By josh davidson
Staff Writer
CHRIS KELLY The New Jersey Fishing Show, created by John MacAdam (l) and Gary Cogland, will debut on Comcast’s CN8 on July 6.
MATAWAN — A borough resident is using a cable access channel as a vehicle for his television and fishing passions.
The New Jersey Fishing Show, started by Gary Cogland, 36, of Matawan, and his partner, John MacAdam, will debut on Comcast’s CN8 on July 6.
"It’s going to have the fishing elements and the human elements, and lastly, as we close out the show, it’s going to have a cooking lesson," Cogland said.
The show will also be sent to some Cablevision subscribers.
Approximately 1.4 million viewers in northern and central New Jersey will be able to view it.
"The production quality is going to be tremendous, because the people involved in this are television production people first and residents of Monmouth County and fishing people second," Cogland said.
The show’s staff is made up of New Jersey residents with television background and an interest in fishing, he said.
"We have lots of supporters between talent consultants and lots of people involved in the fishing community in New Jersey," he added.
Cogland said he and his supporters saw an opportunity for a fishing show in New Jersey because of its large waterways.
Places with fewer bodies of water have fishing shows, he said.
For instance, Cleveland has no oceans but still has shows of the type, Cogland noted.
"There are so many adventures you can have in this 127-mile coastal state that we live in," he said. "We want to let people know that there many ways to embrace this recreational activity."
Tina Cervasio, the show’s host, was hired because she is new to fishing, according to Cogland.
The partners want viewers to see the show’s host learn the sport as the show progresses and see how an average person can develop into an experienced fisherman, he explained.
Cervasio handles field reports and post-game interviews for NFL Sunday Ticket on the National Football League’s Direct TV channel.
Co-host Gerry Zagorski already has fishing experience, Cogland said.
"What’s great about those two is that there is a great chemistry," he said. "So together and separately, they host our show and they kind of play off each other in a very nice way."
To use the channel, time was bought from Comcast.
The group is also responsible for producing the show and finding sponsors.
Comcast provides the channel for a fee.
The first season might not be profitable, but further seasons might be if more financial supporters are added, Cogland said.
It is difficult to make a profit from cable access shows, which might be why there are so few, he said.
"It’s really more about putting on a great show for New Jersey and to fulfill a need that exists in this area (than profit)," Cogland said.
He said fishing was chosen because of the partners’ interest in it.
"I’m completely a recreational fisherman," he said. "It’s not a diehard activity of mine, but I enjoy it."
Television experience is as important as quality fishing to make the show work, he said.
On average, it takes two to three days to tape a show, during which six- to eight-hour fishing trips are taped.
The show’s goal is to tell the fishermen’s stories, Cogland said.
The host and co-host will ride in the boat with area fishermen.
"They are pretty long days we’re putting in sometimes," Cogland said. "Because we enjoy it, it doesn’t seem like much time for us.
"After we show people how to catch these fish, we go to our sponsors’ restaurants and have their chef show how to prepare and grill these caught species," he added.
Boats will be focused on as well, and fishing on party boats will be part of the show, he said.
Party boats are large boats in the marina that allow passengers to choose a spot and fish without a reservation. Rods and other equipment can be rented.
"They’ll take you out to where the fish are and you will pay a pretty modest amount of money," Cogland said.
The small cost allows people who might not have otherwise been introduced to the sport to try it, he explained.
Cogland started fishing with his father while living in Brooklyn at about the age of 4.
Early on, his dad tricked him into thinking he was a master fisherman by sneaking fish onto his pole when he wasn’t looking.
"It turned out my dad kept putting the same fish on my hook," Cogland said. "I didn’t realize it, but at the time, I thought I was catching a lot of fish."
His interest in fishing developed nevertheless.
"Despite the fact that I was duped, I developed a passion for this," he said.
Cogland also went out fishing with his grandfather, who passed away when he was young, he said.
"He had a passion for it, and I think that’s where my passion comes from," he said.
Cogland said he thinks of his grandfather when he fishes.
Now it is something he shares with his own family. He said the time his family members spend waiting for fish gives them the opportunity to joke around and talk.
"Fishing is secondary when you’re with your family," Cogland said.
The half-hour show will air Sundays at 11 a.m.
The show may lead to other outdoor shows by the group, Cogland said.