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.
– STORY and PHOTOS by GREG BORAK/For the Sentinel
