Island youth participate in the Daniel Island Kids Fishing Tournament
The 6th Annual Daniel Island Kids Fishing Tournament, sponsored by the Daniel Island Inshore Fishing Club and Presented by Scout Boats, took place on Saturday June 18 at Smythe Park. Around 70 participants, ranging in age from 4 to 15, competed. Both boys and girls spent the day fishing with their families, mainly fathers and all enjoyed this special event on Fathers’ Day Weekend.
While this year’s event is classified as the 6th annual fishing tournament, the competition has been running for 10 years with one competitor being involved from the start. Madison Catlin first competed at the fishing tournament at just 5 years of age with her grandfather, retired Colonel Phil Bernstein. The colonel had to fill in in 2006 while Maddie’s father was stationed in Iraq and every year since Maddie has been by the lake with her grandfather and mother trying to get a bite.
Maddie said, “I like coming to the tournament with my grandpa, because we get to spent time together. And I like fishing because it makes me relax. Spending time being outdoors is so great.’
While she didn’t land a fish this year, her last year of eligibility, you could not wipe the smile off her face as she sat lakeside.
Awards were given for longest fish in three species: Largemouth Bass, Panfish and Mullet, as well as an award for the longest “mystery fish”. The grand prize went to the person that caught the longest of the three species. Winners are named below. The first catch of the day went to Evan Nussbaum with a 6½” Blue Gill Brim, which was caught with a worm. Everyone cheered on as Evan reeled in the first catch of the day.
In the Largemouth Bass Category, in the 4-9 age group, first place went to Max Passante with a thirteen inch fish. Max was the only person to catch a Largemouth fish during the tournament, in both age groups, and therefore was a stand-alone winner.
In the 4-9 age group Panfish category, Jackson Muller claimed first with a 9” Panfish followed by Jason Ghalupsky at 9” and Rocco Walker at 8 ¼”. In the 10-15 age group Emma Mullen took first with a 7.5” catch. Emi Lagadinos and Sully Conroy took 1st runner up and 2nd runner up respectively with 6.5” and 6.25” fish.
The champion award for the Mullet in the 4-9 age group went to Jackson Mackey with a 20” Mullet. Second was Kyle Thaxton at 18 ½” followed by his brother, Tucker Thaxton, at 16”. In the 10-15 age division, Sully Conroy claimed first with a 19” Mullet, followed by Emi Lagadinos and Luke Delpit with 16 ¾” and 13” respectively.
The Award for the longest “mystery fish” went to Nate Bronson with a 15” Eel.
The Grand prize for the longest overall fish went to Jackson Mackey with a 20” Mullet. Jackson won a half day fishing trip for two people with Capt. Greg Peralta. Jackson said he would be taking his dad along with him that day.
A $2,000 check was presented to Jay Brown and Garry Keisler of the East Cooper Chapter of the Coastal Conservation Association as a thank you and to help support its mission. The amount was raised through sponsorship.
The fishing event was organized by Fred Danziger with the help from The Daniel Island Community Fund and the Daniel Island Property Owners Association. The presenting sponsor of the event was Scout Boats. Capt. Greg Peralta was the Grand Champion sponsor. Publix donated snack bags and waters for the children as their lines were called out of the water and the results were tallied. Other sponsors included Daniel Island Real Estate, Longshore Boats, Sea Tow of Charleston, The Charleston Angler, Japan Karate Institute, Daniel Island Business Association, Crescent Moon Orthodontics, Coastal Kids Dental, Rotary Club of Daniel Island, Daniel Island Dental Group, Qwik Pack and Ship, Z-main Lures, SCDNR and Orlando’s Pizza.
Everyone is already talking about next year’s Annual Daniel Island Kids Fishing Tournament.