The first 2013 Kids Fishing Tournament at the Boca Grande Fishing Pier drew 53 anglers who caught an estimated 35 fish Saturday.
On a day that started with a chill breeze threatening rain with the whiff of red tide in the air, organizers from the Lee County Parks & Recreation Department were concerned that only eight young anglers showed up with 10 minutes to go before the 9 a.m. start. But a late walk-up surge swelled the group of young anglers and the competition closed in warm sunshine with a cool breeze.
The overall winner for Biggest Fish in the tourney was Christopher Ryan, 13, of Port Charlotte, with a 16.5-point flounder, said tourney organizer Joe Wier.
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Ashley DeGraff, 9, of Warm Mineral Springs won the Biggest Fish award for girls.
Ashley DeGraff, 9, of Warm Mineral Springs won the Biggest Fish trophy for girls with a 15-point grouper.
Other award winners included:
Age group 10-15: Most Fish, John Darby of Phoenix, four fish; and Tyler DeGraff, Biggest Fish.
7-9: tie, Most Fish, John and Anna Parent of Fort Wayne, Ind., two apiece; and Alec Chrzanowski, Biggest Fish.
6-under: Most Fish, Mason McLoughlin; and Fisher Lach, Biggest Fish.
For more on the Kids Fishing Tournament, see the Jan. 10 edition of the Gasparilla Gazette.
