Johnnie Mercer’s Pier Dogfish Tournament
The 20th annual Johnnie Mercer’s Pier Dogfish Tournament took place on Saturday, February 1, drawing anglers eager to participate in this popular community event. While the main goal was to catch the heaviest dogfish, the tournament also celebrates the camaraderie and support for the pier.
The event was held on a beautiful 60-degree Saturday, as the group of 125 anglers and 275-300 attendees gathered for the opportunity to walk away with one of the top prizes for landing the largest dogfish shark of the day.
The tournament rules were the same as previous years, allowing anglers to use only one rod at a time, with a maximum rod length of 10 feet. The event started at 1:00 pm after a photo session and reading of the rules, and the fishing ended at 8:00 pm.
However, even though February 1 was a warm Saturday, due to the extended cold weather this winter, and the recent snow, no dogfish were caught, but the spirit of the event remained high.
The 2025 Johnnie Mercer’s Pier Dogfish Tournament, held on February 1, attracted 125 anglers and 275-300 attendees, but no dogfish were weighed in this year.
Due to the lack of dogfish, the tournament organizers held a drawing for the top prizes. Paul Donahue won the first place prize of $900, Kelly Nelson took second place and $541, and Michael Maddox was drawn for third place and received $360.
In addition to the cash prizes, there were several raffle prizes, including a TV, a cornhole board, and, as every year, a custom handmade fishing rod crafted by Mike Cowan, the rod repairman at Tex’s Tackle. This year’s tournament was sponsored by Coca-Cola, Coastal Beverage, and Adams Beverage who all made contributions towards the prizes.
Despite the slow fishing, the strong community support always makes the event a success. Pier Owner Matt Johnson noted that after several years of hosting the Dogfish Tournament, it has become clear that the event is not just about the biggest dogfish but about bringing everyone together for a winter reunion. Anglers and supporters enjoyed the day of fishing and camaraderie, reinforcing the tradition of the Johnnie Mercer’s Pier Dogfish Tournament.
More information on the event, including several videos, can be found at www.facebook.com/johnniemercerspierfishing.
