- February 27, 2016
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Bradenton 6-year-old Vincent Wang gets some tips from Robert LaVopa of the Lakewood Ranch Anglers Club during the annual Youth Fishing Tournament March 25 at Lake Uihlein.
Photo by Jay HeaterLakewood Ranch 5-year-old Olivia Mikos enjoys her first time fishing during the annual Youth Fishing Tournament presented by the Lakewood Ranch Anglers Club and Lakewood Ranch Community Activities.
Photo by Jay HeaterConnor Barreiro, a Mill Creek 6-year-old, has been fishing since he was 3 years old. His long casts showed he already is a solid fisherman.
Photo by Jay HeaterPalmetto 5-year-old Freylin Johnson and her mom Lola Johnson gets used to the new rod that she received for participating in the fishing clinic and tournament hosted by the Lakewood Ranch Anglers Club and Lakewood Ranch Community Activities.
Photo by Jay HeaterLakewood Ranch 9-year-old Sofia Robinson has the relaxing part of fishing all figured out in the annual Youth Fishing Tournament in Lakewood Ranch.
Photo by Jay HeaterCharlie Wormuth, 11, says he is going for bass during the Youth Fishing Tournament at Lake Uihlein in Lakewood Ranch.
Photo by Jay HeaterSixty-eight anglers registered for the Youth Fishing Tournament that was hosted by the Lakewood Ranch Anglers Club and Lakewood Ranch Community Activities on Lake Uihlein.
Photo by Jay HeaterSome of those fishing chose to hike down the banks of Lake Uihlein to get away from the pack.
Photo by Jay HeaterThe young anglers were trying all kinds of bait and lures but it was mostly a quiet day in terms of pulling in fish.
Photo by Jay HeaterEast County 11-year-old Yavid Justiniano thought he might have caught a fish, but actually he was snagged on the bottom of the lake.
Photo by Jay HeaterJullian Hittle shows off the 17.5-inch bass he caught during the Youth Fishing Tournament at Lake Uihlein in Lakewood Ranch.
Courtesy photoLakewood 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."
