Threat of Rain Fails to Dampen Boys and Girls Fishing Contest

Despite the possibility of rain, 73 youngsters and their parents and grandparents assembled on Ocean City’s north-end beach Saturday morning (Aug. 11) for the 37^th annual Boys and Girls Surf Fishing Tournament.

The downpour did not arrive until hours after the end of the event, giving  contestants all the time they needed to reel in a total of 113 fish, including flounder, sea bass, kingfish, weakfish, spot, sand sharks and oyster catchers.

This free event for boys and girls between 8 and 16 years of age is co-sponsored by the Ocean City Fishing Club (OCFC) and the City’s Department of Recreation, with support from area merchants and businesses that donate prizes. Many of the young anglers return year after year to compete in the tournament.

“Last night was the first time since Christmas Eve that my kids were in bed before 10 pm,” Michele Jaeschke, of Ocean City and Warminster, Pa., told OCFC President Bruce Balderson and several club members on the beach. “They knew they were going fishing this morning.”

Top prizes, including fishing rods and trophies, went to the following anglers:

• Most fish caught by a girl: Alexis Erazmus, 8, of Yardley, Pa.
• Most fish caught by a boy: Hunter Leeds, 12, Ocean City, N.J.
• Largest fish caught by a girl: Maddi Koury, 10, Birchrunville, Pa., with a 17-inch flounder.
• Largest fish caught by a boy: Joseph Mellace, 11, Audubon, N.J., a 13.75-inch flounder.

Awards were also distributed for first, second, and third places in three age categories: 8 to 10; 11 to 13; and 14 to 16. 

The tournament chair was Ralph Miller, of Ocean City, and West Chester, Pa., who is an OCFC trustee. Ocean View resident Margaret Feil, the OCFC secretary, handled registration and compiled data gathered by club members who measured and recorded each catch.

 Established in 1913 and heading into its centennial year, the Ocean City Fishing Club is the oldest, continuously operating fishing club in the nation. In addition to the Boys and Girls Surf Fishing Tournament, the club also co-sponsors the annual Ocean City Invitational Surf Fishing Tournament for teams and individuals. The 45th tournament is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 15.

— George Ingram, Ocean City Fishing Club