Sharks Reign Supreme At Ocean City Fishing Club Tournament

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Sharks reigned supreme at the Ocean City Fishing Club's 51st Invitational Surf Fishing Tournament. Fishers landed 107 sharks in the first-two hour session and beached 17 more.

“We just couldn’t get other types of fish to cooperate,” said Bob Dever, OCFC head judge for the tournament. “Conditions were great — clean water, high tide and a light breeze at the start. But hardly anything other than shark to catch.”

Most of the sharks caught were spiny dogfish.

The largest bluefish caught was 14 inches. Chris Dugan landed the creature, taking top prize in largest overall fish and in the men's division. Dugan and other RH Custom Rods Team B members took home third place club honors with 22.25 points.

South Jersey Fish Casters finished first in the team category with 57.25 points. RH Custom Rods Team A placed second with 35. Anglers and teams earned points by the species of fish they caught. Although a couple striped bass were landed, they didn't meet the 28-inch minimum required to earn points.

Rob Rinier, a South Jersey Surf Casters member, won two individual categories: most fish points overall and most fish points in the men’s division, with 33.25 points for each.

Lynda Greaves, a member of RH Custom Rods Team B, took home a plaque for most fish points for women, with a total of three. She topped that category last year too.

First place for individual angler with most points went to Bob Kernan, with three, while Lynn Del-Pietropalo and Bob Schlear tied for second in that category, each with one point.

Ryan O’Connell won top prizes in the age 14-17 youth category for largest fish, a shark that earned him one point, and most fish points, with four. His brother, Dylan, received an award in the youth-assisted group for largest fish and most fish points for landing a shark, each earning him one point.

Ed Parkinson, OCFC tournament chairman, praised the kids and the Intermediate School Fishing Club team, led by advisor Nick Verducci.

“They are the next generation who will join our clubs and carry on where we leave off,” he said. “It’s great to have them come out and participate and we look forward to seeing more youngsters in the future."

Sue Kent, who just moved here a year ago from Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, had her own inaugural adventure under unusual circumstances.

Kent drove her SUV onto the beach after being last to register for the tournament at the Primary School. Her vehicle became stuck in the soft sand as she neared her assigned fishing position. Undeterred, she loaded her gear to get a line in the water and the called police for help.

Kent also phoned OCFC tournament officials at the Primary School, which served as headquarters for the event, also were alerted to her predicament. Club members Dan Moore and Augie Conte III arrived to shovel sand away from the wheels so it could be pulled out with a truck, but the first effort failed.

Dever left his judging duties momentarily to help other club members with another truck, but that effort failed too. Finally, Parkinson arrived on the scene with his SUV and freed the stuck vehicle. It was towed off the beach, allowing Kent to resume fishing.

Kent overcame the dire circumstances, catching an 8-inch bluefish with a rod and reel she bought from Walmart the previous night. Though she didn’t win any prize, Parkinson noted her dedication at the awards presentations.

“I just want to thank the club members and Officer Anthony of the police department who came out to help get my vehicle out of the sand,” Kent said. “I’ll be back next year, but without all the drama.”

Founded in 1913, the OCFC is the oldest, continuously operating fishing club in the United States.

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