TOURNEY TOPPERS

Local and area anglers were winners and among the 550 surf fishermen and women at the 21st annual Governor's Cup Surf Fishing Tournament at Island Beach State Park on Oct. 7.
Rain was in the forecast, but held off for the festivities where more than 130 fish were caught.
New Jersey DEP Commissioner Bob Martin and Lt. Governor Kim Guadango were there to greet the sports and take part in the awards ceremony.
Overall winner was Bill Sheppard of Seaside Park with a 20 3/8" bluefish. He won two rod and reel combos, an Orvis gift card and will has his name engraved on the Governor's Cup, on display at the park.
Locally, Tyler Contento of Ewing took first (teen, male) place in the Kingfish category with a first place fish of 13 6/8".
Justin Subramanian of Pennington copped first (teen, male) in the Blackfish category with a 16 5/8" fish.
Zoltan Egyed was a second place winner (adult, male) with a 18 2/8" blackfish. An identical size fish was also entered, but Egyed caught his fish nearly three hours earlier.
In the male child bluefish category, first place went to Jaden Ferry of Hamilton with a 17 7/8" blue.
The teen male first place winner was Tyler Contendo of Ewing with an 18-inch bluefish, his second top catch of the day.
Shore area winners included Dylan Schloles of Toms River, Taylor Warwick also of Toms River, Joshua Leeds of Oceanview and Nicole Kruysman of Forked River.
More than $130,000 has been raised in the tournament for conservation, improved beach access and education projects.
The event is run by the Division of Fish & Wildlife, Parks & Forestry, NJ Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs, The Jersey Coast Anglers Association and the NJ Beach Buggy Association.

SHOWING UP PAYS OFF

We've always said one of the strong suits of the anti-hunting crowd is that they are vocal and attend meetings where agendas may threaten their viewpoint.
Sportsmen often take a "sit back and see what happens" approach to threats, and often the worst does happen.
Not so in a recent proposal by Marlboro officials to limit hunting in the municipality with some pretty severe restrictions.
Some 75 sportsmen, alerted by the NJOA and social media, flocked to the meeting and spoke in opposition to the plan.
Marlboro's proposed ordinance was withdrawn.
Good work and thanks to all who took the time and effort to attend.