53rd Annual Long Beach Island Surf Fishing Classic
Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce
265 West 9th Street, Ship Bottom NJ 08008

First it was called Striped Bass Derby, then it became the Long Beach Island Surf Fishing Tournament. Now it's the Long Beach Island Surf Fishing Classic. No matter you call it, it's one of the longest running fishing contest on the east coast. The tournament has been a lure to Long Beach Island for more than a half century. 

More than 950 anglers registered in 2006 to compete for thousands of dollars in daily, weekly, segment and grand prizes for striped bass and bluefish caught from the shores of Long Beach Island. The 2007 tournament starts at 5 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 6 and ends at 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18.

Ocean, inlets, bay and jetties are the proving grounds for hooking the biggest bluefish over the 30-inch minimum length and for the largest striped bass over 34 inches.

The six-week tournament takes over as summer has ebbed and the fall air whips the waves. Just offshore, striped bass are passing through and bluefish are snapping up the bait fish that pop the surface in a dead giveaway to the fishermen and quite a few fisherwomen onshore. Standing high on the food chain, anglers from 8 to 80 are caught up in tourney fever.

It’s relaxation for some, frenzy for others; but the expectation is almost breathable. Every day brings possibility of prizes that dangle like irresistible lures.

Grand prize for the largest striped bass and largest bluefish entered in the tournament is $1,000 cash each. Many other segment, weekend, weekly and daily prizes are presented by tourney sponsors, said the chamber’s tournament organizing committee chairman, Frank Panzone. Businesses, fishing clubs, tackle shops, sponsors, and even tournament participants contribute cash and prizes.

“Everybody can get involved in the action, because there are special categories for juveniles, ladies and senior citizens,” added Cuff. For instance, there are six juvenile prizes, each a weekly $100 cash award for the largest striped bass.

Ray Sullivan, of Brant Beach, hasn’t missed the tournament in more years than he can recall. “I’ve always lived for fishing, number one,” he said. “There’s a lot of camaraderie with all the guys that fish, and it’s just pretty neat, the whole scenario – catching fish, especially.”

Last year, the tourney tallied 277 bluefish weigh-ins and 204 striped bass. Brian Dalton of Tabernacle NJ took the top prize in the bluefish category with a 17 pound 14 ounce blue.  Larry Weidner of Beach Haven weighed in the top striper, at 42 pounds, 10 ounces.

“You’re always hoping for the big one,” said Sullivan, adding, “I haven’t gotten him yet, but I’m still looking.” Typical of tourney hits and misses, Sullivan has both been next to guys who caught 48-pounders while he could only watch -- and on the other hand, “I’ve been the only one catching fish, and there’d be guys on the other side of me that weren’t catching fish.”

What makes the difference?

“That’s why they call it fishin’,” the longtime derby entrant surmised. “It’s just the way it is, that’s all. You’ve got to be at the right place at the right time.”

The right time can often be at daybreak and at dusk. A few tourney regulars frequently fish all night long. Then there are others who simply get lucky.

“Frequently the big winners are the people you really don’t see that much,” observed Jay Mann, local newspaper fishing columnist and a member of the tournament organizing committee. “We even had winners who decided the last weekend of the tournament that they wanted to be in it and they ended up winning prize money.”

Mann continued, “There are a handful of regulars who join the tourney annually and fish every day. But more often it’s the guy who can only make it down for a Sunday or a Wednesday. He’s in the tourney and he has to put his whole ball of fishing wax into the few days that he gets there. The locals don’t always run into these guys, but they’re fishing just as intently.”

Quite a few women get into the swing of the angling season. Joanne Sullivan, married to Ray for 31 years, came out every day of the tournament last year. “In the rain, in the storms, everything.”

Motivations of the female gender vary from the competitor to the hobbyist to the interested angling spouse’s better half. “I wanted to be with him and see what it was like,” Joanne Sullivan said.

“It’s not as easy as what people think,” she found, talking about the first fish she ever caught, experienced as part of last year’s tournament. Landing it first required her husband to grab the rod that the bluefish’s snapping impact drug into the water. “It was only 10 pounds; it didn’t win a prize, but you know what? That first fish that you catch will make you a believer,” Joanne declared.

“There are a lot of women in the tournament and they do really well; and I see a lot of young couples. I think it’s nice that they go out with their husbands.”

It’s no surprise that the tournament boosts the barrier island’s off-season economy.

“A lot of anglers use their vacation time to come to the island,” said Cuff. “They’ll rent a house for a week or two. I know some families that will rent for the entire tournament.”

The Long Beach Island Surf Fishing Tournament has generous sponsorship from AFW (American Fishing Wire), Penn Reels, Hi-Seas line, and The Fisherman magazine.

For more information call the chamber at the above number, or see http://www.lbift.com.

Registration forms are available at the Chamber of Commerce office, 265 W. 9th St., Ship Bottom, or at the five weigh-in stations: Barnegat Light Bait & Tackle, 1501 Bayview Ave., Barnegat Light; Fisherman’s Headquarters, 280 W. 9th St., Ship Bottom; Oceanside Bait & Tackle, 8201 Long Beach Blvd., Brighton Beach; Jingles’ Bait & Tackle Shop, 1214 Long Beach Blvd., Beach Haven; and Surf City Bait and Tackle, 317 Long Beach Blvd., Surf City.

Registration is $25 for adults (age 19 and older) and $15 for students (age 18 and younger). The first 1,000 entrants receive a souvenir 2007 Long Beach Island Surf Fishing Classic hat; a coupon for a free exterior car wash presented by Manahawkin Magic Wash; and a coupon for a free slice of Panzone’s cheese pizza presented by Panzone’s Pizza, Surf City.

Meet at 9:00 a.m. at  the Chamber of Commerce on 9^th Street in Ship Bottom for door prizes, coffee, and bagels, then join us at the Ship Bottom Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1 Station on 21^st Street and Central Avenue in Ship Bottom where the Surf City Anglers, a local fishing club, will generously share their knowledge of surf fishing equipment, surf casting, bait, driving a 4x4 vehicle on the beach, and much more.  Weather permitting, we will then proceed to the 9^th Street Ship Bottom ocean beach for hands-on instruction.  Please bring a folding chair for your comfort on the beach. There’s a special prize drawing at the conclusion of the seminar. You must be present to win.  

Pre-registration is required for this free seminar. Call the Chamber of Commerce, (609) 494-7211 x100 or (800) 292-6372 x 100, to register.

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