Anglers still signing up for annual Root Fishing Tournament
As of last week, fishermen who want try test their skills catching and photographing their catch before releasing it during the 10th annual David Lee Root Jr. Memorial Fishing Tournament were still signing up for the event.
Dave Root, owner of D&D Bait and Tackle, began the tournament many years ago because of a car accident that took his son’s life in 2001. The benefactor changed over the years due to his son, Dustin, being involved in a car accident in Punta Gorda that required the air services of the Trauma Center at Lee Memorial Hospital.
The money that is raised for the event this year, as well as the last nine years, will go to the Trauma Center at Lee Memorial Hospital. Root said they wanted to donate money to the center because it saved their son’s life.
So far the tournament has raised $109, 935 for the Trauma Center.
The tournament will kick off with a captain’s meeting at 6 p.m. Friday,at D&D Bait and Tackle, which will include food.
The fishing tournament, which is for snook, redfish, trout and a mystery fish, will be held Saturday beginning at 7 a.m. The anglers can fish from wherever they want, as long as they take a photograph of their catch and are back between 3:30 and 4 p.m. for the weigh-in.
Registration will remain open until the captain’s meeting Friday. It is $50 per angler and $25 per youth angler 12 years old and younger.
Those interested can call D&D Bait and Tackle at 239-282-9122, or visit www.pineislandbait.com or www.davidleerootmemorial.com to register.
In years past the event has attracted as many as 60 boats and 200-250 anglers.