October 11, 2002

More than 1,200 participants took part in the Governor's 11th Annual Surf Fishing Tournament on Sunday, October 6 at Island Beach State Park in Ocean County. Despite the high winds, participants took full advantage of a beautiful day outdoors with family and friends.

"I would like to thank the many prize sponsors, volunteers and participants who have helped make the surf tournament a success for more than ten years," said New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell. "Their cumulative efforts have helped raise over $90,000 for a variety of conservation projects such as the construction of a beach access ramp, two mobile fishing education carts and specialized wheelchairs for the disabled and elderly."

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 ten years, 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 Island Beach State Park (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 projects such as the Barnegat Bay Kayak Tour and Environmental Education Enhancement Program, Hooked on Fishing- Not on Drugs (HOFNOD) program, Pathways to Fishing program, DEP's Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program, and the Sedge Island Natural Resource Education Center.

Approximately 700 participants pre-registered through the mail and over 500 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 to over 1,400.

Albacore, striped bass, blackfish, bluefish, red drum, kingfish and weakfish were eligible for entry in the tournament. Of these, 6 striped bass, 5 blackfish, 102 bluefish, 1 red drum, 1 weakfish and 61 kingfish were the species submitted. A total of 176 fish were caught with 30 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. 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 Pete Clavero of Hazlet for a 44" striped bass. Mr. Clavero received a plaque along with a Penn rod and reel combo. Additionally, his name will be engraved on the Governor's Cup, which will be permanently displayed at Island Beach State Park.

Thirty surf rod and reel outfits were awarded as prizes. DEP Commissioner Bradley Campbell was present to make the awards to the successful anglers.

Included in the prizes were six rod and reel combinations donated by Penn Reels. Along with the 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:

Weakfish Category
										
Adult (Female)					
					
First Place - Audrey Bock		Florence	21 4/8" weakfish		
										
Kingfish Category

Child (Female)					
					
First Place - Ashley Gruning	Jackson	14 6/8" kingfish		
					
 Child (Male)
					
Second Place - Matthew Klish	Burlington	14 6/8" kingfish		
					
First Place - Eddie Fisher		Somerdale	15 4/8" kingfish		
Also caught 151/8" kingfish				

Teen (Female)					
					
First Place - Giacinta Talarico	Westmont	11 2/8" kingfish		
					
Teen (Male)
					
Second Place - Dakota Goldinger	Toms River	14" kingfish		
					
First Place - Joe Meny		Bowie,  MD	14 2/8"" kingfish		
Also caught 13 6/8" kingfish				

Adult (Female)					

Second Place - Patty Talarico	Blue Anchor	14 6/8" kingfish		
					
First Place - Mary Howard		Browns Mills	15 2/8" kingfish		
					
Adult (Male)		
			
Second Place - Gary Ingram	Trenton	16" kingfish		
					
First Place - Frank Oliveira	Newark	16 4/8" kingfish		
					
Blackfish Category
					
Adult (Male)
					
Second Place - Brian Berrien	Mercerville	17" blackfish		
					
First Place - Zoltan Egyed		Trenton	18 1/2" blackfish		
										
Red drum Category
			
Adult (Male)				
					
First Place - Terry Dauson		Trenton	18 7/8" red drum

 Bluefish Category  
				
Child (Female)
					
Second Place - Taylor Arkert	Riverside  	15 1/2" bluefish		
						
First Place - Helene Rynczak	Whiting	16 5/8" bluefish		
Also caught  16 1/8" and 15 4/8" blue fish				

Child (Male)					

Second Place - Ethan Orr		Branchville	17 2/8" bluefish		
					
First Place - Russell Hubschman	Vincentown	23 1/2"  bluefish		
					
Teen (Female)					
					
First Place - Gina Longstreet	Toms River	16 4/8" bluefish		
					
Teen (Male)
					
Second Place - Chris Giambrone	Florence	30" bluefish		
					
First Place - Jesse Gargani		Beachwood	30 4/8" bluefish		
					
Adult (Female)
					
Second Place - Renee Runyan	Toms River	17 1/8" bluefish		
					
First Place - Sue Finch		Ironia	17 5/8" bluefish		
					
Adult (Male)		
			
Second Place - Lee Dippold	Toms River	31 7/8" bluefish		
					
First Place - George Rogers	Bricktown	32 1/2"  bluefish

Striped Bass Category

Child (Female)					
					
First Place - Megan Sharkey	Forked River	29" Striped bass	

Adult (Male)

Second Place - William Fest III	Southampton	30 6/8" striped bass

First Place - Norb Rosso		Lambertville	34 7/8" Striped bass		
					
The 2002 Governor's Cup Winner 

Pete Clavero 		Hazlet 	44" striped bass					

Tournament Fly Fishing Category Winner 
 
Mike Busch   		Ocean Gate 		16 2/8" Bluefish

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