2023 Striped Bass Derby
Registration
Registration is by BOAT and not angler. Only one cash prize per boat. Entry fee: $200.00 per boat for two anglers plus $75.00 for additional anglers. All prizes go to the boat captain. Entry fee includes 1 commemorative shirt per angler, entry to both cocktail parties, and entry to Sunday’s fish fry and awards party.
Rules
Fishing begins Friday October 27th at 9pm
Final weigh-in Sunday October 29th from 10am - 12pm
Fishing limited to inshore waters within 3 miles of the beach
Boats must leave from Little Egg Inlet OR Barnegat Light Inlet
Northern and southern boundaries have been eliminated
Western boundary - The Garden State Parkway.
All boats weather docked or trailered, must access the ocean from either Barnegat Inlet or Beach Haven/Holgate Inlet
All fish must be caught on the captains boat, and must be from rod and reel
All fish must be hooked and fished to landing by one angler only
Captain’s may register and fish one boat only
Registered anglers will be allowed to fish on one boat only, the use of multiple boats is not allowed, nor are anglers able to switch boats during the event
In the case of a documented mechanical issue with your boat, please contact the derby committee. Captain’s attempting to switch boats to gain a competitive advantage will be disqualified.
Only one fish per boat will be eligible for a cash prize
For the catch and release category, anglers will be allowed to count any size striped bass they catch. The size of the fish will determine the number of points awarded. Catch and release fish pictures must be presented (via text message) during each weigh-in and in total (using the team tally sheet) at the final weigh-in. Each picture must be clear and show the angler, the fish alongside a Derby provided measuring tape and a phone with the time and date. This will be required for that fish to count. Fish of legal size (28-31 inches) will also count towards the team catch and release points. See point totals in downloadable packet above..
Total weight, then length and then girth will be used to determine final standings
Total length will be measured by “how the fish lies”, meaning weigh-in personnel will squeeze the tail to determine the length
In case of a tie, the prize money for that prize and the next lowest prize will be divided equally by the respective boat captains
Official weigh-in station is located at the Sea Shell's tiki bar
Captains agree to donate all weighed fish for the Sunday fish fry
Weigh in Schedule (Sea Shell Tiki bar)
Sat. Oct. 28th , 11:00 AM till 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM till 7:00 PM.
Sunday Oct 29th , 10:00 AM till 12 noon (AT&T cell time).
Committee Rules
1. If a discrepancy arises, the complainant should first contact the head judge (Rich Ferguson) of the Derby Committee . He will be available during all weigh in times at the Sea Shell. Please refrain from discussing issues privately with any judge. If you have an issue, present it directly to the head judge. If the head judge is unavailable, we will designate an alternate.
2. If there continues to be a disagreement, the head judge will convene a meeting of the Derby judges. The committee will meet with the interested parties and hear the complaint. The complainant will then leave the meeting and the committee will render a binding decision. The complainant will be made aware of their decision within one hour.
3. Any discrepancy with regard to the weight of a fish must be registered with the judge while the fish is on the scale. Once a fish has been removed from the scale, that weight will be official.
4. The Derby will be a rain or shine event. The decision to fish or when to fish will rest solely with the boats and their captain. In the event of severe weather, the Derby Committee will decide on the possibility of postponing the event until the following weekend. This decision would be made prior to 9:00PM, Friday Oct. 29th.
5. All registered anglers in this year’s 24th Annual Sea Shell Club Striped Bass Derby, are REQUIRED to participate in the NJ Saltwater Recreational Registry Program. You must re-register each year. Please make sure you are aware of all current NJ fishing regulations as they apply to Striped Bass, especially size limitations and the number of fish that can be harvested. This means you must register in the program, and hold a valid certificate from the program. This requirement is in addition to any other valid fishing license or permit that you might currently hold that would exempt you from the state program. YOU MUST BE REGISTERED IN THE STATE PROGRAM. Failure to do this will result in your boat being disqualified from any prizes offered by the Sea Shell Striped Bass Derby.
6. Upon request each and every registered anglers must present their registration certificate, NO EXCUSES WILL BE ALLOWED. You will be unable to weigh-in a fish without this documentation, and prior to the awarding of any cash prize all registered anglers on the boat must present their documentation.
Derby Committee:
Rich Conaway
Rich Ferguson
Harvey Kelsall
Bob Smith
David Cowles
Mike Boyle
Jaimee Boyle
Britt Solon
Paul Solon
Morty Southwick
Schedule of events:
Friday October 27th
Welcome Party - 1 hour open bar (7:00 – 8:00) with hors d'oeuvres for captains and registered anglers. Cash bar open to general public. Captains meeting 8:00 PM, at the Sea Shell.
Friday Oct. 28th Fishing starts: 9:00 PM, and continues until final weigh-in at 12:00 noon, Oct 30th at the Sea Shell.
Saturday Oct 28th
Two Fish Weigh-Ins: 11:00 AM till 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM till 7:00 PM
6:00 to 8:00 PM Cocktail party with hors d’oeuvres for all captains and registered anglers. Open bar 6:00 to 7:00, cash bar open to the general public.
Sunday Oct 29th
10:00AM - 12:00 Noon - Final weigh-in
12:00 to 2:00 PM Fish Fry for all captains and registered anglers.
Friends and family are welcome for fish fry ($20.00). Cash bar
12:00 to 4:00 PM, 2:00 PM awards ceremony