Our meeting start time for 2026 is now 45 minutes earlier. Our General Meetings will start at 6:30 and doors will open at 6:00. We are doing this to finish the meeting earlier for folks fishing the next day.
Returning from 2025:
FOM Contests: There are over 40 FOM contests and everyone has an opportunity to win those gift certificates. All of the FOMs are listed on the 2026 FOM Standings Pulldown from the Tournaments / Contests Banner.
Battle on the Beach – VHFC took over officiating the “Battle on the Beach” high school surf fishing tournament in 2019. The annual contest has students from Lacey Township High School, Barnegat High School, Southern Regional High School and Mates Academy (Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science) of Manahawkin competing for top bragging rights on the beach in Barnegat Light. The winning school gets their name engraved on a trophy that is displayed in the school’s lobby and a $1,000 scholarship donated by the LBI Surf Fishing Committee. The event will be held on the Barnegat Light beaches in early June (Date TBD). Please consider volunteering to be a judge at this event. Contact Ed Valitutto at edvalitutto@gmail.com.
Picture of the Month – While we all enjoy the pictures submitted with fishing reports and pictures for the FOM entries, we are really missing out on sharing the fun we have with friends and family while fishing or just spending time on the water or at the shore. So, please, send in your favorite photos each month, and our expert panel of judges (including a professional photographer) will select the winner based on subject matter – fishing activities, fishing locales, sunsets, beaches, club activities, subjects and composition, proper exposure and focus. Emphasis should be on the fun of fishing and related activities. Winners and submissions will be posted on our website, and on our Facebook page and Instagram accounts. Winners get bragging rights and entry into a drawing at the November meeting for a $50.00 gift certificate. Send your photos to Phil Simon at sciman2@gmail.com
VHFC Spring Fishing Trip – We had a great outing with Captain Sam Rescigno on the Mary M IV bottom fishing last yar. Numbers of Black Sea Bass & Ling were put on ice for some fantastic eating. This year the trip is booked for Thursday, May 21st. We will be fishing again on the Mary M IV. Details and signup sheets will be available at the General Meeting in April. To sign up contact Dave Etelman.
VHFC Inshore Slam: This tournament will be held from May 25 through 31 and involve fishing for Fluke, Weakfish, Bluefish and Stripers. Anglers will earn points by measuring their catch. The tournament is by Boat or Land but all fishing must take place from inside the inlets or from Beach, Land, Dock. Designed to be a week long tournament, anglers can pick any two days of that week to fish. More details will be reviewed at the April & May General Meetings. Contact John Stuebing to sign up – 609-294-8823.
VHFC Annual Fluke Tournament – The VHFC Fluke Tournament will be held on the Saturday July 11th. Entry fee is $20 per angler with all monies returned in prizes. Following the contest, VHFC hosts a picnic / BBQ at the Mill Creek Pavilion for entrants and their guests. Please be sure to sign up for this event at the April, May, June or July Meetings. You can also contact John Stuebing to sign up.
Tri Club Fluke Challenge – Held on Saturday July 25 with the Awards BBQ on Sunday July 26, this is a tournament between Village Harbour, Fish Hawks and Forked River Tuna Club. Details below:
- There is no entry fee for this Tournament, but only active Members of each Club are eligible. The Tournament is sponsored by Creekside Outfitters.
- Anglers can bring Family and/or Friends to the Picnic. The Picnic will be held at the Forked River Tuna Club facility. There is both indoor and outdoor seating available and there will be a cash bar. The cost of the Picnic is $5.00 per person. Kids under 12 are free. The Picnic gets started at 1:00PM.
- All Fluke must be weighed in at Creekside Outfitters in Waretown. The top 10 Fluke for each Fishing Club will be counted toward the Club Championship. There will also be individual awards (Gift Certificates to Creek Side Outfitters) for the Largest Fluke: $100, 2nd Place: $50, 3rd – 6th Place: $25. You must be at the Picnic to receive a prize.
- There will be a sign up sheet at the May, June and July Meetings. You can also send a e-mail to stuebs@comcast.net (John Stuebing) if you would like to sign up for the Tournament. Please indicate the number of people you will be bringing to the Picnic. We will start collecting the $5.00 for the Picnic at the May Meeting.
- The winning Club will be presented a Trophy at the Picnic!
VHFC Ocean Fluke Trip – This year’s trip is booked for Thursday, September 17th on the Mary M IV. Details and signup sheets will be available at the General Meetings. To sign up contact Dave Etelman.
VHFC Open: This was a new tournament for 2025 that got canceled due to weather. Taking place from August 24 through the 30th, anglers will earn points by measuring Fluke, Bluefish, Sea Bass and Blackfish. This will also be a week long tournament with anglers picking any two days to fish. Fishing can take place in all VHFC approved waters. More details will be reviewed at the General Meetings.
VHFC Dinner – No date has been chosen yet, but VHFC will have a dinner in late October or Early November. The last several dinners were held at Kostas Grill in Tuckerton and were enjoyed by all attendees. Always a great time and a good excuse for members and friends to gather for some fun! Guests pay for their own selected meals with VHFC providing appetizers and wine. Further details for the 2026 event will be provided when available.
VHFC Fall Fishing Trip –The trip is booked with Captain Sam Rescigno on the Mary M IV for a bottom fishing trip on Wednesday November 4th. The focus of this trip is Sea Bass, but who knows what other species like Ling, Triggerfish, Porgies, etc. will be caught. The club provides the Coffee and Donuts. Great opportunity to get fillets for the freezer! Contact Dave Etelman for more information
VHFC Surf Tournament – This tournament was started in 2024, repeated in 2025 and was a big success. Hosted and managed by our very own “Bayside Dave” members competed by fishing from the Beach, Land or Docks of LBI. In 2026 this event is planned for 11/21/2026. More details will be provided as we get closer to the event Don’t miss this event!
VHFC T Shirts, Hats – We are changing suppliers for our VHFC shirts. Soon we will have a “Store” online for you to buy great shirts and outerwear. We also have hats available for purchase at our General Meetings.
