BEACH HAVEN – A 21-year-old Barnegat woman recently made big waves by clinching the Top Lady Angler title at the 55th Beach Haven Marlin & Tuna Club White Marlin Invitational Tournament.
Fishing aboard the 35-foot scout, Charco, with Team Char Co. Sportfishing, Madison Meyers hooked a massive 46.9-pound yellowfin tuna. Her impressive catch didn’t just win her the top female spot – it also scored points for her team. The captain and owner of the Charco is Chris Drago.
Madison said she made her catch with a Wolfpack tackle tungsten head rigged with a ballyhoo. She also relayed information that went beyond securing the Top Lady Angler title.
“The yellowfin tuna I caught won our boat ‘Charco’ the heaviest fish daily for Thursday (one of the tournament days),” said Madison. “We won the heaviest tuna in the outboard only division.”
Madison stands with her team with a sign announcing the size of her catch. (Photo courtesy Jillian Houser)
In this tournament, Madison chose to donate her fish. However, she often brings her catches home, finding the taste of fresh seafood both delightful and rewarding.
A third-generation angler, fishing runs deep in Madison’s veins. Her grandfather, Jim Meyers, is a commercial fisherman and owns Sea Watch International, a fleet of clamming vessels. Her father, Jason Meyers, owns the Miss Maddy, a scallop boat out of Atlantic City. He was the one who first introduced Madison to fishing, sparking her lifelong passion.
“I’ve been fishing since I’m a baby,” Madison proudly proclaimed. “I don’t even remember the first fish I ever caught.”
Madison’s connection to outdoor sports extends beyond fishing. She’s also an avid hunter, skilled with both a shotgun and a bow and arrow. Over the years, Madison has taken down deer, ducks, and turkeys. Generally, these activities go beyond just a sport; they’re about bringing home a meal.
Duck tends to be the one exception as far as their appeal to Madison’s tastebuds.
“They’re not really that good,” she admitted. “I mostly feed them to my dog; she loves them.”
When Madison isn’t fishing or hunting, she’s focused on making strides towards a professional career as a certified public accountant. A 2021 graduate of Barnegat High School, Madison is pursuing a dual bachelor’s/master’s degree in accounting at Stockton University. She currently works at an accounting firm.
Making Headway In Male Dominated Sports
Madison’s victory underscores a growing trend in outdoor sports. Women are increasingly making their mark in traditionally male-dominated fields.
A longfin tuna Madison Meyers caught last year in New Jersey. (Photo courtesy Madison Meyers)
The US Fish and Wildlife Service included some interesting demographics as part of its 2022 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation. For starters, they found that around 22 percent of men aged 16 and older went fishing, compared to ten percent of women.
During the year 2022, the report estimated that 31 percent of the 39.9 million anglers in the United States were women, which equates to over 12.3 million. That number’s up since the 2011 survey, which said that of 33.1 million anglers in the country, 27 percent were female.
An organization called “Take Me Fishing” claims the numbers are even higher, with females representing 36 percent of total anglers. Interestingly, this group also conducted an analysis of crossover activities.
Madison is among a small group of women who engage in both fishing and hunting – only 17 percent of women participate in both activities. According to the 2022 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, women make up 22 percent of all hunters in the U.S., totaling about 3.1 million. The same survey reports from 2011 approximated that only 11 percent of hunters or 1.5 million were female during that year.
Madison Meyers in Costa Rica with her first sailfish. (Photo courtesy Madison Meyers)
Madison’s story is more than just about winning a tournament. It’s about breaking barriers and inspiring others. Her success in both fishing and hunting proves that women can excel in these traditionally male-dominated fields. Madison Meyers is setting a powerful example and showing that with passion and dedication, anything is possible.
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