Kids fall for fishing in Lakewood Ranch — hook, line and sinker

Lakewood Ranch 5-year-old Olivia Mikos was sitting on the shore of Lake Uihlein, patiently watching her bobber.

Even though she had yet to catch a fish during the annual Youth Fishing Tournament on March 25 in Lakewood Ranch, her mother already was impressed.

"She is learning patience and that's tough for a 5-year-old," said Olivia's mom, Sabrina Mikos. "There is a lot of delayed gratification in fishing."

The event was hosted by the Lakewood Ranch Anglers Club and Lakewood Ranch Community Activities. A week earlier, the same two groups hosted a clinic to teach the kids basics about fishing. Those who participated received a free rod and reel.

"I was very impressed (with the clinic)," Sabrina Mikos said. "It was very well done and it they gave out a lot of information. This is a great way to expose (the kids) to the Florida fishing life. And I am learning, too."

The tournament had 68 kids register this year, more than double from a year ago.

"We can introduce them to something that is not an iPhone or an iPad," said Robert LaVopa, a member of the Lakewood Ranch Anglers Club who giving the kids tips during the tournament. "We get them outside in nature and they can learn something they won't learn in the classroom."

While the fishing was rather slow for most of the morning, members of the Lakewood Ranch Anglers Club, such as Secretary Nancy Frederick kept saying that it's just part of the sport.

"We are just excited to see them out here," Frederick said. "Now they are using the information that we gave them. And this is a lifetime sport."

Palmetto's Lola Johnson brought her 5-year-old daughter Freylin to Lakewood Ranch after she found out about the tournament.

"She wants to fish and I thought this was cool," Lola Johnson said. "I know absolutely nothing about fishing, but they provided a rod for her and they are here to help."

Lakewood Ranch's Tara Robinson it was just another of the many nice activities offered by Lakewood Ranch Community Activities.

"My daughter (9-year-old Sofia) has been asking about fishing and I don't know anything about it," Tara Robinson said. "She is an animal and nature lover."