Toms River Man Wins Governor's Cup Fishing Tournament

(Dakota Hahn holds the Governor's Cup, which goes to the angler who catches the largest fish at the annual Governor's Surf Fishing Tournament. Photo courtesy of the N.J. Division of Fish and Wildlife)

ISLAND BEACH STATE PARK, NJ -- A Toms River man has been crowned the champion of the 25th annual Governor's Surf Fishing Tournament, held Sunday at Island Beach State Park.

Dakota Hahn of Toms River landed the grand prize when he caught a 43.5-inch striped bass, the largest of 245 fish caught in the tournament, which had about 600 anglers from all over New Jersey as well as out of state competing, according to the state Division of Fish and Wildlife.

Four other Toms River residents -- Mackenzie Gordon, Thomas Heffelfinger, Shanna Hudler and Kaitlyn Bach -- and a Beachwood man, Keith Scharago, won prizes for their bluefish catches in the tournament.

Also honored at the event were two men who have been key supporters of the park and the tournament, Paul Smith and Ray Bukowski.

Smith was the treasurer of the Governor's Surf Fishing Tournament until he stepped down recently and had been involved in the tournament since its inception. Smith also is a past president of the Jersey Coast Anglers Association.

Bukowski, the NJDEP's assistant commissioner for compliance and enforcement and a Brick Township native, was previously the manager at Island Beach State Park. Bukowski was honored by the New Jersey Beach Buggy Association, which provides the judges for the tournament along with a lot of other volunteer help, for his support and hard work in restoring Island Beach State Park after Superstorm Sandy. He received a plaque and was made an Honorary NJBBA Lifetime Member.

Hahn, who posted a photo of the striper about 7:30 a.m. Sunday on his Facebook page, said the fish weighed 30 pounds and was caught on a chunk of bunker (also known as menhaden).

As the grand prize winner, Hahn received two fishing rod-and-reel combinations, one of which was a 2016 TICA rod; a pair of Costa Del Mar sunglasses and a plaque. His name also will join the 24 names that have preceded his on the Governor's Cup, which is permanently on display at Island Beach State Park.

The tournament began in 1992 and from 1992 until 2013 was held the first Sunday in October. In 2014, the tournament was moved to the third Sunday in May. Some years the governor has made an appearance at the tournament; on Sunday, Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno was on hand for part of the festivities, which included music played by NJ 101.5 at the tournament headquarters, which is the bathing pavilion at the main bathing beach.

The news release from the division said bluefish blitzes made for a great day of fishing. DEP Commissioner Bob Martin along with DEP Natural and Historic Resources Assistant Commissioner Rich Boornazian assisted with the awards ceremony.

In addition to the grand prize, 19 anglers received fishing rod-and-reel combinations for their prize-winning fish in the striped bass and bluefish categories. Winners are determined by the length of the fish.

There were categories for children, teen and adult anglers, including sub-categories for male and female anglers. The event was sponsored by the NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife and Division of Parks and Forestry, the New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs, the Jersey Coast Anglers Association, and the NJ Beach Buggy Association. In addition, prizes were donated by Costa Del Mar Inc., Chestnut Neck Boat Yard, Fish and Wildlife's Hooked on Fishing - Not on Drugs Program, Jenkinson's Aquarium, Legal Limits, Manns Bait Company, Silver Horde, and Stanley Jigs, and Bass Pro Shops.

All funds raised by the tournament go toward a variety of good causes, including the purchase of specialized wheelchairs that provide the disabled and elderly beach access, construction of access ramps for disabled saltwater anglers, surf fishing instruction programs and equipment, and marine education and restoration projects.

More than $130,000 has been raised since the inception of the tournament.

The full list of 2016 winners follows. Winners are determined by the length of the fish measured from the tip of the closed mouth to the fork of the tail, with ties broken based on the time the fish was caught.

BLUEFISH
Child (Male)
First Place - Caden Michalski, Edison, 36 inches
Second Place - Nathan Schwarz, Westchester, Pa., 34.5
Third Place - Allen Magre, Haskell, 34.25
Child (Female)
First Place - Jacklyn Janiec, Bloomingdale, 32.5
Second Place - Mackenzie Gordon, Toms River, 32 at 8:55 a.m.
Third Place - Olivia Boris, McDonald, Pa., 32 at 10:45 a.m.
Teen (Male)
First Place - Aiden (AJ) Elmore, Little Egg Harbor, 38
Second Place - Eric Mayers, Cranbury, 36
Third Place - Thomas Heffelfinger, Toms River, 34
Teen (Female)
First Place - Savanna Rodriguez, Reading, Pa., 36
Second Place - Shanna Hudler, Toms River, 30.5
Adult (Male)
First Place - Justin Barbier, Woodland Park, 39.5
Second Place - Keith Scharago, Beachwood, 38 at 7:15 a.m.
Third Place - Brandon Hewitt, Little Egg Harbor, 38 at 8:05 a.m.
Adult (Female)
First Place - Kaitlyn Bach, Toms River, 37 at 7:35 a.m.
Second Place - Donna McConnell, Somerset, 37 at 11:10 a.m.
Third Place - Alyssa DiMarco, Delran, 36-5/8

STRIPED BASS
Adult (Male)
First Place - Dakota Hahn, Toms River, 43.5
Second Place - Rich Bergman, Atco, 38.75
Third Place - Zoltan Eayed, Trenton, 31.5

*Only three striped bass were entered. Striped bass must be a minimum of 28 inches to qualify.