By Laurie Thomas Vass Special to The Brunswick Beacon
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Back row. From left to right: Karen Eads, Jill Fox, Gary Massey, Steve Pendergrass, officer of the Club, Mark Batchelor, Club Computer Guru
Front row: left to right: Donna Roberts, Teresa Massey
Sunset Beach Fishing Pier opened for the 2025 season on March 1, and dozens of local anglers lined up early to buy their season pass and try their luck, on a cold windy day. Gary and Teresa Massey, owners of the pier, expressed their gratitude for the support shown by their ardent patrons.
Anglers began lining up at the entrance to the pier 30 minutes before the 9 a.m. opening bell, and many of them pulled their fish carts out on the pier to try their luck, after a long, cold winter delay in fishing.
From left to right: Mike Shannon, Club President, Joe Niland, winner of the coveted golden spoon, Alan Trojan, second place, Mike Griffin, Club Chef, third place.
The Sea Trail Fishing Club held its first seafood competition for the “Golden Spoon” bragging rights for the club’s best cook on Feb. 15 at the Pink Palace in the Sea Trail development.
Winning Dish Recipe of Golden Crisp Fried Shrimp Handed Down Over Family Generations
Laurie Thomas Vass
Sunset Beach, N.C.
The Sea Trail Fishing Club held the first annual seafood competition for the “Golden Spoon” bragging rights for the club’s best cook, on February 15, 2025, at the Pink Palace, in the Sea Trail Development.
Mike Shannon, the club’s President, noted his surprise and pleasure at the 15 seafood dish competitors, who entered the competition.
“Our club is aiming at becoming a vibrant part of the Sunset Beach social environment, and the level of interest in our seafood cookoff shows a great community response.
Shannon added that about 45 people attended the event, and noted that almost every scrap of food had vanished by the end of the competition.
Alan Trojan, the event organizer, and an entrant in the completion, explained that each person who attended the event was given 5 green tickets to vote for any of the competitors by placing a ticket in the competitor’s cup.
“I was pleased to come in second place with my bacon shrimp chowder,” noted Trojan, “because the competition was fierce.”
At the end of the ballot counting, Joe Niland clearly won , with 39 votes, for his old family recipe for golden fried shrimp.
left to right Mike Shannon, Joe Niland, the winner, Alan Trojan in second place, Mike Griffin, third place]
“I battered and basted my shrimp, bought fresh from Bill’s Seafood, before I arrived at the Pink Palace, and then cooked my dish outside before I went in to the competition.”
“My shrimp was still steaming hot when I brought it in, and the response by the attendees seemed to indicate their approval,” he added.
One of the rules of the competition was that the winner would share their recipe with the attendees.
Niland’s recipe is:
“Our club wants to have more social events like this one,” said Shannon, “and we are considering how to expand this type of cooking competition in the Fall to invite more people to compete and eat.”
left to right Melinda Rose and Tricia Munn, enjoying the seafood completion
Alan Trojan mentioned that the club’s next social event is a celebration of the opening of the Sunset Beach Pier, for the 2025 season, on March 1, 2025.
“Our club wants to support the businesses and groups that support the recreational fishing community,” said Trojan. “Sunset Beach Pier has been one of our biggest fans, and we want to promote their business by hosting a celebration at their parking lot entrance to welcome people back to the Pier for 2025.”
“We invite all members of the fishing community to come and celebrate with us on March 1, 2025,” Trojan added.
About Sea Trail Fishing Club: The Sea Trail Fishing Club (STFC) is a non-profit organization focused on promoting fishing and fellowship amongst its members. The annual membership dues are $20, and people can join at the club’s website at https://seatrailfishing.com
The Club accomplishes its mission through member social interactions, seminars, guest speakers, and Club outings. Contact us at: SeaTrailFIshingClub@gmail.com
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About Laurie Thomas Vass: Vass is a constitutional economist and author, and the Director of Public Relations for the Sea Trail Fishing Club. She is an avid fisherwoman who plies the inland waters in her 10 foot Old Town peddle Kayak. Her favorite seafood dish is a local old family recipe of golden fried shrimp. https://gabbypress.com
Sea Trail Fishing Club 
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