More than 100 anglers cast lines out Saturday during Ocean City Fishing Club’s 56th Annual Surf Fishing Tournament, with Merchantville A taking first place fishing team honors for the second consecutive year.
Anglers on that team scored 369.25 points by catching 23 bluefish and two kingfish, besting the second place American Anglers White Team by more than 100 points. Fish points are awarded based on species, number of fish caught and size.
American Anglers White racked up 228.75 points with 14 bluefish and three kingfish, ahead of the third place Surf N Land with eight blues, six kings and a sundial for 184.25 points.
“We had 17 teams and 12 individuals for a total of 105 anglers competing this year,” said Augie Conte III, OCFC president. “The northeast winds were blowing up to 30 miles per hour at times, but conditions were fishable on a mostly outgoing tide.”
By the end of the tournament, anglers caught 130 fish, mostly bluefish ranging from 13 to 17 inches, some kingfish, a sundial and a 10-inch pompano.
Kevin Grieves, fishing with Merchantville A, scored 112.5 points to win most fish points for an individual, landing seven bluefish and one kingfish.
Kristy Rodano, a Creek Keepers team member, came in first for the largest fish caught by a woman with a 16-inch bluefish. Chuck Blubnyts, from team Seasick, caught a 17.25-inch bluefish to win largest fish for men. Charlie DeComa, also on team Seasick, took top honors in the youth division for catching two bluefish.
The tournament started at 7 a.m. with two 2.5-hour fishing sessions along city beaches from 41st to 57th streets. The first session ended at 9:30 a.m., giving participants a half-hour to relocate to a second position, where fishing ended at 12:30 p.m.
OCFC hosted participants for lunch at the Ocean City Intermediate School, which served as tournament headquarters where prizes also were awarded to winners.
“I’m glad we had such good weather for fishing after a few stormy days earlier this week,” Conte said. “We look forward to hosting our 57th tournament next year and hope even more anglers will participate.”
The city provided complimentary one-day passes for anglers to drive on the beaches. The tournament is held in coordination with the Association of Surf Angling Clubs and supported by local organizations and businesses that donated prizes.
Founded in 1913, the Ocean City Fishing Club is the oldest, continuously operating fishing club in the United States.
