Don't Spare the Rod

Dad-of-all-trades Tom Levine reveals timeless tips for getting youngsters involved in the great Florida outdoors--plus a list of family-friendly fishing areas. See the July 2007 issue of Florida Sportsman, now on newsstands. Click here to see a schedule of organized youth events for this summer.

All Summer:

International Game Fish Association Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum, 300 Gulf Stream Way, Dania Beach, FL 33004 (www.igfa.org). Great place for a tour of the museum dedicated to the history of sport fishing. Center also offers 1-hour programs for groups of 20-30 children, on topics ranging from fishing techniques to fish biology, Monday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call (954) 924-4309 for questions on youth education.

Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center, south Hutchinson Island, Stuart. (www.floridaoceanographic.org) Indoor and outdoor displays featuring local sealife and gamefish; nature walk; Gamefish Lagoon. Mon. - Sat. daily stingray and gamefish feedings, starting at 10:15 a.m., and again at 1:30 p.m.; 12 p.m. Sun. Summer weekend programs: snorkel Bathtub Reef, July 7, 12 and Aug. 4, 18; 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon. Seine Indian River Lagoon, July 14, 28; Aug. 11, 25; 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon. Cost $5 members, $8 non members. Reservations required: (772) 225-0505, ext. 101

The Pier Aquarium, 800 Second Ave. NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 (www.pieraquarium.com). Open Mon. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., Sun. noon - 6 p.m. Ecotours available on certain days; call (727) 895-7437.

Some Kids Fishing Events:

June 30: Cape Canaveral, FWC Kids' Fishing Clinic, Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal #4, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.; (850) 488-6058

July 14: South Florida Kids Bass Fishing Trail tournament, C.B. Smith Park, Broward County, 7:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. To register, call (954) 924-4247 or visit www.igfa.org/sfjc_rules_dates.asp

Aug. 7-9: FWC Kids' Fishing Clinic, West Palm Beach; call (850) 488-6058.

Sept. 8: FWC Kids' Fishing Clinic, Port Salerno; call (850) 488-6058.

Sept. 15: South Florida Kids Bass Fishing Trail tournament, Tradewinds Park, Broward County, 7:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. To register, call (954) 924-4247 or visit www.igfa.org/sfjc_rules_dates.asp

Sept. 15-16: West Palm Beach, Florida Sportsman Fishing Show, South Florida Fairgrounds; Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Sept. 29-30: Tampa, Florida Sportsman Fishing Show, Florida State Fairgrounds, Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Oct. 13-14: Miami, Florida Sportsman Fishing Show, Miami-Dade County Fair and Exposition, Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.