STRATHMERE — The Strathmere Fishing & Environmental Club has scheduled an open house and fishing education forum for March 22.
Set for 5 to 8 p.m. at the Strathmere Firehouse, the event will feature guest speakers on where to find and how to catch striped bass and flounder, as well as reef conservation; hands-on knot-tying and tackle-rigging workshops; insights on local fishing and environmental initiatives; community networking and membership signups. Refreshments will be served.
“Instead of having our normal spring meeting, we will open up the fire hall to participants and speakers from local tackle shops and local fishing captains with tips and hands-on lessons,” SFEC President Wayne Thomas said.
The group is focused on a common interest in fishing, boating, the New Jersey artificial reef program and education/action concerning issues such as clean water, beach/bay resiliency and marine conservation, and promotes those endeavors through social gatherings, environmental activities and tournaments.
This year, the club is working on two more reef deployments, which would be the SFEC’s 25th and 26th.
“We typically try to do one artificial reef deployment each year, but we are doing two this spring,” Thomas said.
The club is sponsoring two dozen reef balls. Half will be deployed as part of a 70-foot by 40-foot rectangular reef field at the Ocean City Reef situated outside Corsons Inlet. The other half, in partnership with Boulevard Bait and Tackle, will be added to the Townsends Inlet Reef to the south.
“The SFEC is dedicated to creating marine habitats, breeding and feeding area for hundreds of marine animals,” Thomas said. “We also focus on enhancing fishing and diving reefs near our members and community’s favorite spots.”
New Jersey has 17 designated reef sites. The Ocean City Reef memorial expansion will feature 12 1,200-pound reef balls. Sponsorship is managed by the SFEC Environmental Committee and members of the public can participate by being added to the reef memorial latitude-longitude charts and receive SFEC recognition.
Thomas said they get the reef balls — hollow “igloos” made of concrete that protect the sea floor and encourage sea grass growth, providing habitat for bait fish that in turn attract larger fish — from a company in Florida.
The addition to the Townsends Inlet Reef will be named in honor of the bait and tackle shop, which has supported SFEC events for many years, according to Thomas.
“They’re the reefs we typically fish,” he said.
Celebrating its 41st season, the SFEC sponsors social events including several fishing tournaments, the Souper Bowl, the Nightmare in Strathmere boat parade, barbecues and several shore-related events for children.
“We’re looking to have a pretty active 2025 with all of the things we have planned,” Thomas said.
Visit Strathmere Fishing and Environmental Club on Facebook for a full schedule of events.
– By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff