Q: What is the mission of PJSA?
A: Our goals include:
- Provide a forum for developing new friends with similar interests.
- Build an organization to help saltwater anglers build a personal
network for high quality/accurate fishing information.
- Build an organization where members can share fishing outings aboard
other member's boats to help one another expand their fishing knowledge
and experience.
- Creating a compelling educational program, with venues including
members educating members and guest speakers that bring valuable expertise
and knowledge to PJSA members.
- Supporting charitable causes that are aligned with the interests
of PJSA members.
Q: Who are PJSA's typical members?
A: PJSA is made up of owners of offshore-capable boats who fish
saltwater through the year; their regular and experienced crew; and anglers
who may not currently have offshore boats but have both a keen interest
and skills that align with PJSA's mission.
Q: Who can join PJSA?
A: PJSA is a club designed for avid boat fishermen who fish inshore
and offshore ocean waters off New Jersey. Our club is not focused on
bay, surf or fresh water fishing. If your interests are strongly aligned
with our goals, you may be a candidate to join PJSA.
Q: Must I own a boat to join PJSA?
A: No, a boat is not a prerequisite. Our bylaws call for members
that own offshore-capable boats and members who do not. Our goal is
to build a club that is highly relevant for fishermen who have a common
set of interests that focus on ocean fishing from boats. We have members
who have very strong backgrounds as a crew member or a professional
captain operating a party or private boat, but do not own their own
boat, and others who are still learning the ropes of fishing offshore.
Q: I am looking to join the crew of an offshore fishing boat.
Can I find that opportunity here?
A: Maybe. The primary goal of this club is to help avid fishermen
build their personal network, which could lead to the opportunity to
fish aboard other members' boats. However, paring boat owners with crew
members is not a direct goal of this club.
Q: I don't have a lot of experience with offshore and wreck fishing,
but I am very interested in learning more about this. Would the club
be a good fit for me?
A: Quite possibly. While we are looking for experienced fishermen
to participate in our club, we often bring new members into our group based on
their interest and ambitions. We do like to share our expertise with
new fishermen, and have several members that "grew" into the club after
joining.
Q: Is this club also a social club?
A: We're a fishing club first and foremost. At current time,
the we have only one "social" event each year (our August barbeque). All other activities
we have planned are related to fishing.
Q: What if I fish only freshwater waters, or the surf?
A: The goal of PJSA is to focus on wreck fishing and offshore
saltwater fishing from aboard boats. As a result, this club probably
is not the right fit for you.
Q: Where is the club based?
A: Many of the anglers in PJSA live in Western NJ and Eastern
PA, which is where most of the club meetings will be held. However,
we welcome anglers with similar interests who reside further away.
Q: Where are meetings held?
A: Winter meetings are held in Bucks or Montgomery Counties in
Pennsylvania; summer meetings may on occasion be held at shore locations.
Regular meetings are held in Langhorn, Pa., easily accessible
from the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and from Routes 1 and 95. Directions can be found here
- but make sure to check with us before showing up to make sure we have
not relocated a given meeting.
Q: How many people are in the club?
A: As of spring 2007, we have 39 active members, most of whom have been with us
for 3 years or more.
Q: How old is the club?
A: PJSA can trace its origins back to 2001, with the first meeting taking place in February 2002.
Q: How did the club get started?
A: The genesis of PJSA can be traced back to a brief classified ad that Joel Harnick ran in the fall of 2001 in The Fisherman magazine. Joel was looking to expand his fishing network and perhaps the only guy to respond to the ad was Al Gillen - who called largely because the number listed was local to the Philadelphia suburbs. Joel and Al got together for some wreck fishing that fall, and over a couple of dinners during the winter, came up with the idea to form a club based in the Delaware Valley. Our first formal "meeting" - if it can be called that - took place in February of 2002 when 5 anglers showed up and helped shape the mission of the club. In a matter of months, PJSA had taken form and was off and running, with our first rigging clinic taking place in August 2002 with a "huge" attendance of 12 people. by early 2003, our first tournament - the now classic Offshore Bragging Rights series was put in place.
Q: What upcoming events are planned by PJSA?
A: See our calendar of events.
Q: Why can't I get access to the club's message board to see the calendar and fishing reports?
A: Our message boards are private to club members. If you are a club member and have not yet signed up to access the board, you can do so here: PJSA Message Boards. Club members that are having
trouble accessing the boards should contact Al Gillen at algillen@yahoo.com
Q: How many tournaments does PJSA Run?
A: As of 2007, we have three different tournaments... in the spring a Wreck tournament (currently in its fourth year), during the summer months we run our Offshore Bragging Rights Tournament (now in its 5th year), and in the fall we run our Striper Tournament (currently in its second year).
Q: Can I participate in PJSA Tournaments if I am not a member?
A: Entry into PJSA tournaments is limited to PJSA members, however, non-members fishing aboard a boat owned by a PJSA member - that is entered in a PJSA tournament - are eligible to compete.
Q: What is the cost of membership
A: Membership cost is modest, at $50 per year.
Q: I don't think this is the right club for me, but I'd like
to attend an upcoming meeting because the topic really interests me.
Can I come?
A: Sure -- non-members are welcome to attend meetings. We do
ask you to contribute a small fee to help cover costs associated with
running our meetings.
Q: I'm interested in getting involved. What is my next step?
A: Instructions for submitting a membership application can be
found on this page. Also, look
at our schedule of events to see when our next meeting will be held.
Q: I have more questions. Who should I contact?
A: Visit the Who's Who Page to reach
one of our club officers, or visit our about us
page to find the best method for you.
