Hook your kids on fishing
By Ryan Seeloff
The Sykes Creek Adventures Family Eco-Festival held on February 19th at Kiwanis Park on Merritt Island started off with a Hook Kids on Fishing clinic sponsored by Brevard County's own Anglers for Conservation.
More than 60 kids participated in the clinic and each one received a rod/reel combo and a stocked tackle box donated by the Fish Florida Foundation. Each child had to complete a circuit of six stations (Hooks and Rigging #1, Hooks and Rigging #2, Safety and Rod Handling, Casting Basics, Boating Safety, and Conservation) to receive both items.
Coastal Angler Magazine's Publisher Capt. Rodney Smith handled the conservation station teaching each child the value of preserving our natural resources.
After the clinic each child was allowed to put their new gear and skills to the test from the shores of Kiwanis Island using pieces of shrimp for bait. Within a few moments of the bait hitting the water the first fish of the morning was landed by Jason Radlein. Not to be outdone, his younger siblings Jacob and Jenna soon landed their own fish.
Photos courtesy of the Radlein Family
Other fish were landed during the clinic, but this trout was possibly the largest of the morning.
Anglers for Conservation hosts a series of "Hook Kids on Fishing" clinics throughout the state each year. Here is a listing of upcoming clinics in the Sunshine State.
Feb 26 - Beachside Hook Kids on Fishing Satellite Beach - 9am-11am
March 19 - Sixth Annual Jensen Beach Hook Kids on Fishing Indian River Park - 9am-11am
March 25 - Mudhole's Hook Kids on Fishing Orlando
April 2 - Third Annual Sebastian Hook Kids on Fishing Riverview Park - 9am-11am
April 16 - Titusville Hook Kids on Fishing Program
April 30 - Second Annual Apopka Foilage Festival Hook Kids on Fishing Apopka
May 7 - Fourth Annual Edgewater Hook Kids on Fishing Kennedy Park - 9am-11am
May 14 - Punta Gorda Hook Kids on Fishing Program
May 21 - Kiwanis Park
TBA - First Annual Palm Bay Hook Kids on Fishing
June - Hernando Beach First Annual Hook Kids on Fishing
Oct 15 - Fourth Annual Punta Gorda Hook Kids on Fishing Punta Gorda's Fishermen Village - 11am-1pm
To learn more about Hook Kids on Fishing and the other programs Anglers for Conservation is involved with visit their website http://www.anglersforconservation.org.
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