The ninth annual Lines in the Lagoon Tri-County Junior Fishing Tournament reeled in 169 young fishermen, the largest catch since the seven-hour catch-and-release tournament was founded by local youth anglers.
Participants, from kindergarten through 12th grade, gathered for a captains’ meeting on Friday at White’s Tackle to prepare for the next day’s challenge, where they had a choice of fishing the lagoon by boat or from land. As they fished, they took and submitted digital photographs of their catches as proof of prowess before the fish were released back into the water.
“Lines in the Lagoon was formed by young men in ninth grade who were trying to do something to improve upon the Indian River Lagoon and gain volunteer hours,” said Edie Collins, board president.
The environmentally conscious teens and their families felt that the tournament would be a great way to raise awareness about the declining health of the lagoon – a 181-mile ecosystem once considered to be the most bio-diverse habitat in North America – and to develop the next generation of environmental stewards.
Having raised more than $180,000 over the last eight years, Collins noted that they have continued to grow the tournament through the support of funding groups such as Wheels & Keels.
After battling the elements, the windblown anglers gathered at American Icon Brewery for an awards ceremony and well-deserved refreshments, as their parents bid on auction items and purchased raffle tickets for a coveted Dragonfly paddleboard.
Oscar Sautreuil hooked the Grand Champion title with a whopping collective fish catch of 186 inches, comprised of redfish, snook and trout. Awards were also given for the largest sea trout, redfish, snook, and jack crevalle, youngest, ugliest (a toadfish) and mystery fish – a goliath grouper.
Proceeds from the tournament will be distributed to nonprofit organizations whose missions are focused on protecting the natural resources of the Indian River Lagoon, and promoting good stewardship by raising awareness and educating local youth about the importance of maintaining its good health. Recipients include conservation, protection and restoration-centric nonprofits such as the Ocean Research & Conservation Association and the Coastal Conservation Association.
For more information, visit linesinthelagoon.com.
Photos by Joshua Kodis
