The 22nd Annual Governor's Surf Fishing Tournament was held on Sunday October 6 at Island Beach State Park. A foggy morning greeted anglers as they descended upon the beach hoping to catch the largest fish of the day. Overall, twenty-one fish were entered in the bluefish, kingfish and blackfish categories.

NJ DEP Assistant Commissioner of Natural and Historic Resources Richard Boornazian was on site to greet tournament participants and to take part in the awards ceremony. Barry South of Morrisville, Pennsylvania, took the grand prize and NJ Governor's Cup by catching an 18 1/2" bluefish. Mr. South received two rod-and-reel combinations, a plaque, and will have his name engraved on the Governor's Cup, which is permanently on display at Island Beach State Park.

In addition to the grand prize, twelve anglers received rod and reel combinations for their prize-winning fish in the various species categories.

Everyone who registered for the tournament was entered into a raffle drawing, which was held prior to the awards ceremony, and pre-registrant entrants were entered into a raffle to win a Surf Rocket, which is a specially designed compressed air casting cannon.

Overall fish length determined the grand prize winner, as well as place winners for each of the species categories. 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 New Jersey Beach Buggy Association.

More than $130,000 has been raised since the inception of the tournament for conservation and education projects and improved beach access.

A complete list of winners follows:

2013 Governor's Surf Fishing Tournament Results

KINGFISH CATEGORY

Teen (Female)
First Place - Alyssa Kuryluck, Bensalem, PA 15 ¼"

Adult (Female)
First Place - Lindsey Nordaby, Mays Landing, NJ 13 ¼"
Second Place - Audrey Estelow-Bock, Florence, NJ 10"

Adult (Male)
First Place - John Hagaman, Egg Harbor City, NJ 14 3/4"
Second Place - Frank Bodner, Piscataway, NJ 14 3/8"
Third Place - Nathan Hagaman, Egg Harbor City, NJ 13 ½"

BLACKFISH CATEGORY

Adult (Male)
First Place - Zoltan Egyed, Trenton, NJ 18"
Second Place - Robert Campi, Flemington, NJ 17 1/8"
Third Place - Larry Margiotta, Theills, NY 15"

BLUEFISH CATEGORY

Teen (Male)
First Place - Jeffrey Hawksworth, Atco, NJ 16¾"

Adult (Male)
First Place - Barry South, Morrisville, PA 18½" caught 6:45 a.m.
Second Place - Douglas Ralph, Jr., Jackson, NJ 18½" caught 12:20 p.m.
Third Place - Robert Nielse, Flanders, NJ 18 1/8" caught at 6:45 a.m.