Mike Martin tournament returns for fourth year

When memorial events such as fishing tournaments take place, the participants often wonder if the event truly represents the spirit of the person being honored. In the case of the Mike Martin Memorial Fishing Tournament, it is almost a certainty that he would have loved it since he helped create it.

In what later became a bittersweet outcome, Mike Martin was the person who first conceived of the idea of a summer fishing tournament at the Surf City Pier. Never intending to make the tournament about him, Martin just wanted to create a fishing tournament that would bring a weekend of camaraderie and competition to the pier.

Unfortunately, Martin's long battle with heart problems kept him from ever getting to be a part of that first event in 2004. So it was decided that Martin would forever be a part of the tournament by putting his name on it.

Thus, the 4th annual Mike Martin Fishing Tournament returns to the Surf City pier on August 16 and 17. Participants are known to be coming in from as far away as Virginia and Michigan for the 6 a.m. start. Only 30 people have registered so far, but the other couple of hundred people who always participate will soon be signing up and trying to win prizes in up to 10 different fishing categories.

The person who catches the largest fish in any of nine of the categories will receive a one hundred dollar prize. Second place will net the runner-up a nice fifty-dollar award. The nine fish that bring in prizes are as follows: King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish, Sheep's Head, Flounder, Puppy Drum, Spot, Virginia Mullet, and Pompano.

Now for the fish of honor: the Speckled Trout! According to current Surf City Pier Manager Vinita Gass, this was Martin's favorite fish. Therefore, pier management originally made the biggest one worth $500. Since no one caught one last year, last year's unclaimed prize money has rolled over into a $1000 award for the person who catches the biggest Speckled Trout.

Participants can pay five dollars to enter one category or 40 dollars to be entered in all ten categories. But prizes will not just be given away for catching big fish. At least 50 door prizes will be given out at a rapid pace throughout the 36-hour tournament.

Participants (as long as they are present during the drawing) can win hotel stays, boat trips, restaurant certificates, t-shirts, and other merchandise from area businesses.

What makes this tournament unique is that people don't disappear from each other by boarding separate boats; they stay together on the pier - all night if they want to.

The pier has a no alcohol policy, but they also will be continuing their "taking care of their customers" policy. Gass says that the pier has secured cases of Pepsi and Coke, Maola Ice Cream, Cisco Chicken Fillets, and chips from Frito-Lay and Lance - all for their fishermen and fisherwomen.

The tournament is for all ages, and there will be special gift bags for the children. The bags will have candy and fishing related equipment in them.

Gass says there will be a weigh station right on the pier, so you can "bring 'em up wigglin' if you want." After that, competitors can do what they want: put them back or take them home. Whichever decision they make, people at the tournament can rest assured of one thing: it's just as Mike Martin would have wanted it. Surf City may have lost him due to his heart, but it has this annual get together for the same reason.

For more information call the Surf City Pier at 910-328-3521.

Author's note: In a previous article, Vinita Gass was referred to as the "Pier Wench." She has clarified that her official title is actually that of "Pier Witch." We comically regret the error.