Learn Surf Fishing Skills with the Junior Angler Program

By Stella Mueller, American Littoral Society Education Program Intern ​​

Do you have a child that is fascinated with fishing? Then the Junior Ranger Angler Surf Fishing Program on Sandy Hook could be the perfect way for them to learn the art of casting from a beach.

It was for me!

Led by the American Littoral Society's Fish Tagging Director Emily McGuckin and rangers from the National Park Service, it offers young people ages 10-16 an opportunity learn from experts about the basics of fishing and why fish tagging is beneficial to conservation, while also getting hands-on experience.

This program, which has multiple dates throughout the summer, welcomes anglers with all experience levels and promotes fish tagging to a growing community of local young anglers.
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As an education intern with the Society, with little fishing experience, I joined the a recent Junior Angler program to learn more about the process of fish tagging.

While there are a wide variety of fish species that can be caught in the waters Sandy Hook's long, ocean-side beaches, the program typically targets tagging fluke at this time of year. Unfortunately, It was a foggy day on the beach and we didn’t catch anything, but this didn’t take away from the memorable and exciting experience I had during the session.

Typically, these events begin with Emily discussing the history of the Society’s Fish Tagging Program and why tagging is important for marine science and conservation. The Littoral Society Fish Tagging Program has been tagging native fish along the East Coast since 1965 and is only 12,000 fish shy of reaching a million individual fish tagged.

The surf fishing sessions also review the basics of surf fishing - including casting, knot tying, lure/bait selection, and “reading” a beach - along with what equipment is best to use for beginners.

At the event I attended, there was a hands-on demonstration of knot tying, which is a crucial skill to master in order to have a successful catch, by Jack Glassberg, the fish tagging program intern for Summer 2024. The rest of the program was on the beach, trying to practice casting with the hopes of catching fish to tag. 

I found myself wanting to take up fishing as a hobby right away because of the thrill and rush of adrenaline the activity gives you. By the end of a Junior Ranger Angler Surf Fishing session, you will be hooked and might even want to pursue fishing and tagging on your own! 

If you are interested in signing up for a Junior Angler program, check our website calendar for upcoming dates. If you'd like to learn more about our Fish Tagging Program, go to our website or contact Emily McGuckin: [email protected]. 

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