Volunteers on mission to take children fishing

It's been 10 years since the first "Kids Wishin' To Go Fishing" event was held. The brainchild of retired Police Sgt. Don Dixon and former sporting goods owner Wayne Lee was put together to give children an opportunity to experience a day on the water that could change their outlook on life.

Dixon and Lee sought out a person they felt could organize such an event and the rest is history. Well-known sportsman Doug Houston grabbed the project and took off, with the assistance of the Mobile Police Department, South Alabama Salvation Army, local businesses and volunteer boat owners. After a police escort to Dauphin Island, the children are given a rod and reel, tackle box and ice chest to keep fish in. They also receive a T-shirt and cap, plus lunch on the boat.

"Our whole goal was to get these children on the water, away from the troubles of everyday life, and concentrating solely on fishing," Houston said.

Houston said great fishing expertise is not needed to participate, simply a will to help a child learn to fish.

"These kids are just as excited to catch a croaker as a king mackerel," he said.

If you have a boat and would like to volunteer to take a child fishing in the event on Saturday, contact Houston at 602-1919.

-- KAYAK FISHING: The kayak has suddenly become the rage for inshore anglers who are sick and tired of crowds and ridiculous gas prices.

Several owners of kayaks proved they could land fish during the inaugural Mobile Bay Kayak Fishing Association tournament held last weekend. William Eastburn had the top flounder at 3.1 pounds, and Alan Bishop had the best speckled trout at 3.2.

The club plans to have another tournament in the fall to be held out of the Five Rivers kayak facility on the Causeway.

For more information about the club, visit www.mbkfa.com.

-- FIGHT FOR CANCER TOURNAMENT: When Gary Paul and his wife, Michele, had their son Brandon, they did not know cancer would soon disrupt their lives forever. Just a few months after Brandon was born, his mother succumbed to the disease.

Gary decided to do something to help find a cure. As the owner of Tackle This, Shoot That Outdoor Outfitters, Paul figured he needed to do something he knew a lot about, and that was fishing. Last year, he started a tournament in his wife's memory.

"I hope anglers will come out and support the tournament," he said. "The proceeds (after prizes) will go to the American Cancer Society. Cancer touches us all and we need to find a cure."

The inshore categories are speckled trout, flounder and redfish. Offshore categories are dolphin, king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, red snapper, vermilion snapper, triggerfish, grouper and amberjack.

The tournament is scheduled for Saturday, with weigh-in at Dauphin Island Marina. For more information, contact Paul at 633-5464 or 510-0363.

-- OH BOY! OBERTO

ALL-STARS COMING: Thirty teams of professional redfish anglers will be vying for a $60,000 top prize July 6-8 in the 30-boat Oh Boy! Oberto All-Star event out of LuLu's in Orange Beach.

Local angler Larry Kirby will be in the field fishing his home waters with his partner Gritter Griffin.

"I anticipate tough summertime conditions," Kirby said. "However, these guys are the best at what they do and that's catching redfish. I figure a lot of the teams will make the 300-mile round trip to Louisiana waters in search of really big fish.

"Gritter and I think it will take about 24 pounds-plus over two days to make the championship round the final day."

In the championship round, the top five teams will start from scratch.

"We have been catching plenty of fish, just not the right size," Kirby said. "The fish I have been on are a good ways away."

Contact Mike Thompson at:

nwt@zebra.net