HOWELL – The Monmouth County Parks hosted a two-day fishing derby recently. The annual event was held at two locations on two different days. The Manasquan Reservoir was the first host location with Turkey Swamp Park in Freehold being the next day.
According to the Monmouth County Parks website, the events were for both beginners and experienced anglers alike. The days festivities included a free hands-on fishing clinic before the event on both days. This is designed to help introduce new anglers to the sport of fishing, or to help tune-up any anglers who felt a little rusty.
Event registration cost was $34 for a family of 4 or $10 per person, per day, which included and a container of worms. Fishing poles were also available to rent for $5 with limited availability. Prizes were awarded for the “longest fish in three different categories,” according to their website. Pre-registration was recommended.
The Manasquan Reservoir was the first stop for the fishing derby. Located in Howell, the reservoir is a prime location for catching wide variety of fish. With stocked fish including large and small-mouth bass, hybrid striped bass, tiger muskie, bullhead catfish and panfish species, the reservoir is a great place to learn how to catch any of these fish.
The fishing clinic was hosted by the Parks Staff for an hour before the derby. At the clinic, anglers were taught how to rig a fishing pole while also learning how to properly cast a fishing line. Once they got the hang of it, they were encouraged to test their new skills on the water, with the official fishing derby starting at 2pm and ending at 5pm.
Ann Marie Osnato, Recreation Program Specialist for the Monmouth County Park System, spoke about the history of the fishing derby. “It started 20 years ago, and it was a great idea to try to get people up fishing with their families,” said Osnato. “In the beginning the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife had established it as the ‘no license needed weekend’ (for Father’s Day). Since then, it’s changed. So, what the county does is we acquire a group fishing license so if they’re registered with us during the event, they don’t need a license.”
Osnato, who was at both event days, spoke about the fishing clinic before the derby. “We run a free fishing clinic where we teach people how to rig their poles, how to bait their poles, how to cast, how to be safe and how to identify fish,” said Osnato. She also mentioned that the free fishing clinic is not part of the fishing derby, so anyone is free to attend without being in the actual derby.
Osnato said they usually get about 100 attendees for each event day, depending on weather. Walk in attendees are always welcome.
The winners in each of the three categories will receive fishing themed prizes, to encourage them to continue with the hobby long after the derby is complete. The three categories are: bass, which includes both small and large mouth bass, sunfish, and “other”, which include species such as catfish, pickerel, perch, and crappie. “Bass and sunfish are fish that can be caught at both locations,” said Osnato. “We’ll get a perch or a catfish; more catfish at Turkey Swamp Park than the reservoir. But the reservoir has some amazing fish in it also.” Osnato did mention that if there was a tie in a category, the winner will be determined by whoever brought that fish in first.
The first day of the derby, at the Manasquan Reservoir, was windy, but clear skies. Temperatures were in the low 80s at the start of the fishing clinic. With small whitecaps on the water, the attendees were given instruction on how to cast in windy conditions. Ann Marie Osnato was on hand to give valuable directions as well as other park naturalists. About 30 participants were there, some learning how to fish for the first time. A reliable method of a hook, a bobber, and a worm were all you needed to get going.
Adam Charles, from the Keyport area, was first in line to register for the fishing derby at the Manasquan Reservoir. The last time he was at the derby, the weather wasn’t cooperating. “The last time I was here it was really rainy,” said Charles. But today, he had a plan for the nicer weather. “The pre-registration came with worms so I’m going to try them out first, but I have a bunch of lures, too.”
Osnato said she wants people to know about all the Park System has to offer its visitors.
“The Monmouth County Park System has got some great bodies of water, both saltwater and freshwater, so were trying to get people introduced to a new hobby; something to do with families,” said Osnato. “It’s a fun filled weekend…it’s for people who are familiar with fishing and people who aren’t familiar with fishing. So, you can come out and hopefully learn a new hobby.”
The following are the winners for the two-day event. For the Manasquan Reservoir:
Bass Category: 17 ½” Peter Tadrick; 14 3/8” Shing Tang; 7 ¾” Pietro Louza
Sunny Category:
9” Noah Quah
8 1/2” Lucas Quah
8 1/8” Phil Adase
Other Category:
Yellow Perch 8 ¾” Carter
And for day two at Turkey Swamp Park:
Bass Category:
12 5/8” Dylan Bloomfield
11 ½” Michael Magliozzo
10 ¾” Lucas Harris
Sunny Category:
8” Bryce Bloomfield
7 5/8” Colton Bloomfield
7 5/8” Wade Bates
Other Category:
Catfish 18 ½” Jeff Bloomfield
Catfish 17 1/8” Jennifer Logothetis
Catfish 14 ½” Will Benkovich
Sponsors of the event included donations from the following contributors: Fisherman’s Den of South Belmar, Green Acres Bait Shop of Hightstown, JCP Bait & Tackle of Belford, Julian’s Bait & Tackle of Atlantic Highlands, Keyport Marine Basin, Tackle Box of Hazlet, Tak Waterman of Long Branch, Up Front Bait and Tackle of Keyport, and the Fishing Flea Market Bait & Tackle of Keyport.
