DALLAS Children of all ages and skill levels are invited to compete in the fifth annual Free Kids Tournament this month, June 30, at Lake Arlington.
The Tarrant Christian Bass Club holds this free event every year and usually attracts 80 to 90 youngsters and their parents.
"We do all the legwork and we have sponsors that come in, and because of their generosity every kid who signs up walks away with about $50 to $70 worth of merchandise whether they win or not," said Paul Jeffcoat, promotional director for the Tarrant Christian Bass Club. Sponsor donations include rods and reels, fishing tackle, T-shirts and caps, with the winners receiving trophies and gift cards. The participants also receive free hot dogs and drinks.
The competition is divided into six age groups ranging from 3 to 17 years old and two divisions, shoreline and boaters. "All kinds of kids show up," said Jeffcoat. "About 25 percent fish off the shoreline because their parents don't own a boat. Other kids show up at 5 o'clock in the morning and launch the boat while their parents are back in the tow vehicle. That is awesome to see these kids at a young age being able to handle boats like the adults do."
The club has invited the Wish to Fish Foundation to join the activities this year. The charity organization provides a deck boat for taking underprivileged handicapped or terminally ill children fishing.
The tournament is one of many events Tarrant Christian Bass Club holds for youngsters. "We have about 30 members who all show up for the tournament," said Jeffcoat. The club also conducts four to five CastingKids events throughout the year and promotes youth activities at boat and tackle shows.
"On the Texas Fishing Forum Web site, people who send in messages say they are quite surprised at the things our club does for the number of club members that we have," said Jeffcoat. "They assume we have about 100 members in our club because of all the different things we do throughout the year for kids."