Young Newark Anglers Capture Prizes In County Fishing Derbies

NEWARK, NJ — Some Newark youth now have a big fish tale to tell after landing a prize-winning catch in a county derby.

Essex County recently brought back its annual series of youth fishing derbies for 2025. Each contest was free and open to children ages 15 and younger.

Derbies took place at Irvington Park, Verona Park, Weequahic Park (Newark), Grover Cleveland Park Pond (Essex Fells/Caldwell), Monte Irvin Orange Park, Branch Brook Park (Newark/Belleville), and the South Mountain Recreation Complex (West Orange).

Winners from Newark this year included Cavon Weathers, who caught the most fish in the boys’ ages 11-15 category at the derby in Weequahic Park (see photo above).

Other winners included:

Immaculee Holland from Newark caught the most fish in the girls’ ages 1-5 category at the derby in Irvington Park.

Chad Sankurin from Newark caught the most fish in the boys’ ages 11-15 category at the derby in Essex County Branch Brook Park.

Nathan Rodriguez from Newark caught the most fish in the boys’ ages 6-10 category at the derby in Branch Brook Park.

Leonardo Arencibia from Newark caught the first fish in the boys’ category at the derby in Branch Brook Park.

Abby Espinal from Newark caught the first fish in the girls’ category at the derby in Branch Brook Park.

Shamar Drinkard-Lops from Newark caught the first fish in the boys’ category at the derby in Monte Irvin Orange Park.

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