OCEAN CITY —More than 175 anglers are expected to line the beaches Saturday, October 26, to participate in Ocean City Fishing Club’s 51st Invitational Surf Fishing Tournament.

Ed Parkinson, OCFC’s tournament chair, said the annual event draws teams from fishing clubs throughout the tri-state area, but is open to individuals as well. He expects more than 28 clubs with six-member teams, and upwards of 15 individuals to participate in the tournament, which is held in coordination with the Association of Surf Angling Clubs.

“Even if someone doesn’t belong to a fishing club, they can register on the morning of the tournament and we’ll put them together with other individuals to create a fishing team,” he said.

Registration for the tournament will take place from 5:30 a.m. to 7 a.m. at the Ocean City Primary School, 550 West Ave., a new location this year. In the past, tournament headquarters was at the Intermediate School. It costs $65 for a six-member team, while individuals can enter for $15.

When they arrive, anglers will be assigned a different beach location for each of two fishing sessions. The first will take place from 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. After a half-hour break to move to their next designated area, anglers will then fish from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Afterwards, participants will return to the Primary School for a free lunch, door prizes and trophy presentations.

The tournament will span beaches from 23rd to 40th Streets, using vehicle access points at 23rd and 34th Streets, Parkinson said.

“Thanks to our police department, anglers will be issued free one-day beach driving permits,” Parkinson said. “Also, thanks to all the individuals and businesses that contributed services and prizes for the tournament. We’ve got everything from certificates for dinners, hotel stays, and gift baskets, to all kinds of fishing gear, like custom rods, reels and fishing carts.”

Registration and payment may also be completed by mail to: OCFC, Attn: Tournament Chairman, P.O. Box 1215, Ocean City NJ 08226

For more information, contact Ed Parkinson at 215-680-6652 or eparkinson718@gmail.com - 30 -

OCEAN CITY — Young anglers can show off their skills with rod and reel in the Ocean City Fishing Club's 44th annual Boys’ and Girls’ Surf Fishing Tournament on Saturday, August 10.

Registration for the free event will begin at 9 a.m. at the north end beach near the Ocean City-Longport 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. The event will be held rain or shine.

“Last year, we had to curtail the tournament after about an hour, at the first sound of thunder and lightning,” said Ed Hoban, OCFC chairman of the event. “Hopefully, we’ll have better weather 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 cast for children 8-10 years old, but once their lines are in the water, those youngsters have to do their own fishing. 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.

“The Miller family donates the bikes each year in memory of Ralph Miller, who ran the tournament, and his wife, Marion,” Hoban said.

Eighty-four youngsters participated last year and caught 32 fish. Flounder was the biggest fish reeled in at 16.25 inches and 15.5 inches in the girls and boys divisions, respectively.

“We get a lot of support from local businesses that donate prizes,” Hoban said. “There’s a variety of things to award the winners, such as fishing supplies, gift cards for food, backpacks, coolers—just about anything you can think of that young people like.”

OCFC members will be on hand to measure fish caught to determine winners, as well as give expert advice. Founded in 1913, OCFC is the oldest, continuously operated fishing club in the nation.