Matlacha Hookers to host 13th annual Pine Island Elementary Fishing Derby
Four bands have signed on, the auction items are piling up and the fish are just waiting to be hooked during the 13th annual Pine Island Elementary Fishing Tournament & Derby at the Olde Fish House Marina in Matlacha Sunday, Oct. 23.
This year’s charitable event will once again cater to children and adults with fishing and other activities, a fish fry, a raffle and a Chinese and silent auction. Hosted by the Matlacha Hookers women’s service organization, it helps purchase books and technology equipment for the Pine Island Elementary School.
Registered children are invited to participate in games, face-painting, T-shirt-painting, the fishing derby in three age divisions, lunch and a trophy awards ceremony. Cost for non-PIE students is $35; for PIE students, $30 (sponsorship available for those who cannot pay the fee.)
The following live bands will perform throughout the day: 9 to 10:30 a.m., Kip & Friends; 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Rick & Danette from Stringtown; 1 to 2:30 p.m., Aimee Linn & Charlie Kuchler; and finally from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., The Yard Dogs.
Tournament registration fee for adult anglers is $50, which includes a free T-shirt and the fish fry. Prizes of $500 are awarded for heaviest legal mangrove snapper, redfish, and trout; $1,000 for heaviest legal slam.
Fishing starts at 7 a.m.; weigh-in is at 3 p.m. Registration is Saturday, Oct. 22, from noon to 6 p.m. in a tent staked across the street from Olde Fish House Marina.
Participants can also pre-register at partner businesses: Miceli’s Restaurant and Seven Seas Bait & Tackle in Matlacha, Four Winds Marina in Bokeelia and Monroe Canal Marina and Old Pine Island Marine & Tackle in St. James City.
For kids sponsorship and registration forms or more information about the fishing event or donating auction items, visit www.matlachahookers.org or call 239-282-1442 or 239-283-3706.