The inaugural Fireman John Memorial Fishing Tournament, held Saturday, Sept. 15, will benefit All Children’s Hospital in support of Florida SafePools to purchase life jackets for children.
Registration is $35 for adults and $15 for the junior division, for children 14 years old and younger. Prizes will be awarded to adults for first, second and third place trout and redfish catches and first and second place in juniors. A prize also will be given for the longest ladyfish.
Tom Merryweather and Dave Blanchard organized the catch-and-release tournament in honor of Pinellas Park Firefighter John Litz. Litz was an avid fisherman, who drowned after he fell from a boat while fishing with a friend in September 2011. He was not wearing a life jacket.
Participants may fish from boat or land, in the Gulf of Mexico or Tampa Bay at any time before the weigh in at 4 p.m., at the Fat Cat Tavern, 10608 U.S. 19 N., in the Tri-City plaza in Clearwater.
Participants also must attend a mandatory captain’s meeting Friday, Sept. 14, 6 to 8 p.m., at Fat Cat Tavern. During the meeting, they will be registered, receive their sponsor lures and measuring devices and get information on tournament rules.
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