Are your kids keen on fishing this summer?
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They might be interested in the annual children’s fishing competition hosted by the Kiama Gamefishing Club.
The event takes place at Kiama Harbour on Saturday, January 19
There will be six prizes for each division, based on the heaviest fish. A scoreboard will be at the weigh-in site and children can see how they are going in relation to winning each age division.
Up to 20 fish types have been caught in and around the harbour.
The main aim of the competition is to involve children in a healthy outdoor activity, while fund raising for a worthy children’s charity. Funds raised will be used towards providing an electronic whiteboard to assist with learning and education for disabled children at Peterborough Special School.
The competition takes place in Kiama Harbour, to both provide a safe environment and an even playing ground for all young contestants. Ladders have been installed around the harbour for easy egress.
Children who catch a fish must bring it to the weigh master in a bucket of water, to keep the fish alive and after weighing, and return the fish in the bucket to Kiama Harbour to grow bigger for next year. This will encourage children to practice “Catch n Release” as practiced by Kiama Game Fishing Club.
Minnamurra Lions Club will again be assisting with a charity BBQ. Children and their parents can purchase food and drinks through the course of the competition.
Organisers strongly advise parents to keep children hydrated and wear sun protection, including a hat.
Entry: $5 for under six’s. $10 for under 11’s and under 16’s. The first 200 children will receive a bucket and sample bag.
Bring: Your own fishing gear and bait.
Check in: 8am at the Jet Boat Shed and Kiama Boat Ramp.
Fishing time: 9am to 12pm.
Presentation: 12.30pm beside the boat shed on the grassed area.
The fishing club would like to thank its sponsors for donating prizes.
Its major sponsor is Shimano. The club is also supported by Bunning’s Hardware Shellharbour, Kiama Toy World, Ocean Storm Fishing Tackle Warilla, Minnamurra Lions Club, Kiama Municipal Council, Kiama Leagues Club, Red Rooster Kiama, Kiama Surf Life Saving Club, Bush Bank Wedding venue, Illawarra Financial Group, Eyestore Kiama and Rosebank Meats Kiama.
At last year’s event there was a good mix of locals and kids from surrounding areas.
More than 100 kids wet a line, catching wrasse, flathead, bream, yellow tail, flounder, red morwong and trevally. One of the kids even accidentally reeled in a stingray.