August 31, 2012
By Jeff Weakley
A unique bass tournament trail in South Florida is set to wrap up its tenth season this fall, with plans to resume in January 2013.
The not-for-profit Bass Fishing Kids youth series has been featured in Florida Sportsman Magazine on more than one occasion. Founders Gary Waingrow and Bob Newland started the event in Broward County, with shore-fishing tournaments held at county parks. Over the years, the series expanded to include Palm Beach, and now includes an end-of-season event pitting the top 5 anglers from each county in a team shootout, in November. Director Waingrow, of Sunrise, said this year saw about 100 kids participating in the two county series, with an average of 40 to 60 at each event. There are two divisions, small fry (ages 5 to 10) and junior (11 to 17). The cost to participate in the 2012 series was $25 per child, for the whole season. And, that included a goody bag with tackle from the many sponsors.
"On September 29, we're holding a parent-and-child team tournament at Quiet Waters Park," said Waingrow. "You fish together as a team, and we give out prizes, including $100 gift certificates from Gambler, and a grand-prize trolling motor." Corporate sponsor Shakespeare has been providing rod-and-reel combos for first through third place finishers.
For complete details, see www.bassfishingkids.com