Ostego Bay Foundation’s Fourth of July children’s fishing tournament attracts crowd to Moss Marina

1 / 23

The Ostego Bay Foundation's children's fishing tournament brought out dozens of young anglers and their families to Moss Marina on Fort Myers Beach. Photo by Nathan Mayberg

2 / 23

Silas Schmucker, of Fort Myers Beach, goes to work off the pier at Moss Marina. Photo by Nathan Mayberg/Fort Myers Beach Observer

3 / 23

Fort Myers Beach Tarpon Hunters Club member Steve Johnson helps Fort Myers Beach fisherman Tucker Guidry unhook his red snapper catch. Photo by Nathan Mayberg

4 / 23

Silas Schmucker brings in a red snapper at Moss Marina during the Ostego Bay Foundation Children's Fishing Tournament on Fort Myers Beach. Photo by Nathan Mayberg

5 / 23

Nya Christenson, of Cape Coral, caught multiple red snappers at Moss Marina during the Ostego Bay Foundation children's fishing tournament on Fort Myers Beach. Photo by Nathan Mayberg/Fort Myers Beach Observer

6 / 23

Sonny Gomez-Khan, of Fort Myers Beach, shows off her toadfish. Photo by Nathan Mayberg

7 / 23

Lincoln McMillan, of Fort Myers, caught a spadefish at Moss Marina during the Ostego Bay Foundation Fourth of July children's fishing tournament on Fort Myers Beach. Photo by Nathan Mayberg

8 / 23

A catfish gets weighed at the Ostego Bay Foundation children's fishing tournament at Moss Marina. Photo by Nathan Mayberg

9 / 23

10 / 23

The annual Fourth of July children's fishing tournament organized by the Ostego Bay Foundation, was a week early this year at Moss Marina. Photo by Nathan Mayberg

11 / 23

12 / 23

13 / 23

14 / 23

15 / 23

16 / 23

17 / 23

18 / 23

19 / 23

20 / 23

Lilly Vermeul brings in her red snapper to the weighing station at Moss Marina during the Ostego Bay Foundation Children's Fishing Tournament on Fort Myers Beach. Photo by Nathan Mayberg

21 / 23

22 / 23

23 / 23

[expand]

close

Young anglers were catching fish left and right at the annual Fourth of July Ostego Bay Foundation Children’s Fishing Tournament at Moss Marina in Fort Myers Beach this past weekend.

The catch and release tournament, organized by Ostego Bay Foundation Marine Science Center President Joanne Semmer, brought out more than 60 participants. The event was held a week early this year due to the planned parade for the upcoming weekend.

Red snapper, catfish and snook were among the top catchers.

The longest fish went to 10-year-old Frank Gant, who brought in a 25-inch snook.

The Fort Myers Beach Tarpon Hunters Club assisted in weighing and measuring the fish, and assisting the young anglers with unhooking their fish and taking care of their catches.

The Fort Myers Beach Tarpon Hunters Club made a donation for the tournament, and also donated trophies and prizes, including rods, reels, bait buckets, nets and tackle boxes.

Semmer thanked “all the volunteers and community partners that made this annual kids fishing tournament possible and a success. And thank you to Moss Marina for hosting this event for the kids and families and made it such a wonderful day.”

Ostego Bay Foundation Children’s Fishing Tournament winners:

First Fish Caught  – Teybern Aqulera age 10 

1st Place longest fish – Frank Gant, age 10 (25″ snook)

2nd Place longest fish – Robert Hraha, age 5

3rd Place longest fish – Vincent Harah, age 12

1st Place heaviest fish – Gavin Todd, age 15

2nd Place heaviest fish – Nathaniel Hraha, age 3

3rd Place heaviest fish – Cash Miller, age 8

1st Place most fish – Adriane Kenny, age 9

2nd Place most fish – Matthew Aguilera, age 13

3rd Place most fish – Achseo Kelly age 13