On Saturday, April 21, 2012, the Clearwater Branch YMCA held their 11th annual Clearwater Flats Fishing Tournament (Kids Fishing Rodeo) on Clearwater Beach’s Pier 60. The YMCA of the Suncoast’s Kids’ Fishing Rodeo is organized to give children the opportunity to fish in a non-competitive environment. The event is a day of catch-and-release fishing for ages 5-12. For a $10 donation, anglers received a rod and reel, bait bucket, t-shirt and lunch. Scholarship recipients fished for free!

On April 21, a manatee entertained pier visitors, frolicking in the water from the garden hose on the bait table.

Make A Difference Fishing Tournaments host 2 annual tournaments at Pier 60 for “special anglers.” The first Saturday in October is the date for “special anglers” under 18 years old and November for 18 years and older.

The 2011 adult tournament was held November 5th starting at 8am.

Event Photos:

Make A Difference Fishing Tournament held it’s 17th Annual Kid’s Tournament on Saturday, October 1st starting at 8:00 AM. Young anglers enjoyed fishing from Pier 60 located in sunny Clearwater Beach, Florida. Celebrities in attendance included the Thrashers mascot, Phinley.  The Coast Guard performed a helicopter search and rescue demonstration for the crowd. Trophies were awarded in several interesting categories, including prettiest, and most unusual, fish.

Make A Difference Fishing Tournament is dedicated to helping handicapped children through fishing tournaments and other programs that facilitate the involvement of handicapped children in marine education and recreation.

The annual Adult Make a Difference Fishing Tournament was held on November 6, 2010. The weather was cool and windy, but a big crowd showed up for a day of fun and fishing on Clearwater Beach’s Pier 60.
To learn more about the Make a Difference Fishing Tournament visit their website.