Shriners are hooked on helping kids

By Carrie A. Mizell

The fish were biting Saturday morning near Hart Springs, much to the delight of 32 young anglers who fished in the 23rd Annual Gold Hook Award Kids Fishing Tournament.
Sponsored by the Suwannee River Shrine Club, the annual tournament provided the perfect opportunity for children, ages 5 to 16, to fish on the Suwannee River with a parent, grandparent or family friend.
According to Will Allen, who organized the 2010 tournament, over $9,200 was raised on Saturday, all of which will go to Shriners Hospitals for Children.
The fishing tournament began at 6 a.m. as participants launched their boats from the Hart Springs ramp. Though the weather was hot, the occasional burst of wind provided a little relief for the anglers, several of whom returned to the boat ramp with rosy red cheeks.

In the 9 to 12 age group: Corey Dukes received a trophy for Largest Boat Weight, Jarrett Cannon pulled in
the Largest Bass and Zachary Thomas caught the Largest Trash Fish and Largest Bream.

Despite a broken fishing pole, Bailey Pace, 10, of Crystal River, reported having a good time at the tournament.
Likewise, Madison Gallman, 7, of Branford, was only too pleased to weigh in the large Gar she caught while out fishing.
“The fishing part is okay, but when we get the trophies is my favorite part,” Madison explained.
Upon hearing this, Madison’s cousin, Blake Adams, also 7, rolled his eyes before saying that he, himself had caught a mess of red bellies and even a large trash fish.
Though the bags the children hauled their fish to shore in ranged from plastic storage bags and grocery bags to Williston Peanut sacks and professional fishing bags, the young anglers all had one thing in common, a big smile and an anxious stance as they waited patiently in line for their fish to be weighed in.

Bags from Williston Peanuts were filled with fish
including large gar like the one pictured above.

The Shriners provided hot dog lunches to each of the participants, which included a drink and a bag of chips. As in past years, the Shriners also gave each participant a free watermelon. The watermelons given away this year were donated by Rantz Smith, Billy Smith and Josh Moore.
Each participant took home a participation trophy. Trophies were also given away in each age category: 8 and under, 9-12 years, and 13-16 years. Those trophies went to anglers who caught the Largest Bream, Largest Bass, Largest Trash Fish and Total Boat Weight.
In the 8 and under division, Logan Pace caught the Biggest Bass, while Savannah Dukes brought in the Biggest Bream, and Jessie Parker had the Biggest Trash Fish and Biggest Total Boat Weight for the entire tournament.
In the 9 to12 age category, Jarrett Cannon caught the Biggest Bass with a solid 3 pounder. Zachary Parrish brought in the Biggest Bream and Biggest Trash Fish, while Corey Dukes had the Biggest Total Boat Weight for the category. It was a big day for Corey Dukes! Corey’s boat number was drawn as the winner of the free Thruster trolling motor being given away by the Shriners. Corey and his family were delighted with the outcome of the tournament, and though 2010 marked Corey’s first time taking part in the Gold Hook Fishing Tournament, chances are good that it won’t be the Trenton boy’s last time participating.
Mill Lang caught the Largest Bream in the 13 to 16 age category. Tristan Harvey brought in the Biggest Bass, and Austin Rhoden had the Biggest Total Boat Weight.
While the hot dogs were reportedly good, and the fishing was undeniably great, the memories the children made while out on the water spending time with a loved one, fishing for a good cause, will leave a lasting impression.