Atlantic County Surf Fishing Derby

12/03/2025

And another Pat Erdman Memorial/Atlantic County Surf Fishing Derby is in the record books! Much thanks to everyone that participated, especially all of the Municipalities that allow us access for our trucks and the guys at all the weigh-in stations that helped make our 2025 Pat Ervin Memorial possible....

PLEASE... as you do your Holiday shopping this year, remember these local shops should be the FIRST STOP you make to get gifts for your angling family and friends. They are all fighting very big fish on very light tackle to keep up with the giants and on-line stores and every dollar you spend there makes a difference! They do their part, please do yours!

Oh, you want to know who won? We can do that! Congratulations to all:

STRIPER:

1st - Linda Davioli - 12 # 30.25"
2nd - Kodi Segich - 11.95 # 31"
3rd - Armond Mendleson - 11.9 # 30.5"

KINGFISH

1st - Don Massimini - 10.5oz 12"
2nd - Jerry Beavlieu - 9.7oz 11.5"
3rd - Mike Sheppard - 5oz 10.5"

TOG

1st - Dennis Segich - 7.11 # 23"
2nd - Aaron Steinhauer - 3.4 # 17"

BLUEFISH

1st - Kodi Segich - 7.9 # 29"

SHEEPSHEAD

1st - Dennis Segich - 7.16 # 23"

If you are listed above, please contact Scott at Derby Headquarters, Scott's Dock so we can get you your prize.

Again, thanks to everyone that participated and helped make this possible. The Derby is one of the longest running fishing events on the East Coast and it is because of all of you that join in and pitch in year after year.

On behalf of our Board...... Scotty, Donnie and myself (Ed), we wish you many sunrises to come, and hopes that we see you again next year!.....

11/12/2025

Ready for a little update?? There is good news and bad news...the bad news is that action locally has been pretty slow. As you will see from the combined weigh-ins below, there is not a heck of alot going on, although this cold snap is surely going to kick things up a notch. The Good news? There is still plenty of time to beat these category leaders between now and the 23rd!

KINGFISH

M. Shep weighed in a 10.5", .5 # Kingy caught on Margate Beach, weighed in at Scotts Scott's Dock

SHEEPSHEAD
Dennis Segich weighed in a 7.16 #, 23" Sheepie caught in Longport and weighed in at Tight Lines B&T North

BLUEFISH
Kodi Segich weighed in a 8.7 #, 23.5" Chopper caught in Longport and weighed in at Tight Lines B&T North

TOG
Aaron Steinhauser weight in a 3.4 #, 17" Tog caught in Longport and weighed in at Scott's Dock
Kodi Segich weighed in a 8.7 #, 23.5" Tog caught in Longport and weighed in at Tight Lines B&T North
Dennis Segich weighted in a 7.11 #, 29" Tog caught in Longport and weighed in at Tight Lines B&T North
Aaron Steinhauser weighed in a 2.8 #, 16.5" Tog in Longport and weighed in at Scott's Dock

STRIPER
Adam Walcoff weighed in a 10 #, 31" Striper caught in Margate and weighed in at Scott's Dock
Dave Taylor weighed in a 10.2 #, 30.5" Striper caught in Longport and weighed in at Scott's Dock
Kodi Segich weighed in a 11.9 #, 31" Striper caught in Longport and weighed in at Tight Lines B&T North
Rich Dicib????... has lousy handwriting so I am misspelling his name but caught a 9.3 #, 29" Striper in AC and weighed in at One Stop Bait & Tackle
Paddy Milligan weighed in a 9.9 #, 31" Striper in AC and weighed in at One Stop Bait & Tackle

Still plenty of time to get out there and get your winner! We will keep you updated!

09/10/2025

The row after row of umbrellas are gone, the wind has turned North, and once again the Dogs and Trucks will rule the beach! It is September, and in our world, time once again for us to roll out all that is The Atlantic County Surf Fishing Derby, known to those that love it as The Pat Erdman Memorial!

On behalf of our Board; Scott at Margate's Scott's Dock Donnie, and my humble self... Ed, we welcome you all back and hope you will share this wonderful event with your friends and their kids so they can also become part of this Derby that has become a tradition on Absecon Island for more than 40 years.

We do have a couple of rules changes this year so please go through them carefully to stay in compliance. We remind ALL of you that this is a "Safety First" event, and any misuse of vehicles on the beaches or violations of the rules will be dealt with seriously with local authorities. It's easy to play by the rules....

Opening Day is going to be September 27th, closing out on November 23rd.

You can start getting your beach passes about a week before and we will post up here exactly the dates by municipality once they are totally confirmed. Longport continues to be walk-on only, and Atlantic City Vehicle registrations can only be made on-line at : main.govpilot.com/web/public/040e103b-22c_Boardwalk-Vehicle-Public-Form-atlanticcity?uid=6910&ust=NJ&pu=1&id=1 .

Right up front we want everyone to know that we will be requiring video confirmation of every weighed-in fish this year. A quick phone video that shows the live fish, your smiling face, and a quick 360 of where you are is mandatory. We WILL NOT be sharing any location information with anyone, it is for verification only. It is an annoying extra step, but regrettably it is the only way we can keep the entries clean of any controversy.

Please support the B&T shops that act as weigh-in stations with your business. They all volunteer their participation to make your life easier in participating, and it is a tough way to make a living in a cyber-shopping world.

More details on the Beach Buggy Passes will be posted soon... if you have any questions, let us know and we will do our best to answer them for you..

UPDATE!!! As of today, 9/15, the Derby Badges are available in your favorite B&T! Preliminary date for Beach Buggy Permits is 9/22... we will confirm for you so you don't spin your wheels getting set up..

GETTING CLOSER!!

Ed

12/02/2024

Well another one is in the books my friends. Here is the tale of the tape for The Pat Erdman Memorial Derby, and Congratulations to our winners. Not trying to sound like a lifecoach here... but there is no losing when you get to do what we do for fun.

Congrats to:

STRIPER
#1 Dennis Segich 15.3 #
#2 Jerry Grady 15.1 #
#3 Kodi Segich 13.5 #

BLUEFISH
#1 Dennis Segich 7.3 #
#2 Brandon Scholnich 4.2 #
#3 Kodi Segich 3.8 #

TOG
#1 Kodi Segich 7.6 #
#2 Dennis Segich 6.6 #
#3 Wilfred Martinez 4.4 #

SHEEPSHEAD
#1 Dave Taylor 14.5 #

There were no Kingfish weigh-ins.

Winners please contact Scott's Dock and we will get you your prize money!

Already looking forward to next year... and remembering all of our friends, past and present, that we have shared this wonderful event with.

10/19/2024

I want to dial you all into a wrinkle we just ironed out regarding the closed and locked gate at the Albany Ave crossover in Atlantic City. If you are planning on using this ramp to drive on the beach, you have to call the Communications Office (that is the non-emergency number) of the ACPD, and an officer will unlock it for you. Save this number…609-347-5780. Be Sure To Have Your AC Pass with you… it will be checked before you are let thru.

Sorry about the late notice on this… it is a new situation.

09/24/2024

Well it is GAME ON!

The 2024 Derby is up and running and I happy to report that both Noel over at One Stop Bait & Tackle and John & Calvin over at The Ship Shop both have had their first Striper weigh-ins!

Jerry B. weighed in at One Stop with an 11 # 31" striper

Rich D. weighed in at Ship Shop with a 9.75 30" Striper

Will post some pics as soon as we get them from the shops but the bite is ON!

Stay Tuna-ed..

Ed

08/28/2024

Are you Beach Bums ready to stop stepping over beach chairs, stop worrying about where the "bathing areas" are where a Lifeguard in a red Speedo can tell you where to fish? Well my friends, it is ALMOST DERBY TIME AND WE ARE READY TO GO!

it is once again time for our Atlantic County Surf Fishing Derby aka The Pat Erdman Memorial.

Derby Headquarters from now on is Ray Scott's Dock, 9211 Amherst Ave. in Margate, and we welcome Scott Bonar as a Chairperson to join Don Brown & Ed Berger... (we are hanging in there...., but making Scott do all the heavy lifting ). The other sign-up/ weigh-in stations are listed below.

Here are the details and Official rules. Please note that this year we are adding Sheepshead to the mix!

OFFICIAL RULES AND REGULATIONS 2024

ATLANTIC COUNTY/ATLANTIC CITY SURF FISHING DERBY
The Pat Erdman Memorial

STRIPED BASS – BLUEFISH-TAUTOG-KINGFISH-SHEEPSHEAD

OPENING DAY SEPTEMBER 23 -FINAL DAY November 24, 2024

1. Fish may be caught from beaches, piers, bridges, and banks of water surrounding Absecon and Brigantine Islands, from Brigantine inlet to the base of the Ocean City Toll Bridge (Longport side) that are legally accessible to all anglers.

2. Minimum size: Striped Bass – 28”-31” ONLY Bluefish – 15” Tautog – 15” Kingfish – 10” Sheepshead – 18”

3. Tournament badges can be obtained at participating Tackle Shops listed at the bottom of this page. Contestants possessing a Surf Derby Pin, Dash Card, Current vehicle registration, Insurance Card and Driver’s License can obtain beach passes for their four-wheel drive vehicles. Each municipality controls their own beach passes so you must take your information to get your permits to: Ventnor City Hall, Margate Police Department, Atlantic City Engineers Office (AC IS "ON-LINE ONLY", AND also requires declarations page from your Insurance Policy) ...go to: www.acnj.gov/Departments/city-engineer-office
click on Boardwalk Vehicle Permit. BEACH ACCESS IN AC IS ALBANY AVE. ONLY! Brigantine requires a full season beach permit. Vehicle passes are available beginning September 16. Longport does not allow vehicles on the beach, however, the “No Parking” signs will be taken down adjacent to bulkheads on beach blocks on September 19.

4. OPERATORS OF FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES DRIVE ON THE BEACH AT THEIR OWN RISK, and are to follow the restrictions of the local municipalities and must be ACTIVELY ENGAGED in fishing. Dash cards must be displayed in the front windshield while on the beach. Entry badges must be present upon request. 15 MPH SPEED LIMIT IS STRICTLY ENFORCED. Violations will result in immediate revocation of permits.

5. Atlantic County/Atlantic City Surf Fishing Derby, it’s Directors and Sponsors assume no responsibility or liability nor do and of the participating municipalities. Full responsibility and liability lie with the individual contestant.

6. Anglers are ultimately responsible for the weigh-in slips being legibly completed, signed, and turned in for the contest.

7. BADGES MUST BE PURCHASED 24 HOURS BEFORE WEIGHING IN ANY FISH.

8. Entry Fee is $25

9. Anglers are limited to ONE win in each of the FIVE categories. An angler can weigh in any fish larger than his/her previous entry for the purpose of winning the overall category. This allows for the possibility of FIVE overall prizes.

10. Fish must be registered at one weigh in station only. Fish caught on Sundays must be weighed in by 1:00PM on Monday. No slips will be accepted after that.

11. Final day of the Derby closes at 3:00 PM on Sunday 11/24/24. All entries must be weighed in by 4:00PM.

PRIZES TO BE PAID AS FOLLOWS:
• Striped Bass – 1st Place - $500 2nd Place - $200 3rd Place - $100
• Bluefish, Tautog, Kingfish, Sheepshead – 1st Place - $300 2nd Place - $100 3rd Place - $50

ALL PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE DERBY – SEE UPDATES ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE

OFFICIAL WEIGH STATIONS
DERBY HEADQUARTERS – SCOTTS DOCK, 9211 AMHERST AVE., MARGATE. Absecon Bay Sportsman’s Center, 81 Natalie Terrace, Absecon; The Ship Shop, 118 N. Dorset Ave., Ventnor; Tight Lines B&T, 830 Bay Ave., Somers Point; Riptide B&T, 1201 Brigantine Ave., Brigantine; One Stop Bait & Tackle, 416 Atlantic Ave., Atlantic City.
IN ALL MATTERS, THE DECISION OF THE JUDGES PANEL ARE FINAL

Two more points of almost related business. First, our Host Headquarters, Scott's Dock in Margate, has added the "Captain Robin" to their fleet, a brand new, beautiful 40' pontoon boat sailing out of Margate. If you want to jump on or set up a great floating party, please think of Scott first. You can't win the Derby with a Captain Robin fish, but you and your friends sure can have a great day out. https://scottsdock.com/boat-kayak-rentals/captain-robin/

Next, if you want to help support another local that is deep into keeping the Derby alive, please take a look at all of our STEELFIN Die-Cut Decals, Hats and Apparel at www.steelfinangling.com We work hard on the Derby every year and would be happy to see our art on your trucks, boats and on your long-casting backs!

See you guys on the rocks and sand....

The City Engineer’s Office is the City's lead agency for the budgeting, planning, design, construction management and construction inspections of public buildings and infrastructure improvements. Projects include municipal buildings, such as police and fire stations, as well as bridges, roadway, t...

07/18/2024

We're Baaaaack!

Although many are simply dreaming of going fishing this upcoming weekend, your hard working, underpaid (ok... not paid), overworked Directors of the Atlantic County Surf Fishing Derby aka The Pat Erdman Memorial, are getting their .... uh.... stuff together for yet another great Derby for 2024. Here are a couple details, more info to come:

1. Derby Dates this year are September 23- November 24.

2. A new category has been added for the elusive Sheepshead, for those of you that have been drinking the "I got to catch one of these convict lookin' SOB's" Kool-aide before the season is over. It is the new local fishing addiction.

3. Ray Scott's Dock on Amherst Ave. in Margate is serving as Derby Headquarters this year, but there are still lots of other weigh-in and sign-up spots in the local zone. We will post them all once they have all confirmed.

Stay tuned for all the updates and info, and share our page with every last fisherman in the area that you know... the more anglers in the game, the more money we can pass on to the Local PBA's when our event comes to a close at the end of November!

Thanks!

Ray, Ed & Don

04/09/2024

The Sun was the center of the worldwide show yesterday with millions talking about it... this morning, it was just me, , and yesterday's superstar. Totally ok with that.

12/05/2023

OK Crew... another derby is in the books and here are the winners and new braggin' rights champions for 2023! We particularly want to thank the Staff at all the weigh stations that make this Derby possible, and the individual municipalities that allow us to buggy on their beaches for this truly special family event.

BLUEFISH

Kodi Segich 9 #
Dennis Segich 6.8 #
Linda Davoil 3.3 #

STRIPER

Kodi Segich 15.2 # 31"
Linda Davoli 12.3 # 30.75"
Duke Humphreys 11.6 # 30.5"

TOG

Dennis Segich 8.2 #
Will Boothby 4.01 #
Basillo Torres 3.31 #

KINGFISH

None Entered

All winners will be contacted by Ray Scott's Dock, our Derby Headquarters, to make arrangements for your checks.

We encourage all of the winners to post up pics of their winning fish as they were not submitted by the weight stations.

Once again, the only people that make money off this tournament are the winners! All entry fees above the prize money and start up expenses (badges, printing, etc.) gets whacked up by the Directors each year and checks are donated to the Police Benevolent Associations for each of the participating towns.

On behalf of Ray Scott's Dock, Don Brown, and me, Ed Berger... thanks for another great year and we hope to see all of you again next September!