A Summer of junior anglers at sandy hook

Justin Saginor, Fish Tagging Manager

This spring and summer, the American Littoral Society partnered with the national park service for our second consecutive year of the Junior Ranger Angler Program. This program brings children’s age 10 to 16 out to Gateway National Recreation Area, Sandy Hook. Each session runs approximately three hours and has a maximum of twelve attendees. 

​The clinic starts with a quick safety and overview presentation at the American Littoral Society office. Junior anglers learn about different hazards of the beach, including waves, tides, and rip currents. Fishing safety is covered to ensure fish are handled carefully and no fingers get bitten… we give a quick overview of some basic marine biology and the importance of keeping our ecosystem healthy. 

​After the presentation we go outside to do a casting lesson. To ensure that every junior angler has the fundamental idea of how to cast a spinning rod and reel. All levels of experience are accepted. We are more than happy to teach somebody for the very first time.

The remainder of the clinic is spent on the beach catching fish. Each Junior Angler is provided their own rod and reel. We also provide hooks, weights and bait. Spread along the beach each junior angler enjoys their time casting and being outside. Much of the summer we have been catching summer flounder, clear nose skates, dogfish, and bluefish. Lots of support from myself, our fish tagging program intern Maggie, the Restoration Corps crew, the National Park Service Rangers, and park service volunteers Chris and Kay. 

​​The American Littoral Society is home to the largest and longest running volunteer fishing program in the nation. We bring that fish tag program to this event and tag all the fish that are caught. It is a fantastic way to instruct kids about fishing, get them outside and give them a window into the world of marine science.