NJ 17th Annual Governor's Surf Fishing Tournament Results

[livetofishnj]

Here's the official release from the NJ DFGW, it will be interesting to see what kind of positive and negative opinions come from them allowing fluke to be caught.

Anglers Enjoy Beautiful Weather at the 17th Annual Governor's Surf Fishing Tournament

October 7, 2008

Winner Richard Abdill with Governor's Cup and tournament sponsor representatives

More than 900 anglers turned out for the 17th Annual Governor's Surf Fishing Tournament on Sunday, October 5 at Island Beach State Park (IBSP) in Ocean County. Contestants enjoyed fishing the surf on a beautiful, sunny fall day, and fourteen anglers received awards for prize-winning fish.

Governor Jon S. Corzine and DEP Commissioner Lisa Jackson greeted anglers as they registered for the tournament early in the morning and also talked with representatives of conservation organizations sponsoring the event. The Governor then took a ride down the beach to meet tournament participants who were fishing and enjoying the day.

Grand prize went to Richard Abdill of Delran with a 21-inch summer flounder (fluke). Mr. Abdill received a plaque, along with a 7' Penn rod and reel combo, and a Penn reel with an 11' Tsunami rod. Additionally, his name will be engraved on the Governor's Cup, which will be permanently displayed at Island Beach State Park.

Along with the tournament prizes offered, the registration forms of pre-registrants and same-day entrants were placed into special drawings for additional prizes.

To date, the tournament has raised more than $120,000 for conservation projects and improved beach access. Funds have been used for the purchase of specialized beach wheel chairs that provide beach access for the disabled and elderly at IBSP; educational displays in the Interpretive Center at IBSP; a beach access ramp connecting parking area A7 to the beach at IBSP; an automatic heart defibrillator unit for IBSP; two mobile fishing equipment trailers with rods and reels for use in fishing education programs throughout the state; and educational materials/field study equipment for various environmental education programs.

The event was sponsored by the DEP's Division of Fish and Wildlife and Division of Parks and Forestry, the New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs, Jersey Coast Anglers Association and the New Jersey Beach Buggy Association.

The date for next year's tournament is October 4, 2009.

A complete list of winners follows:

Bluefish Category
Adult (Female)
First Place - Pat Polovina; Silver Beach; 18"

Adult (Male)
Third Place - Phil Rosso; Lambertville; 18 1/2 "
Second Place - Frank Fairchild; Westampton; 19"
First Place - Michael Clinton; Carlisle, PA; 20 1/8 "

Blackfish Category
Child (Female)
Second Place - Kaitlyn Bach; Toms River; 14 1/2"
First Place - Amelia Valdes; Toms River; 20 1/2"

Teen (Male)
First Place - Chris Rosetti; Bloomfield; 14 7/8"

Adult (Male)
Third Place - Claus Faller; Beachwood; 17"
Second Place - Larry Margiotta; Theills, NY; 17 1/2"
First Place - Zoltan Egyed; Trenton; 19 1/2"

Fluke Category
Adult (Female)
First Place - Maryanne Batten; Kenilworth; 18 1/2"

Adult (Male)
Third Place - Joe DeMarie; Neptune City; 18 1/4"
Second Place - Steven Rudkin; Willow Grove, PA; 18 1/4"

First Place and 2008 Governor's Cup Winner: Richard Abdill; Delran; 21"

Note: Although the regular fluke season closed on September 7, approval was obtained from the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission for Governor's Surf Fishing Tournament participants to keep legal sized fluke on the day of the tournament.

Participants were asked to record all fluke catches on a survey form that was provided when they registered for the tournament.

[sportfishingusa]

the fluke bull crap really tickles my feathers. i have also heard there is a boat somewhere on long island who purchased a permit to fish for them for another month or something.. dont know how true this is.. but who the hell knows...still some bullshit..

[livetofishnj]

don't know about the NY deal, but I don't see how that'd work. I don't know how buying a commercial permit would allow for fishing for hire. I guess you could do it for a private boat but that would be one big nut to drop to get another month of keeping fluke.

I can't decide how I feel about them keeping fluke for the tourney. On one hand I can see the research info being positive and well with these BS regs then I'm all for anyone finding a way to stretch it one more day. On the other hand maybe they should have found a way to do it statewide with some kind of mandatory reporting or something.

[sportfishingusa]

that would have a been a good idea.. i just think they do it at the wrong time.. why not do it the second week of november or something...

i mean come on.. 900 people fishing and not one bass keeper!?!? SOMETHING IS WRONG THERE. LOL

[Capt. Brian Daley]

And here I'am releasing the biggist fluke of the season on sunday and they get to keep what a freaking joke this is and
a scam

[livetofishnj]

yeah, 2 months of struggling to scratch out a catch and now that we can't touch them, they're stacked up

[sportfishingusa]

Originally Posted by livetofishnj

yeah, 2 months of struggling to scratch out a catch and now that we can't touch them, they're stacked up

im going to follow you aroudn until you come down here and let me buy you some dinner, some drinks, and some fishing included!! lol haha

so local yet so damn far you are... haha

[livetofishnj]

If I don;t get down there this week I'll definitely be down when I get back from Florida. Tough to refuse an invitation like that

[sportfishingusa]

Originally Posted by livetofishnj

If I don;t get down there this week I'll definitely be down when I get back from Florida. Tough to refuse an invitation like that

you bet your ass.. we will hit the beach in the morning.. cut out and join the 99 beer club at the crabs claw for some dungenous crabs and some sandwiches for lunc and knock off about 10 beers and turn it into the 89 beer club..

then we can hit the beach again and go crazy and find some more fish and then we are all set.

then we go back to the crib and smoke some fish, some ribs, some chicken, and then we get some more beer and get crazy!! lol

[livetofishnj]

I can do the drinking and the fishing, but the rest of that sounds like too much work...lol