The Lakewood Ranch Angler’s Club taught new fishers the lines at the 2016 annual Youth Fishing Tournament.
On Saturday, Feb. 27, children and anglers collected around Lake Uihlein to see what they could reel in for the catch and release competition. The event was organized by Lakewood Ranch Community Activities and Lakewood Ranch Kiwanis Club sponsored lunch for participants. Approximately 133 children registered for the event.
“I grew up fishing all my life,” said Virl Mullin, an Angler’s Club member. “I think it’s great for kids to learn how to fish.”
The bait of the day was a small, dark-colored rubber worm, according to club founder Red Bailey. Four bass were caught with similar bait.
Michael Johnson of Lakewood Ranch baits a hook with a worm.
Hayden, Michael and Eli Johnson of Lakewood Ranch get their rigs ready to cast.
Isabella Juliano of Lakewood Ranch casts her line.
Dylan Hector of Sarasota
Collin and John Freeman of Lakewood Ranch
Bill and Shawn Spegal of Sarasota
Cody Schlise of Riverview hunts through the tacklebox. He and his family visited his grandmother, Janet Cole, in Lakewood Ranch.
Karla Owens of Ellenton helps with her daughter Elizabeth's rod.
Stephen Murray of Mill Creek helps his done Benjamin for his first time fishing.
Alex and JJ Lopez of Lakewood Ranch hope for a bite.
Kaitlyn Schlise of Riverview with Grandma Janet Cole of Lakewood Ranch
Elijah and Tammy Fraatz of Lakewood Ranch
Lakewood Ranch resident Tammy Fraatz and her son, Elijah, came to the tournament with her father's old tackle box. "He was an avid fisherman," she said.
Angler's Club member Virl Mullin shows Jennifer and Josiah Minton of East Bradenton a different kind of bait to use to try and catch a fish.
Angler's Club members Bob Pokorn, Tony Saviano and Bill Carroll admire Saviano's Tenkara Co. rod.
Angler's Club member Tony Saviano shows off his Tenkara rod. The rod is a method of fishing that is 2,000 years old and originates from Japan, he said. Unlike a typical rod, the Tenkara has no reel.
