TBF’s REEL KIDS
EVENT
hosted by the
New Jersey Bass
Federation
On January 13 and 14, 2007, the New Jersey Bass Federation
(NJBF) hosted its first casting events at the New Jersey
Outdoor Sportsman’s Show in Edison, NJ under the new
casting program, sponsored by The Bass Federation Inc.
(TBF), called “TBF’S REEL KIDS.” Some
children who participate in the casting events have never
had the opportunity to go fishing or even hold a fishing
rod. Casting events are a great way of getting children
interested in fishing. At the casting events, we try to
instill the zeal we have for fishing and the outdoors in
children and promote sportsmanship and conservation as
well, because we all know that the youth of today are the
future fishermen and fisherwomen of tomorrow.
The “TBF’S REEL KIDS” casting events are open to children between the ages of 8 and 15. The children who compete in the events and are separated into two age groups: 8 to 11 and 12 to 15. During each event, participating children are given hands-on instruction in three (3) basic techniques that can be used to present a fishing lure: Flipping, Pitching and Casting. The participating children then aim for a target and attempt to get their lure to land on the target by using each of the three (3) basic techniques referred to above. Depending where on the target the lure lands, each participant is awarded points for the best presentation of the lure in each of the three (3) basic technique categories. At the end of the event, the participant in each age group with the highest total score in all three (3) basic technique categories is announced the winner of the event. In the event of a tie, a cast off is held. The participants who are tied are each allowed one opportunity to cast at the target. The participant that gets the highest score on the cast is then declared the overall winner.
The NJBF held three separate casting events on January 13th. The first casting event of the day concluded with a little extra excitement as there was a tie in the 8 to 11 age group between Kenny Dembia and Brian Garcia, which necessitated a cast off. Brian Garcia won the cast off and was declared the overall winner. In the 12 to 15 age group the winner was Steven Kovacs.
The second casting event winners were Austin Scrivani in the 8 to 11 age group, and Peter Vereb in the 12 to 15 age group.
The winners of the third event of the day were Ryan Vanderham in the 8 to 11 age group, and Grant Rybnicky in the 12 to 15 age group.
On January 14th the NJBF hosted two more casting events. The winners of the first event of the day were Mackenzie Cullen in the 8 to 11 age group and Neil Llona in the 12 to 15 age group.
In the final event of the two-day casting event hosted by the NJBF, the winner in the 8 to 11 age group was Justin Hess. Justin’s brother, Nicholas Hess Jr., was the winner in the 12 to 15 age group.
After competing in an event, all participants were presented with a Certificate of Participation provided by the TBF and plastic fishing lures donated by the NJBF.
After each event, the overall winners in each age group were also presented with a TBF/FLW Partners in Fishing hat, a spool of Berkley fishing line and a Mann’s Stone Jig, all donated by the TBF, as well as a tube of MegaStrike fish attractant donated by Bobby Uhrig of MegaStrike, Inc. The NJBF donated packages of Berkley Power Bait lures and $15 Wal-Mart gift certificates, which were also presented to the overall winners in each age group. As an extra bonus prize, the winners of the casting events on Saturday also received an autographed fishing profile card from New Jersey resident and Professional Fisherman Pete Gluszek, who generously took some time out of his busy schedule to congratulate the winners and chat a bit about the great sport of bass fishing. Thanks Pete for supporting the NJBF and today’s youth!
On behalf of the NJBF, I want to thank all the participants who competed in the casting events and congratulations to the overall winners.
Through the efforts of the NJBF and the many volunteers who helped with the casting events over the two-day period, a total of 82 children were given instruction on how to flip, pitch and cast. For some children, participation in a casting event is an introduction to fishing. For other children, it is a way to practice their fishing techniques or learn a technique that they are not yet familiar with, ask questions about fishing and share their fishing experiences, and get information about joining a junior bass fishing club.
This two-day casting event was a great success and was made possible through the efforts of the NJBF, its members and volunteers, along with the support the NJBF receives from the TBF/FLW Partners in Fishing, and working together to promote and advance the sport of bass fishing through today’s youth.
A special “thank you” to the volunteers, whose hard work and support was greatly appreciated:
Jim Bartolatto, Raritan Valley Bassmasters
P.J. Bartolatto, Raritan Valley Bassmasters
Earl Carlson, Next Generation Junior Bassmasters
Bob Gilbert, South Jersey Hawg Hunters
Guy Giordano, Bass Busters
David Meehan Sr., Riggin-N-Jiggin Junior Bassmasters
Bob Napoli, Raritan Valley Bassmasters
Joe Poms, Limiters and NJBF Show Coordinator
James Stewart, Riggin-N-Jiggin Junior Bassmasters
Marti Stewart, Riggin-N-Jiggin Junior Bassmasters
Jeff Stewart, Raritan Valley Bassmasters
Gary Voss, Next Generation Junior Bassmasters
Janice Voss, Next Generation Junior Bassmasters
Jeff Voss, Next Generation Junior Bassmasters
Finally, a casting event can be hosted by any NJBF adult club that is interested in getting more children interested in fishing and showing its support for today’s youth. If any NJBF adult club is interested in hosting a casting event, please feel free to contact me. I would be happy to assist you in organizing your casting event.
Submitted by: Forest R. Honeywell, III
Youth Director
New Jersey Bass Federation
