MFC Annual Fishing Contest

Part of the tradition of the Manasquan Fishing Club is running the Annual Members Fishing Contest. This tradition is to promote comradery among members, friendly competition, and recognition of accomplishment. It runs the entire calendar year and tracks largest fish caught by weight (and/or length as noted below) across a variety of categories.

The rules are simple:

• You must be a life, senior, student, or junior member “in good standing.”
• You must be fishing in New Jersey waters, either from the shore, or from a boat leaving from a New Jersey port.
  • Shore-based includes fishing in any NJ salt or brackish waters (ocean, rivers, canals, and bays).
  • Shore and boat catches constitute separate award categories where indicated.
• All award-winning fish must meet in-season criteria per the NJDEP regulations at the time of catch.
• The MFC has a one memorial award per fish rule. This is to enable recognition across a broader group of club members.
• Any single member may, however, receive multiple memorial awards for separate qualifying fish caught.
• A memorial award fish may also be eligible for other “certificate” awards.
• All fish caught and kept must be of legal size.
• Note: There are fish species for which no awards will be presented at this time. In the future, the MFC awards may be modified based on migration and catch patterns, member interest, etc.
• To enter, fill out an official Manasquan Fishing Club Affidavit or obtain a tackle shop weigh-slip signed by the angler and person weighing. Then submit the affidavit or weigh-slip to the Award Coordinator. In keeping with the electronic age, emails, texts, or entries on the club Group-Me page are accepted as long as they include the date and time that fish was caught, angler’s name, length, and weight of entry.
• Personal hand scale weights are acceptable but must also include length.
  • Length submission photographs must show the tip of the snout to the end of the tail of the fish.
  • Weights taken on certified scales will take precedence over hand-held scales on boats or shore.

Certificate Awards

MFC Slam Awards

The MFC Slam Awards are to recognize an angler’s breadth of knowledge, skill, and dedicated effort required to catch quality fish across species and seasons.

• Slam Awards may be presented to all members who catch any three (Triple Slam Award) or four (Grand Slam Award) of the following fish:
  • Striper: 40″+
  • Fluke: 24″+
  • Bluefish: 30″
  • Black Sea Bass: 17″+
  • Blackfish: 18″+
• While fish of these sizes may not be considered to be exceptional as a stand-alone catch, only a committed angler would be able to “stack” such quality catches across species.
• The MFC Slam Awards are based on length only and the fish may be kept or released.
• The recipient of a MFC Grand Slam Award is not eligible to concurrently receive a Triple Slam Award.
• A certificate will be presented for the Triple Slam Award.
• A plaque will be presented for the Grand Slam Award.
• Note: Qualifying fish may also be eligible for other awards including Memorial Awards.

Other Award Categories

Measuring Your Fish

It is important that fish be measured consistently and in conformity to NJDEP standards. The following information is provided for your reference:

• Fluke: Total length is measured from the tip of the closed mouth to the end of the tail.
• Striped Bass: Total length is measured from the tip of the closed mouth to the end of the pinched tail.
• Black Sea Bass: Total length is measured from the tip of the closed mouth to the end of the tail (excluding any tail filaments).
• Blackfish: Total length is measured from the tip of the closed mouth to the end of the tail.
• Bluefish: Total length is measured from the tip of the closed mouth to the end of the tail (no pinching).
• Tuna: Curved fork length is measured from the tip of the closed mouth along the curve of the fish to the “V – fork” between the dorsal and ventral caudal fins.