Over 950 anglers were greeted by a beautiful day at Island Beach State Park in Ocean County on Sunday, October 7th for the 16th Annual Governor's Surf Fishing Tournament. The warm waters and summer-like weather made for an enjoyable day, while contestants caught bluefish, kingfish, striped bass, and blackfish.

This year twenty-one participants received prizes for their catches, but the grand prize went to Martin Mosen of Collingswood, with a 37 3/8-inch striped bass. DEP Commissioner Lisa P. Jackson and Jersey Coast Anglers Association President John Toth congratulated Mr. Mosen with the Governor’s Cup, a plaque and two rod-and-reel combinations. Overall fish length determines the grand prize winner as well as winners for each of the species competitions. There were categories for children, teens, and adult anglers, including sub-categories for male and female anglers. The first, second and third place winners are determined by the number of entries submitted in each species category. If two fish of the same species and size are entered, then time determines the winner. The funds raised by this tournament go towards the purchase of specialized wheelchairs that provide the disabled and elderly beach access, surf fishing instruction programs and equipment, marine education and restoration efforts, and surf fishing access. This annual tournament creates a great opportunity to learn more about the sport of surf fishing and take advantage of some of the natural resources New Jersey has to offer.

Martin Mosen with Governor's Cup Click to enlarge

The DEP’s Division of Fish and Wildlife would like to thank the following companies and organizations for their donations that help make this tournament a success: Cape May-Lewes Ferry, Eagle Claw Fishing Tackle Company, Fisherman Eyewear, Grumpy’s Tackle, Jenkinsons Aquarium, L & H Woods and Water, Legal Limits Company, Manns Bait Company, O Mustad & Son, Inc., Silver Horde, Sportsman’s Center, Stanley Jigs, Inc., TTI-Blakemore Fishing Group, Wetlands Institute, and Trenton Devil’s. Also special thanks to Quantum for donating thirty rod and reel combos.

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

A complete list of winners follows:

Kingfish Category
Adult (Male)
Third Place – David Martin, Lake Hiawatha, 11" caught 9:50 am
Second Place – Gary Petrie, Seaside Park; 11" caught 8:10 am
First Place – Ed Suchy, Hatboro, PA, 11½"

Blackfish Category
Adult (Male)
Third Place – Claus Fuller, Beachwood, 16"
Second Place – Zoltan Egyed, Trenton, 18¼"
First Place – Hector Valdes, Toms River,19½"

Bluefish Category
Child (Female)
First Place – Claire Abdill, Delran, 14¼"

Child (Male)
Third Place – Noah Marcus, Berkeley Hegiths, 16¼"
Second Place – Troy Laureigh, Bayville, 16½"
First Place – Dylan Cafone and Bailey Cafone, Collegeville, PA, 22 3/8"

Teen (Female)
Second Place – Mary Ruth Hart, Manassass, VA, 14 1/8"
First Place – Dana Demiduke, Pitman, 16¾"

Teen (Male) Third Place – Thomas Sweeney, Beachwood, 15 7/8"
Second Place – Bryan Keyes, Milltown, 16½"
First Place – Nolan Jones, Warminster, PA, 17¾"

Adult (Male)
Third Place – Jay Jayanty, Jersey City, 18"
Second Place – Jerry Talarico, Sicklerville, 20 1/8"
First Place – Greg Manning, Wall Twp., 21½"

Striped Bass Category
Adult (Male)
Second Place – John Hagaman, Egg Harbor City, 28"

First Place – Martin Mosen, Collingswood, 37 3/8" 2007 Governor’s Cub Winner