We also provide detailed information about the club and the pier. Watch for our annual Open Houses each year.
In 2013 our club celebrated 100 years! For more information about our history, check out the Centennial Page, view our Centennial Video, or read about 100th Anniversary Tournament.
For more information on our club activities, check the Events Schedule, Club Meetings, and Tournament Page,
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