It was a sunny day, and the pond was packed with hungry fish on Saturday June 1 in Neptune, as over 90 youth tried their luck at this year’s 8th annual ‘Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs’ event. The free tournament was held at the Hamilton Fire Company Pond and organized by the Neptune Township Municipal Alliance to Prevent Substance Misuse, Recreation, Police, and Marina; Bradley Beach Surf Casters; and Ocean Grove Fishing Club.
The fish were biting early, as kids went running to measuring stations around the pond, operated by volunteers from the Surf Casters and Fishing Club, with fresh-caught bass, catfish, bluegills and sunnies. Everyone was smiling and enjoying the great outdoors as shouts of “I got one!” were heard from around the pond with each new catch. While trophies were awarded for the heaviest catches, prizes were awarded for the two biggest catches in each age category. The trophies were provided by the fishing clubs, while the prizes were provided by the fishing clubs and Dick’s Sporting Goods.
Top catches were awarded to Da-Diyah M (6lb, 7oz, 25.5” catch) and Reagan D. (7oz, 8” catch) in the 1-6 age group, Janai S. (8oz, 9” catch) and Parker B. (7.2oz, 8” catch) in the 7-10 age group, Leah F. (6lb 8oz, 25” catch) and Ryanna C. (10oz, 10.25” catch) in the 11-14 age group, and Jazelle N. (8oz, 6” catch) and Anya D. (3oz, 7” catch) in the 15-18 age group.
Throughout the event a dozen other prizes (including tackle bags, gift cards, and sets of rods and tackle) were awarded to youth participants.
For use of the pond, hats, towels, bait, and raffle items, special thanks to event sponsors—Hamilton Fire Company, Imperial Healthcare, Seacrest Recovery, Dick’s Sporting Goods, the Governor’s Council on Substance Use Disorder, Mike’s Pet Supply, Jodi & Jodee’s Fishery. Thank you to Chick-fil-A of Ocean and The Cone Zone for providing snacks to all the youth to help make it a perfect day for fishing! There were even special appearances made by several of the turtles that reside in the pond that were sunning themselves early in the morning, and later helped themselves to a worm brunch.
NJ Department of Environmental Protection designed the Hooked on Fishing Not on Drugs event to create an interest in safe, healthy, outdoor activities for youth, and Neptune Township is proud to be an event supporter. Look for our 9th annual Hooked on Fishing event next year!!
