As September clears the beaches of umbrellas and sunbathers, 4-wheel drive vehicles, coolers and fishing gear take their place.
The Pat Erdman Memorial Atlantic County Surf Fishing Derby will be held Sept. 27 through Nov. 23 on the beaches of Atlantic City and Brigantine islands. The derby has been a fall tradition in Atlantic County for the last 40 years.
Organizer Ed Berger of Margate said this year’s event includes some rule changes to make the fishing derby better than ever. He reminded fishers to be aware that that safety is a top priority.
Fishers who want to enter the contest must obtain a beach pass from the municipality where they will cast their line. Longport is the only participating community that does not allow 4-wheel drive vehicles on the beach.
Longport is walk-on only and Atlantic City requires vehicle registrations be obtained online at http://main.govpilot.com/.../040e103b-22c_Boardwalk...
Purchase vehicle passes at Ventnor City Hall, Margate Police Department, Atlantic City Engineer’s Office. Brigantine requires a full-season beach pass. Drive on the beaches at your own risk. Dash cards must be displayed. Violations could revoke permits.
New this year is the requirement that fishers provide a brief cell phone video that shows a live fish and the location caught in an effort to keep everything above board.
“A quick phone video that shows the live fish, your smiling face, and a quick 360 of where you are is mandatory,” Berger said in a Facebook post.
Fish may be caught from beaches, piers, bridges and banks of water surrounding Brigantine and Absecon islands, from the Brigantine Inlet to the base of Longport side of the Ocean City-Longport Bridge toll road that are legally accessible to anglers.
Entry fee is $25. Anglers must have a Surf Derby pin and dash card, current vehicle registration, insurance card and driver’s license. Beach passes for 4-wheel-drive vehicles must be obtained from the local municipality. Longport does not permit driving on the beach. Operators drive on the beach at their own risk and must adhere to the 15-miles-per-hour speed limit, which will be strictly enforced by the municipalities.
Derby badges can be purchased at participating bait and tackle weigh stations:
Anglers are limited to one win in each of five categories – bluefish (minimum 15”), striped bass (28-31”), tautog (15”), kingfish (10”) and sheepshead (18”).
Prizes for striped bass are first place $500, second place $200 and third place $100. Prizes for the remaining categories are $300, $100 and $50. Prizes will be awarded at the conclusion of the Derby;
Official Rules and Regulations posted at http://www.facebook.com/ACSurfFishingDerby/
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