The 38th Boys & Girls Surf Fishing Tourney Set for Aug. 10

The century-old Ocean City Fishing Club (OCFC) will hold its 38th annual Boys & Girls Surf Fishing Tournament for youth ages 8 to 16 on Saturday, Aug. 10, at the North End Beach near the Ocean City-Longport Bridge. 

This free event, co-sponsored by the Ocean City Department of Recreation, takes place from 10 a.m. to noon, with registration from 9 to 10 a.m. at the parking lot adjacent to the bridge toll booth.

Prizes donated by area merchants will be awarded for first, second, and third places to youngsters in three age categories: 8 to 10 years; 11 to 13 years; and 14 to 16 years.

Boys and girls must bring their own bait and tackle, but they can select their fishing spots within a designated area along the beach. Some recommended baits are bloodworms, squid, clam, shedder crab, Gulp, Fishbites, and metal lures. During the tournament, club members will measure the catches. Parents are allowed to bait hooks and cast for the youngest competitors.

The rain date is Aug. 17.

In last year’s competition, the young anglers caught 113 fish, including sea bass, kingfish, bluefish, flounder, spot, sand sharks, and oyster crackers.

“In this, the centennial year of our founding, we look forward to hosting a large group of boys and girls,” said Ralph Miller, the tournament chairman who lives in Ocean City and West Chester, PA. In charge of registration is club secretary Margaret Feil, of Ocean View.

Founded in 1913, the Ocean City Fishing Club is the oldest incorporated, continuously operated fishing club in the nation.

In addition to the Boys and Girls tournament, the club will host a three-day Centennial Invitational Surf Fishing Tournament for six-member teams on Oct. 17-19.

For more information: George Ingram, 609-398-0534 ingramg@aol.com