About Us
The Eastern Shore (VA) Anglers Club was founded in 1961
by a group of local anglers whose goal was to organize a surf fishing
team to participate in the Cape Hatteras Anglers Club Invitational Surf
Fishing Tournament. It seems that a few local fellows were curious as to
the destination of numerous vehicles sporting long spinning rods and
heading south on old Route 13. Eventually, the driver of one of these
vehicles was asked where everybody was heading and the results of that
conversation ignited the spark that developed into the Eastern Shore’s
longest continual running angler’s club!
The early members must have known what they were doing, because in the
second year of competition, the local team placed second in the
prestigious tournament. Today, the ESAC team is considered among the
country’s top surf fishing teams, having captured the Hatteras
tournament title in 1994, 1996 and 2002. In addition, teams composed of
members of the ESAC captured the 1995, 1996, 1998, and 1999 Virginia
Beach Surf Fishing titles as well as the Tournament Top Individual
Angler Award in 1995 and 1998.
But there is more to this club than surf fishing; one of the club’s
primary functions is its annual fishing contest. This contest runs the
full year and is free to all members. Award are presented to the top two
heaviest entrees in each of 26 different species (fresh and saltwater),
plus certificates are given to members releasing any of 15 different
species. Eligible fish may be caught from the water of Delaware Bay to
North Carolina.
In addition, The ESAC awards special trophies for the
following categories: angler of the year, Outstanding Lady Angler,
Outstanding Junior Angler (male and female), Outstanding Catch, Release
Angler of the Year and Freshwater Angler of the Year. To be eligible for
the special trophies, an angler must attend two club functions a year.
These trophies, certificates, and award are presented at
the Annual Awards Banquet, which is customarily held on the first
Saturday evening in March. The banquet is an event in itself and
features an outstanding traditional Eastern Shore roast beef and seafood
dinner which is usually attended by several outdoor media personalities.
The ESAC also sponsors a series of monthly outings or one day
mini-tournaments. These outings feature a variety of targeted species
and angling methods which include largemouth bass/bluegill, spring
speckled trout, flounder, red drum, striped bass and (of course) barrier
island surf fishing.
These outings are usually free to members with the
angler supplying his own bait and tackle. When a boat is required, the
anglers chip in to cover expenses. The club usually has enough members’
boats to carry all of the participants. Outing participants accumulate
points and the three highest point winners of the year receive trophies
and merchandise certificates, which are also presented at the awards
banquet.
The club’s monthly meetings are held on the second Monday of each month
with the exceptions of March, July and August. The awards banquet serves
as the March meeting and everybody is busy fishing in July and August!
When possible, an interesting and informative speaker or how-to segment
is featured at each meeting. The meetings begin at 8:00 pm and are held
at the Accomack County Health Department at 23191 Front Street in
Accomac, Va.
The club’s current membership is approaching 500 and much of the club’s
success is due to its no frills approach and its ability to hold its
membership costs down to ridiculously low levels for individual or the
whole family! The membership runs the spectrum, from world class and
corporate-sponsored anglers to beginners who just want to learn about
where and how to fish the local water.
If you fall somewhere between these two categories of
anglers and are interested in becoming part of the Eastern Shore Anglers
Club, the club’s address is: ESAC, P.O. Box 415, Accomac, Va. 23301
