Annual kid’s fishing tournament hits the Bonita Bill’s dock July 1
The annual Fourth of July Kid’s Fishing tournament will take place along the water’s edge of Bonita Bill’s Waterfront Cafe Saturday, July 1.
For 25 years this event has been presented by the Ostego Bay Foundation and Marine Science Center in cooperation with many local businesses including Bonita Bill’s , Key West Express, Fisherman’s World, Semmer Electric, Tarpon Hunters Club, First Citizens Bank and Bean, Whitaker, Lutz and Korah. Funding was also provided by many other community partners.
For many, we never forget the memories of the excitement of something nibbling on the line and landing that first little trophy. The Ostego Bay Foundation helps create this memory.
This free family event where our area children, assisted by Dads, Moms, Grandpa’s and Great Great Grandpa’s, Aunts and Uncles were challenged to catch the largest, the smallest, the most, and the most unusual catch. Prizes include trophies, rods and reels, bait buckets, tackle boxes and fish nets.
The fishing contest begins at 9 a.m. and runs through noon with three rules: One pole per child, one hook per pole and have fun. Enjoy lunch at noon with hot dogs, chips and cookies followed by the awards, all without cost to the participants.
Joanne Semmer, president of Ostego Bay Foundation states, “The goal of this event is to bring families together and introduce our children to the excitement and wonder of our marine life. With lessons learned, they shared the beauty of our natural area. We are grateful to all our community partners who share our ideals and continue their support every year which makes this event possible and creates lasting childhood memories.”
Not to compete with the many other Fourth of July festivities, the fishing tournament is always held the Saturday before July 4th and has become a family tradition on San Carlos Island.
About the Ostego Bay Foundation Marine Science Center
Founded in 1991, the Ostego Bay Foundation Marine Science Center is a self funded 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote the understanding, preservation and enhancement of our unique marine environment through education, research and community involvement.
Visit OstegoBay.org to learn how you can become a member or call 239-765-8101 to learn more about the Ostego Bay Foundation Marine Science Center.