There are several contests that the club runs during the calendar year. The general rules applicable to all contests are listed below. Rules specific for each contest appear after the contest description.
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- Only a paid-up VHFC member can enter fish.
- All lapsed dues must be paid up a minimum of 24 hours prior to any fish being entered.
- All fish will be judged based on length only. All anglers should measure their fish using a yardstick, retractable metal tape, aluminum fish ruler or adhesive boat tape ruler. Do not use a cloth tailor’s tape since they stretch or can shrink over time.
- Place your fish on top of the ruler and measure from the tip of the closed mouth to the center / fork of the tail except for Striped Bass. Striped Bass must be measured per NJ F&W guidelines. Bass MUST be measured from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side. In the event of a tie, the first entry by date will be the winner. Due to their sloping tail, Kingfish are measured to the bottom of the tail fin.
- Take a picture using either your camera or Phone making sure the entire fish and the start of the ruler is in the frame with the measuring device visible. We will enlarge the photo to read the measurement.
- Email or text your photo to Weighmaster Pat Presutto with a backup copy to Ed Valitutto. Both emails are available in the VHFC Newsletter. Include your name, where caught and length assessment in inches. The date and time your email is received will be your entry’s time tag.
- Winning entry will be determined by Weighmaster Pat Presutto. If entries are too close for a decision, then the first entry received will be the winner. Therefore, take a clear photo and enter it ASAP!
- New for 2025 – All fish must be caught south of 40* 06′ (Manasquan Inlet) and north of 39* 05′ (Townsend Inlet). This applies to both Boat and Surf fishing. Head boats leaving from both Pt Pleasant and Brielle are legal.
- Tuna can be entered from the Hudson Canyon to Wilmington Canyon.
- All Fish must be entered within 24 hours of being caught.
- The fish must be legally caught by rod and reel.
- Bonus Tag Stripers can be entered but must show the bonus tag attached.
- Co-members (Spouses) and Junior members (as defined in our By-Laws) are also eligible for entering fish.
- Bluefish minimum size reduced to 14 inches for entry.
- Striped Bass, Bluefish, Sea Bass and Blackfish can be entered until 31 December for all contests.
- There are no Fish of the Month awards for January & February. Legal fish caught during those months still qualify for Fish of the Year & MBA.
- Fish of The Month winners receive a $50 gift certificate to a local tackle shop.
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We have three year-long contests: Melanie Boytos Award, Fish of the Year and Fish of the Month
Melanie Boytos Award
At our May 9th, 2008 meeting, Jim Hutchinson Sr. unveiled an annual tribute to our dearly departed friend Captain Melanie Boytos. Captain Melanie, also known as the Fisherqueen, was a close friend of this club and its members. Many of our members enjoyed the pleasure of fishing with her in and around the Barnegat Inlet area. This tribute will be in the form of an annual award for the VHFC angler of the year. Since Captain Melanie primarily fished for Fluke, Weakfish, Striped Bass and Bluefish, the award was originally based on catching one of each of these coveted species. In our area, catching all four of these species is known as a Grand Slam (or Inshore Slam).
However, due to the cyclical fish populations, VHFC amended the rules so that the award is based on total points for any of up to six species – Bluefish, Seabass, Striped Bass, Flounder, Blackfish and Weakfish. Points are earned based on the length of the fish, and the club angler who has the most yearly points per the table that follows, will win the award for that year. Multiple fish of each species can be entered but only the largest fish (highest point total) will count towards the award. The annual winner’s name will be engraved onto a plaque that will be displayed at the VHFC clubhouse or other prominent location.
The table below has the point totals for all species:
| PTS | FLUKE | WEAKFISH | STRIPED BASS | BLUFISH | SEA BASS | BLACKFISH |
| 1 | Min to <20 in | Min to <16 in | 24 to <28 in | 14 to <20 in | Min to <14 in | Min to <16 in |
| 2 | 20 to <22 in | 16 to <18 in | 28 to <31 in | 20 to <22 in | 14 to <16 in | 16 to <17 in |
| 3 | 22 to <23 in | 18 to <20 in | 31 to <35 in | 22 to <24 in | 16 to <18 in | 17 to <18 in |
| 4 | 23 to <24 in | 20 to <22 in | 35 to <38 in | 24 to <26 in | 18 to <20 in | 18 to <19 in |
| 5 | 24 to <25 in | 22 to <23 in | 38 to <40 in | 26 to <30 in | 20 to <22 in | 19 to <20 in |
| 6 | 25 to <26 in | 23 to <24 in | 40 to <42 in | 30 to <32 in | 22 to <23 in | 20 to <21 in |
| 7 | 26 to <27 in | 24 to <26 in | 42 to <44 in | 32 to <34 in | 23 to <24 in | 21 to <22 in |
| 8 | 27 to <28 in | 26 to <28 in | 44 to <46 in | 34 to <36 in | 24 to <25 in | 22 to <23 in |
| 9 | 28 to <29 in | 28 to <30 in | 46 to <48 in | 36 to <38 in | 25 to <26 in | 23 to <24 in |
| 10 | 29 in and up | 30 in and up | 48 in and up | 38 in and up | 26 in and up | 24 in and up |
Fish of the Year Awards Each angler with the largest Striped Bass, Bluefish, Fluke, Weakfish, Sea Bass & Blackfish will receive a lovely laser engraved plaque with their name, fish picture and catch length.
Fish of the Month Awards The largest fish caught during the specified period will be awarded a $50 gift certificate to a local tackle shop. For 2025, there are 34 FOM adult awards and 7Junior Angler Only awards each for a $50 certificate. All contests are listed on the Pulldown 2025 FOM Standings.
