Youth Education Report

I spoke to Liz Jackson, DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife and she informed us of the following:

1. New Jersey HOFNOD facilitator training is in the process of being updated as an online training.
2. A winner was selected for the NJ Hooked on Fishing not on Drugs new logo design contest.
3. The DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife NJ Fishing Challenge is scheduled for Saturday, June 5, 2021. NJ HOFNOD will support fishing teams at the Governor’s Surf Fishing Tournament. Visit their website at: NJ Fish & Wildlife. If you are interested in attending a NJ HOFNOD workshop, please phone or email Liz Jackson, NJ HOFNOD Coordinator Phone: 908-637-4125 x122 email: liz.jackson@dep.state.nj.us
4. Youth Fishing Challenge - The Hooked-on Fishing-Not on Drugs Program's Youth Fishing Challenge is a statewide event to promote fishing among youths and their families. It is being held on the first of the state's two Free Fishing Days, Saturday, June 5, when no license is required to fish regardless of age. For more information and to register your group location visit: Youth Fishing Challenge.

Share your photo campaign! New Jersey Fish and Wildlife is offering a good opportunity to share your photo on the NJ Fish and Wildlife website. Taking pictures of the outdoors and memorable moments is part of an outdoor experience. Share the beauty of what you witness on your outdoor adventures. Read about how to submit your photos. Full details can be found at this link.

The 30th Annual Governor’s Surf Fishing Tournament (GSFT) will be held at Island Beach State Park on Sunday, May 23, 2021. Get ready to enter the largest surf fishing tournament along the Jersey Shore. Don’t miss a day of family fishing fun! Pick up a brochure about the tournament at Island Beach State Park or at your favorite tackle dealer. Remember admission to the park is FREE for the tournament.

Tournament officials and sponsoring organizations are excited about the 30-year anniversary and are looking forward to another successful event. This year, Yamaha Motors has joined us to setup an outdoor booth to support the tournament and provide items for the high school and NJ HOFNOD fishing teams.

This is the time to start preparing your fish catching strategies so that you can catch a trophy fish that will win the 2021 Governor’s Surf Fishing Tournament and win PRIZES. If you catch the largest fish, your name will be inscribed on the Governor’s Cup, with previous winners and displayed at the IBSP for all to see. High school fishing clubs, along with other school-based fishing teams, will have a chance to win the high school team competition trophy and it will be on display.

We would like to remind our physically challenged anglers that there is an area at OBA 1 with beach wheelchairs available. Anglers that are not able to walk in the sand can now get to the water and try surf fishing. The JCAA Youth Education Committee is helping novice and physically challenged anglers at the Governor's Surf Fishing Tournament. World Jeep – Chrysler – Dodge - Ram, Shrewsbury, NJ will assist physically challenged anglers with a NEW 2021 4x4 VIP vehicle to transport anglers that will be fishing the reserved area in front of OBA 1. Members of the Vietnam Veterans of America (Chapter 12) and volunteer anglers from various fishing clubs will also assist physically challenged anglers. If you know a disabled veteran or angler that would like to fish the tournament, please phone Greg K at 732-785-9278 or email gkucharews@jcaa.org.