Pine Island Elementary fishing tourney hooks the young — and young at heart!
The Matlacha Hookers announce the 12th Annual Pine Island Elementary Fishing Tournament and Derby will take place on Sunday, Oct. 17, at the Olde Fish House Marina, located at 4530 Pine Island Road Northwest in Matlacha. The event will be staged from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m.
The event will feature a fishing tournament for adults and a derby for children. Live music will be featured throughout most of the day as well as children’s face and T-shirt painting, silent auction and Chinese auction, a cast net raffle and a 50/50 raffle and a fish fry at 4 p.m.
All proceeds will be donated by the Matlacha Hookers to Pine Island Elementary.
“This is the 12th year the Matlacha Hookers have been sponsoring this fishing tournament and derby," said Sandra Bruner, PIE Fishing Tournament and Derby spokesperson. "Since the events’ inception, we have generated over $100,000 for the school.”
“Last year’s tournament and derby earned $9,000 that was used to purchase new library books. This year, we are hoping to exceed that amount,” she added.
The Adult Angler’s Tournament is from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. Anglers from any area are encouraged to partake. The cost is $50 per angler and includes a t-shirt and fish fry dinner. There can be up to four fishing in a boat and kids can enter. Anglers can also fish off any dock. There is a $500 prize for three categories, the heaviest legal mangrove snapper, redfish and trout and a $1,000 grand slam prize.
Anglers are on their honor to leave their dock at 7 a.m. and return to the Olde Fish House Marina for weigh-in at 3 p.m.
Registration forms for the adult angler’s tournament can be obtained online at matlachahookers.org and clicking on the tournament link or can be picked up at Seven Seas Marina in Matlacha, Old Pine Island Marine and Tackle, St. James City, or Four Winds Marina in Bokeelia.
The Kid’s Derby is from 8 a.m.until 2:30 p.m. Registration fees are $30 for PIE students and $35 for kids from other elementary schools. Children who are registered for the derby will receive an arm band entitling them to a free fishing pole and lunch including a hot dog or hamburger and beverages provided by J.D. Hollway of the Waterfront Restaurant in St. James City.
The derby will have three age groups: The Shrimp Group, featuring kindergarteners and first-graders fishing from 8 to 10 a.m.; The Pinfish Group, featuring second and third graders fishing from 10:15 a.m.- 12:15 p.m.; and The Shark Group, featuring fourth and fifth graders fishing from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
First, second and third prize trophies for each group will be awarded for weight as well as for the fish caught that looks most like the principal of Pine Island Elementary.
There also will be a drawing for two 20-inch bicycles and two 24-inch bicycles that will be awarded to two boys and two girls.
Registration forms for the Kid’s Derby and Adult Tournament can be obtained online at www.matlachahookers.org and clicking on the tournament link. Children can also register day of the event.
Call 239-283-3706 for more information.