VERO BEACH — For more than 20 years the Kiwanis Club of the Treasure Coast has hosted its highly popular Take a Kid Fishing event to get youngsters outdoors and doing something fun yet healthy. On Saturday, 172 eager anglers ages 5 to 12 who had signed up for a free morning of fishing under the Merrill Barber Bridge were vying for prizes and squealing with delight as they hoisted their hauls.
Fishing poles, bait and even a cookout lunch afterwards were all provided through the funds raised by the Kiwanis members and a donation by the George E. Warren Corporation – all so that children could fish up a storm and have fun no matter their level of experience.
Kiwanis members and volunteers all had their assignments – Chester Clem passed out fishing poles, while others filled red cups with bait shrimp for each angler. Ginny Benton and Heather Dean manned the registration booth and kept track of the fish stats. Al Sammartino and Kiwanis President Carl Fetzer radioed to them from the fish review table as they measured and counted fish before volunteers removed hooks and threw the catches back in the river.
Giggles and laughter echoed under the bridge as little ones fished alongside parents, grandparents and friends, catching a variety of sea life including stone crabs, pinfish and lots of red snapper.
“When people ask me why I do this every year I tell them to close their eyes and just listen,” said Sammartino.
“Al is the Grand Marshall of Take a Kid Fishing,” said Fetzer. “This is really a special event. You come out here and see these kids catch a fish – sometimes for the first time. That’s just a great thing to see.”
Gustavo Sandoval caught a 17-inch barracuda and brought it to Sammartino to measure, exclaiming excitedly, “I caught one other fish already!” He claimed the secret was to look for fish in the tall grassy area along the shore.
As Trace Schasaney, 8, watched the barracuda being measured, he said he was sure that would be the winning fish. While fishing with his mother, Christina Allen, he caught a spiny blowfish and was rewarded with the plaque for Ugliest Fish.
“He is so excited,” said Allen. “This is such a good outdoor activity for the whole family.”
Prizes were awarded for Biggest Fish in the 8 & under and 9-12 age groups to Emery Gonzalez and Gustavo Sandoval respectively. Most Fish 8 & under and 9-12 went to Hunter Gasbarrini and Madison Cincerella. The Smallest was a 2-inch fish caught by Isabel Ogilvie.
The Kiwanis is an international organization which makes it its mission to serve the needs of local kids. Currently, local membership stands at 33 and the club are looking for others, including women, to get involved.
“Everything is about the children, all our projects and scholarships are to make kids’ lives better,” said board member Jeff Meyer. “We do Take a Kid Fishing just so they can have fun and smile.”
