OCEAN CITY — The Ocean City Fishing Club has scheduled its 57th annual Surf Fishing Tournament for Sept. 19, bringing more than 100 anglers to the island’s beaches south of 23rd Street for a day of surf fishing, friendly competition and camaraderie.
About 20 fishing clubs are expected to participate in the fall event that’s guided by the rules of the Association of Surf Angling Clubs.
In addition to adults, teenagers are also welcome to participate. Boys and girls younger than 16 fish for free.
Entry fees are $80 for each six-member adult team and $15 for adult individuals.
All those participating, including those registering on tournament day, must report to the Ocean City Intermediate School from 5:30 to 7 a.m. to get information packets that will give them their assigned fishing locations.
The first fishing session is from 7:30 to 9 a.m., followed by a relocation period from 9 to 10 a.m., then the second fishing session from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Lunch at Ocean City Intermediate School is set for 12:30 p.m. and the awards ceremony at 1 p.m.
The city is providing free beach access for four-wheel-drive vehicles used by anglers. Participants without vehicles will be assigned an easy access, fixed location and may fish in the first, second or both scheduled sessions.
Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams, as well as to individual and youth category winners. In addition, there will be a Calcutta for the largest scoring fish.
Registration fees should be made payable to Ocean City Fishing Club and mailed to OCFC Matt Heisley – Tournament Chair, P.O. Box 1215, Ocean City, NJ 08226. Visit asaconline.org/tournaments.html or email dheisley75@gmail.com for more information.