Governor Phil Murphy • Lt.Governor Tahesha Way
NJ Home | Services A to Z | Departments/Agencies | FAQs  
State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
DEP Home | About DEP | Index by Topic | Programs/Units | DEP Online 
news releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 7, 2003

Contact: Jack Kaskey
(609) 984-1795

DEP Commissioner and Governor McGreevey Celebrate Surf Fishing at Annual Tournament

(03/143) TRENTON --- Governor James E. McGreevey presided over the Governor's 12th Annual Surf Fishing Tournament on Sunday as an 11-year-old from Ocean County took top honors from a field of more than 1,000 participants.

Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell joined McGreevey in thanking the many prize sponsors, volunteers and participants who helped make the day a success. The governor also announced the raffle and tournament winners, awarded prizes and posed for pictures with the winners and their families.

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

During the past 12 years more than $90,000 has been raised for conservation efforts in and around Island Beach State Park (IBSP). The following have been either partially or fully funded by proceeds from this tournament: specialized balloon tire beach wheel chairs that provide beach access for the disabled and elderly at IBSP; educational displays used 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 including Hooked on Fishing- Not on Drugs and Becoming an Outdoors-Woman.

Approximately 700 participants pre-registered through the mail and more than 300 registered on the morning of the tournament. Many of the entrants invited guests to observe the fun, bringing the total number of spectators and participants gathered at Island Beach State Park to more than 1,200.

Albacore, striped bass, blackfish, bluefish, red drum, kingfish, fluke and weakfish were eligible for entry in the tournament. Of these, 9 striped bass, 4 blackfish, 17 bluefish, 4 kingfish and 4 fluke were the species submitted. A total of 38 fish were caught with 24 of these receiving awards.

Overall length determined the grand prize winner as well as place winners for each of the species categories. There were children, teen and adult angler categories, including sub-categories for male and female anglers. In addition, there was a category for fly-fishing, though no entries were received. The inclusion of first, second and third place winners was dependent upon the number of entries submitted in each species category.

Grand prize went to 11-year-old Travis Laureigh of Bayville who caught a 35 ½-inch striped bass with a plug. The youngster received a 10-foot custom made monogrammed rod from Seeker Rods plus a plugging rod and reel set from New Dolphin Bait and Tackle. Additionally, his name will be engraved on the Governor's Cup, which will be permanently displayed at Island Beach State Park.

Along with the many tournament prizes offered, the registration forms of pre-registrants and same-day entrants were placed into special drawings for additional prizes. A complete list of winners follows:

  • Blackfish Category
    Child (Female)
    First Place - Claire Addill Delran 17"

    Adult (Male)
    Third Place - Claus Faller Beachwood 15 7/8"
    Second Place - Alex Vegh Trenton 16 5/8"
    First Place - Zoltan Egyed Trenton 18 3/8"

  • Bluefish Category
    Child (Female)
    First Place - Rebecca Ramos Jersey City 21 3/8"

    Teen (Male)
    First Place - Justin Buckalew New Egypt 16 ½"

    Adult (Female)
    Second Place - Dorothy Harrison Wayne 16"
    First Place - Jacklyn Warhol Fallsington, PA 17 5/8"

    Adult (Male)
    Third Place - Dave Devisscher Upper Black Eddy,PA 19 ½"
    Second Place - Gary Gromack Lakewood 32 ½"
    First Place - Ed Keyes Milltown 33 ¼"

  • Fluke Category
    Teen (Male)
    First Place - Matt Camp Gloucester 16 ½"

    Adult (Male)
    Third Place - Tom Novack New Castle, DE 17 3/8"
    Second Place - Victor Gasinski Fieldsboro 18"
    First Place - Chuck Hartobey South River 18 7/8"

  • Kingfish Category
    Child (Female)
    First Place - Samantha Silva Edison 13 ½"

    Child (Male)
    First Place - Vincent Altimari Tabernacle 13 3/8"

    Adult (Male)
    Second Place - Joseph Wilson Hackettstown 14 ½"
    First Place - Raymond Slovinsky Whiting 16 1/8"

  • Striped Bass Category
    Child (Female)
    First Place - Camille Seefelt Hamilton 32 7/8"

    Adult (Male)
    Third Place - David Hendricks Toms River 31"
    Second Place - Sheldon Kay Califon 32"
    First Place - Edgardo Espiritu Hillsborough 33 ½"

  • The 2003 Governor's Cup Winner
    Travis Laureigh Bayville 35 ½"

 

###

EDITORS NOTE: A digital photo of the 2003 Governor's Cup winner receiving the award from the Governor is available by e-mailing Jim Sciascia at jim.sciascia@dep.state.nj.us.

 

Related Links

 

 

News Releases: DEP News Home | Archives
Department: NJDEP Home | About DEP | Index by Topic | Programs/Units | DEP Online
Statewide: NJ Home | Services A to Z | Departments/Agencies | FAQs

Copyright © State of New Jersey, 1996-2024

Last Updated:

Last Updated: July 15, 2010