OCEAN CITY — Youth fishing tournaments attract a variety of participants—first-timers, their families for support, even veterans of other young angler competitions. The Ocean City Fishing Club’s 47th Annual Boys and Girls Surf Fishing Tournament that was held Saturday also had some “firsts.”

Among the 118 participants, the newly-formed Atlantic City Youth Fishing Club came to cast their lines, along with a 10-year-old from Malvern, PA, with his own YouTube fishing program, and a boy who hasn’t played a computer video game since taking up angling this year.

Under sunny skies and a steady breeze after nearly a week of dismal weather, Kyle Eisenbeis a retired Atlantic City Police Department patrolman and two other officers, brought five boys in the new fishing club to the OCFC event. Patrolman David White and Sergeant Kevin Law join Eisenbeis as fishing mentors.

“It’s our first year as an organized fishing club through a grant that we received,” he said, as he helped the boys, ranging in age from 11-14, rig their lines. “We fish every Saturday morning in various places like Gardner’s Basin in Atlantic City and the fishing pier on the Ocean City bridge.”

After talking with Ed Parkinson, one of the tournament organizers who also heads up the club’s fall surf tournament, the Atlantic City Youth Fishing Club plans to participate in the event next month.

One of the youngsters, Christopher Bell, 11, who had no previous experience fishing, said it just seemed like “a good idea” when considering something new.

“To me, it’s like a game,” he said with a broad smile.  “I’m trying to outsmart fish that I can’t even see. I just like the whole idea of it—trying to figure it out.”

If he needs some suggestions for outsmarting fish, he might want to tune in to a YouTube channel run by Christian Edginton, 10, Malvern, PA. Participating in his third tournament, he’s an avid angler who even records his own fishing exploits with a GoPro camera system that was hanging from around his neck.

His cheering section on the beach behind him included his mother Stephanie, father Eric, and three sisters, along with his grandparents Caron and Michael Vanaria, Moorestown, and a few cousins and friends, all wearing blue t-shirts emblazoned with “Reel Mates,” the name of  Christian’s YouTube channel.

“He’s been fishing since he was a little boy,” said his mother. “To get the money for the GoPro, he started a pet service business. Now he creates ‘how to’ videos and puts them on his YouTube channel. He even does fly fishing back home.”

And Dominic Abt, 11, Red Bank, Monmouth County, has traded video games for fishing gear. He claims fishing provides just as much excitement as any diversion he can find on a computer.

“I just love the thrill of reeling in a fish,” he said, while baiting a hook. “And there’s just so much excitement when I do. It’s all very good!”

His mother Laura, who’s been vacationing in Ocean City since before Dominic was born, endorses his new-found interest.

“Since he took up fishing, he doesn’t miss playing video games at all,” she said, watching him from her beach chair. “He’s become a devoted angler. It’s just wonderful to see.”

Dominic was one of the 94 boys and 24 girls who participated in the OCFC tournament. They competed in three age categories: 8-10, 11-13, and 14-16 years old, with a boys’ and girls’ division in each grouping. However, there weren’t any girls who registered to fish in the 14-16 age group.

Olivia DiLucchio and Christian Rotondo each landed a 13” flounder to take top prize for largest fish overall in the girls and boys divisions, respectively.

In the 8-10 age category, Chloe Kilroy and Sidney Langley scored the most points for fish in their divisions, while Grace Daley and James Veltri amassed the most fish points in the 11-13 age bracket.

Since there weren’t any girls fishing in the 14-16 age group, Nick DiRico, who left before the awards ceremonies, and Sean Scott shared top honors in the boys group. Club officials will attempt to contact him via email to present his prize, a custom-made Century fishing rod.

A total of 74 fish were caught during the two-hour tournament, including kingfish, flounder, spot, croaker, sea robin, skate, dogfish, and even a few horseshoe crabs.

All participants receiving prizes donated by local and offshore businesses, as well as OCFC members. Top city donors included Johnny B. Good Ice Cream Parlor, Shoemaker Lumber, McDonald’s and Tight Lines Bait & Tackle in Somers Point and two custom rods from Century-Advanced Fishing Rods of Avalon.

“Everybody had a blast,” said Drew Furst, who together with fellow club member Ed Parkinson, organized the OCFC event. “It was great to see so many smiling faces on all the kids who participated. Thanks to everyone for coming, those who donated prizes and to all our club members who helped put on this event.”

OCFC member were on hand to measure fish and calculate totals to determine winners, as well as give expert advice. The tournament was held in cooperation with the Ocean City Department of Recreation. Founded in 1913, OCFC is the oldest, continuously operating fishing club in the United States.

OCEAN CITY — Visitors again set new records for donating to the local Food Cupboard at the Ocean City Fishing Club’s Open House at the Pier this past Thursday evening.

By the end of the two-hour open house, 1,183 people passed through the pier gate, brought 260 lbs of non-perishable food and gave $1,348.80 to benefit the Ocean City Food Cupboard.

“That’s the most we’ve ever collected,” said Tom Yucis, OCFC president. “It’s wonderful to see how generous people can be in supporting such a worthy cause.”

At this year’s two open houses, 2,203 visitors brought a total of 480 lbs of food and $2,243.80 to help stock the Food Cupboard shelves.

Last year, 2,112 people came to the club’s two open houses and brought 385 lbs of food and gave $1,924 to help feed the needy.

“And everyone really enjoyed walking the pier,” Yucis said. “We saw smiles everywhere the whole evening.”

Local residents Deb and Frank Perillo were first in line as people waited for the gate to open at 6 p.m.

“From where we live, we can see it all the time,” Frank said, “but we’ve never been on it. We just want to see what it’s like.”

OCFC members were on hand to help visitors take photos with the beach, Atlantic Ocean and Boardwalk as backgrounds and also to answer questions about the pier.

Ben Heere, 11, and his brother Jeff, 9, Abington, PA, were especially interested in the bait OCFC member Joel Richman had on display. Each got to examine bloodworms close up, with Jeff passing one to his brother to hold in his hand.

“It’s kind of cool,” young Jeff remarked to his brother, who was waiting his turn to hold a bloodworm.

“The kids are really curious about the bloodworms,” Richman said. “Some  want to hold one, some are a bit timid but will try, and others don’t want to touch them at all.”

Good weather helped the enthusiastic crowds enjoy their visit, with pictures being taken everywhere on the pier. As they ended their tour of the pier, nearly everyone expressed thanks to OCFC members for the opportunity to visit.The club has been holding open houses on the pier to benefit the Food Cupboard since its centennial celebration in 2013.

The OCFC, a private fishing club, has a strong commitment to community involvement through programs that include the open houses, the youth fishing tournament, awarding scholarships and advocating for recreational fishing. Founded in 1913, it is the oldest, continually operating fishing club in the United States. 

To prepare for registration, please print and sign the below document. It will be needed at the day of registration. (we will also have forms at sign up)

BOYS & GIRLS FISHING TOURNAMENT

FREE ENTRY FOR ALL AGES 8-16

SATURDAY, AUGUST 10TH, North-end beach by the Longport Bridge WALK-UP registration BEGINS AT 9:00 AM

*Preregistration is available HERE

OCEAN CITY — More than a thousand people enjoyed Ocean City Fishing Club’s Open House at the Pier this past Thursday. Visitors brought a record 220 lbs. of non-perishable food to benefit the local Food Cupboard and donated $895 to the agency.

Last year, 2,112 visitors attended two open houses. At the first event, 190 lbs. of food were donated, and 195 lbs. at the second. A total of $1,924 was contributed to the Ocean City Food Cupboard.

“When we opened the pier gate,” said Tom Yucis, “it seemed a little slow. But as the evening went on, the visitors kept coming, for a total of 1,020. Thanks to their generosity, we were again able to make a significant contribution to the Food Cupboard. I look forward to next week when we have our second open house of the year.”

That Open House at the Pier will be held Thursday, August 8, from 6-8 p.m. Visitors again are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items or to make a cash donation to help feed the needy.

Weather plays a factor in the success of any outdoor event, and although rain forced the club to reschedule its first open house this year, Yucis looks forward to fair skies and sunshine bringing even more people to the pier for the next open house.

“In addition to contributing to a worthy cause,” he said, “everyone just enjoys the experience. All you see are smiles on everyone’s faces.”

Don Miller, who just moved to Ocean City recently after retiring from his work in California with First Tee, a youth development organization that combines golf with developing life skills, was first in line for the open house.

“I grew up in Vineland, and I’ve always wanted to walk the pier,” he said, sharing a sentiment heard from many visitors. “This is so great!”

Matt Kish, 10, who will be going into the fourth grade when he goes back to school in Pennsylvania, studied a chart that listed the sizes of various fish caught on the pier.

“I like fishing,” the youngster said. “I caught a bluefish in Florida, and I want to go for stripers someday.”

Club members were on hand at various locations on the pier to answer questions and to help take photos for visitors with the Atlantic Ocean and Boardwalk as scenic backdrops. Some youngsters, like Jackson Diamond, 10, from Hamilton Square, NJ, even got some hands-on experience with bait used for fishing.

“That’s slimy!” he exclaimed, as he held a bloodworm offered by Joel Richman, one of the OCFC club members at the pier bait shack.

The traffic onto the pier was steady and enthusiastic, with many expressing thanks to the club for welcoming them to tour the pier. The club has been holding open houses on the pier to benefit the Food Cupboard since its centennial celebration in 2013.

The OCFC, a private fishing club, has a strong commitment to community involvement through programs that include the open houses, the youth fishing tournament, awarding scholarships and advocating for recreational fishing. Founded in 1913, it is the oldest, continually operating fishing club in the United States.

Tonight's open house at the Ocean City Fishing Club pier is postponed to August 15, due to forecasts of rain and possible thunderstorms. The public will be able to tour the pier next Thursday from 6-8 p.m. The OCFC encourages visitors to bring non-perishable foods or make a cash donation to benefit the Ocean City Food Cupboard.

More than a thousand people at the first open house on August 1, brought 220 lbs of non-perishable food and donated $895 to help feed the needy. The OCFC has been holding open houses on the pier to benefit the local food agency since its centennial celebration in 2013.