More than 1,200 participants took part in the Governor's Sixth Annual Surf Fishing Tournament on Sunday, October 5 at Island Beach State Park in Ocean County. Sunshine and unseasonably warm temperatures allowed participants to take advantage of a beautiful autumn day outdoors with family and friends.
"I would like to thank the many sponsors, prize donators and participants who have helped make the surf tournament a success for the past six years," said division Director Bob McDowell. "Their cumulative efforts have helped raise nearly $50,000 for the construction of a beach access ramp and specialized wheelchairs for the disabled and elderly."
The event was sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Fish, Game 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.
Response to the tournament was excellent. Individuals from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York, Massachusetts and even Texas attempted to try their luck at surf fishing.
More than 1,200 people registered; the highest participation since the tournament began in 1992. Approximately 800 pre-registered through the mail and more than 400 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 about 1,500.
Albacore, striped bass, blackfish, bluefish, red drum, fluke, kingfish and weakfish were eligible for entry in the tournament. Of these, fluke, albacore, blackfish, weakfish and bluefish were the species submitted.
Overall length determined the grand prize winner as well as place winners for each of the species categories. This year, there were children, teen and adult categories for many of the species submitted, including sub-categories for male and female. The inclusion of first, second and third place winners was dependent on the number of entries submitted in each species category.
Grand prize went to Ron Butkiewicz of Plainfield, New Jersey for a 34 4/16" bluefish. Butkiewicz received the Governor's Trophy along with a rod and reel combination for his outstanding catch. Additionally, his name will be engraved on the Governor's Cup, which will be permanently displayed at Island Beach State Park.
Other winners received a variety of donated fishing tackle and gear. 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:
Joe Rosetti (12 yrs. old)
Bloomfield, NJ
16 5/8" Blackfish
Arlene Parrino
Middletown, NJ
17 3/4" Blackfish (also caught a 17" blackfish)
Joseph KennettSecond Place
Jackson, NJ
15" Blackfish
Thomas DiAlfonsoFirst Place
Hillsboro, NJ
15 1/2" Blackfish
Claus Faller
Beachwood, NJ
16 1/4" Blackfish
Jesse James Lockowitz (8 yrs. old)First Place
Toms River, NJ
14 1/2" Fluke
Steven Senese, Jr. (9 yrs. old)
Rochelle Park, NJ
15 1/2" Fluke
Jenny Stumpe (7 yrs. old)
East Stroudsburg, PA
17" Fluke
Rob Messina (15 yrs. old)Second Place
Howell, NJ
15 1/2" Fluke
Tommy Stehn (15 yrs. old)First Place
Aberdeen, NJ
16 1/4" Fluke
Ronald Butkiewicz (16 yrs. old)NOTE: Ronald's father is this year's winner of the Governor's Cup!
Plainfield, NJ
16 3/4" Fluke
Linda CafoneSecond Place
Wall, NJ
14 11/16" Fluke
Rosemarie SuellinsFirst Place
Hopelawn, NJ
14 12/16" Fluke
Kathy Lockowitz
Toms River, NJ
15 8/16" Fluke
Tom CocuranSecond Place
Freehold, NJ
17" Fluke (caught at 7:30 a.m.)
Michael WilkFirst Place
Bound Brook, NJ
17" Fluke (caught at 6:50 a.m.)
Eric RochaNOTE: In the event of a tie, time of catch was used to separate place winners.
South River, NJ
18" Fluke
Frank Caggiano
Beachwood, NJ
26 2/16" Albacore
Rick BateskoFirst Place
Whiting, NJ
15" Weakfish
Steve Schon
Toms River, NJ
17" Weakfish
Elizabeth Dugan (9 yrs. old)First Place
Toms River, NJ
15 4/16" Bluefish
Gabrielle Grasso (5 yrs. old)
Nutley, NJ
15 8/16" Bluefish (also caught a 15 4/16" bluefish)
Vincent DiMarco (6 yrs. old)Second Place
Jamesburg, NJ
17 12/16" Bluefish
Danny Petrino (9 yrs. old)First Place
Hamilton Square, NJ
18 8/16" Bluefish (caught at 9:20 a.m.)
Joshua Yusko (8 yrs. old)NOTE: In the event of a tie, time of catch was used to separate place winners.
Trenton, NJ
18 8/16" Bluefish (caught at 8:40 a.m.)
Jennifer Wallach
Morrisville, PA
14" Bluefish
Bill Kuryluk (15 yrs. old)First Place
Bensalem, PA
17 6/16" Bluefish
Peter Meny (17 yrs. old)
Summit, NJ
19" Bluefish
Linda CafoneSecond Place
Wall, NJ
15" Bluefish
Karen HersheyFirst Place
Island Heights, NJ
15 4/16" Bluefish
Francine Kaplan
Island Heights, NJ
16 4/16" Bluefish
Brian UpdykeSecond Place
Waretown, NJ
22 8/16" Bluefish
Bill Trulby
Beachwood, NJ
30 5/16" Bluefish
Ron ButkiewiczNOTE: Ron's son won first place in the teen boy's category for fluke!
Plainfield, NJ
34 4/16" Bluefish