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The Asbury Park City Council unanimously approved a sports activity concession at Deal Lake during Wednesday night’s meeting.

The approval makes way for Deal Lake Dock Company, a new venture by Marilyn McGarvin and her husband Brian Watkins.

The couple will offer kayak, canoe, and paddle board rentals as well as guided fishing tours from the Main Street Boat Ramp [at Seventh Avenue].

Half of the vessels will be outfitted with rod holders and the guided tours will feature a spotlight of the wildlife. The couple are also working to offer a paddle lunch package that will include a meal at Loch Arbour’s McGillicuddy’s Lakeside Tap House. Also in the works will be a sunrise and sunset yoga class.

New to the area will be a bait and tackle truck.

“There’s no local place for freshwater fishermen to get tackle,” Watkins said “We will feature artificial lures crafted locally by small business owners, as well as live worms.

Another component of the venture will be administering the Hooked on Fishing Not on Drugs program by the NJ Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Fish and Wildlife. Through a $5,000 grant, the city’s youth will learn not only about the ecosystem and selective harvesting – which fish they can catch and take home and which they will need to release, but also how to be good stewards of their local environment.

They will also work in conjunction with the Deal Lake and Sunset Lake commissions to maintain stewardship of the water bodies.

McGarvin, who is the operation lead, said the service will be up and running next month. Currently, the couple plan to be open Tuesday through Sunday, with Mondays reserved for the youth program.

Deal Lake Dock Co. offerings include:

Kayak, Canoe rentals for $22 per hour, $80 for four hours, and $150 for a full day [8hrs]

Paddleboards will be $20 per hour, $75 for four hours, and $140 for a full day [8hrs]

Guided Rentals will be an additional $25 per hour, applicable for four hour and full day rentals only. This will include a Deal Lake Dock Co. employee bringing individuals or group out on the lake to see specific landmarks, wildlife, and lakefront home.

Guided Fishing tours will be available for $200 a day on the company’s boat or $150 a day on your boat.

For more information, call 973-800-9566, email deallakedock@gmail.com, or visit deallakedock.com.

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