Kids can catch fish and win prizes, too! The Virgin Islands Game Fishing Club’s annual Kids Fishing Tournament will take place on Saturday, Oct. 4. Check-in at IGY’s American Yacht Harbor Marina in Red Hook, St. Thomas starts at 8 a.m. Fishing is from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., with Awards presented at Noon. Kids aged 14 years and younger can register for FREE at www.vigfc.com. Space is limited this year. The first 100 kids will receive a free event T-shirt. Handlines, buckets, and bait will be provided. A parent or guardian must accompany all junior anglers. Club members will be on hand at the dock to offer fishing tips.
“The love for fishing starts from a young age. Our Kids Fishing Tournament gives young people, aged 14 and under, a chance to showcase their skills, bring their winning fish to the scales, and be announced as the top angler. Fishing teaches patience and the understanding that not every day will be a catching day. It is great to see the families come out with the kids to support and encourage them. Most of our members started fishing with their parents, just as I did. We put on this annual tournament to help keep that love and interest going with our future generations,” says TP Danet, tournament co-director.
The catch will be officially weighed by the Department of Planning and Natural Resources’ Fish & Wildlife Division professionals. Kids are encouraged to be conservation-conscious and release their catch after it has been weighed.
There will be free pizza sponsored by Island Time Pub, and drinks and snacks after fishing and before the Awards. The Kids Fishing Tournament is sponsored by the Virgin Islands Game Fishing Club, American Yacht Harbor Marina, Lattes in Paradise, DPNR’s Fish & Wildlife, Neptune Fishing Supplies, and the Island Time Pub. Additional sponsorship is welcome. For more information, call (340) 775-9144 or Email: usvigfc@gmail.com
