Doug Johnson Reeling For Kids Fishing Tournament, May 31 & June 1, 2018, Steinhatchee, Florida

The Doug Johnson Reeling For Kids Fishing Tournament is scheduled for May 31 & June 1, 2018, at Steinhatchee, Florida. Started over 15 years ago, the event has become one of the largest fishing tournaments on Florida’s Big Bend. It benefits the Boys and Girls Clubs of Alachua County, and just last year donated over $100.000 to the clubs.

The two-day event is usually attended by anglers (inshore and offshore) from the region.

The Reeling for Kids Saltwater Challenge was founded in 2003 by Doug Johnson and several volunteers, in conjunction with the Boys & Girls Club of Alachua County.

Doug grew up in the Northwest Boys and Girls Club in Gainesville beginning at age 5 and continuing through age 13. The Club played a vital role in developing social, academic and athletic skills for Doug and many other kids in Alachua County. Doug would later use these skills to obtain a scholarship to the University of Florida and play quarterback for the Florida Gators. He was then drafted out of high school in the second round and played third base for the Tampa Bay Rays. Doug would later move on to the NFL, playing for a combined seven years with the Atlanta Falcons, Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals. As an NFL player, Doug started this tournament to give back to his “Club” and to help young kids in Alachua County receive the benefits and help he received as a kid.

Reeling for Kids has become the primary fundraising source for the local Boys & Girls Clubs and has grown into one of the largest saltwater fishing tournaments on Florida’s Gulf Coast. 2017 was the biggest year to date!

Schedule of Events

Thursday, May 17, 2018 – Kick-off Event

Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium- Touchdown Terrace
157 Gale Lemerand Dr.
Gainesville, FL 32611
Time: 6:30-10:00 PM

Tuesday, May 29, 2018 – Captains’ Meeting 6:30 PM

SWAMP HEAD BREWERY

3650 SW 42nd Ave.

Gainesville, FL 32608

*If registered by May 28th you may pick up your Captain/Angler Bags up at the meeting

Thursday, May 31, 2018 – Tournament Check-In

Tournament Headquarters, The Estuary, open from 1:00–5:00 PM

(Boat Registration and Check-in)

*If registered by May 30th you may pick up Captain/Angler bags during this time

Captain’s Meeting at Roy’s Restaurant – 7:00 PM

*Any Captain registering on Thursday, May 31st may pick up bags at The Estuary

from 2:00-7:00 PM on Friday, June 1st or from 2:00-7:00 PM on Saturday, June 2nd

Friday, June 1, 2018 – Tournament Fishing Day One

Tournament Headquarters, The Estuary, open from 5:00-8:00 AM

(Boat Registration and Check-in)

Lines in at 6:00 AM

Captain/Angler Bag Pick-up at The Estuary from 2:00-7:00 PM

Weigh Station Open from 2:30-5:30 PM

Dinner with Friends from 6:00-8:00 PM at The Estuary. Open to all tournament participants.

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Saturday, June 2, 2018 – Tournament Fishing Day Two

Tournament Headquarters, The Estuary, open from 5:00-8:00 AM

(Boat Registration and Check-in)

Lines Out by 3:00 pm

Captain/Angler Bag Pick-up from 2:00-7:00 PM

Weigh Station open from 2:00-5:30 PM

Dinner with Friends from 6:00-8:00 PM at The Estuary. Open to all tournament participants.

Awards Ceremony 7:30 PM (time may vary) – The Estuary

Categories	1^st Place	2^nd Place	3^rd Place
Red Snapper	$1,500	$1,000	$500
Red/Gag Grouper	$1,500	$1,000	$500
King Fish	$1,500	$1,000	$500
Cobia	$1,500	$1,000	$500
Redfish	$1,000	$500	$250
Trout	$1,000	$500	$250
Spanish Mackerel	$1,000	$500	$250
“Open Fish”	Merchandise	Merchandise	Merchandise
Spotted Red Fish	Merchandise	Merchandise	Merchandise
Junior Angler Heaviest Fish Offshore	Merchandise & Trophy	Merchandise & Trophy	Merchandise & Trophy
Junior Angler Heaviest Fish Inshore	Merchandise & Trophy	Merchandise & Trophy	Merchandise & Trophy

Lady Angler Heaviest Fish Offshore	Merchandise & Trophy	Merchandise & Trophy	Merchandise & Trophy
Lady Angler Heaviest Fish Inshore	Merchandise & Trophy	Merchandise & Trophy	Merchandise & Trophy

Trout Stringer	1^st Place	2^nd Place
	$1,000	$500

*Master’s Offshore*	*1^st Place*	*2^nd Place*	*3^rd Place*
(1) Red Snapper	$5,000	$2,000	$1,000
(1) Red/Gag Grouper	This prize will be awarded to the boat with the heaviest combined weight of one fish from each of the identified species-ONE RED SNAPPER, ONE RED GROUPER, AND ONE KING FISH. Only legal fish will be considered. Any illegal fish brought to the Weigh Station will disqualify the TEAM.
(1) King Fish

Master’s Inshore	1^st Place	2^nd Place	3^rd Place
(1) Trout	$2,000	$1,000	$500
(1) Spanish Mackerel	This prize will be awarded to the boat with the heaviest combined weight of one fish from each of the identified species-ONE TROUT, ONE SPANISH MACKEREL, AND ONE RED FISH. Only legal fish will be considered. Any illegal fish brought to the Weigh Station will disqualify the TEAM.
(1) Red Fish

1. Only legal fish will be considered. Any illegal fish brought to the Weigh Station will disqualify the TEAM.

2. The Cobia board is open to inshore and offshore anglers for prize money

3. For the Offshore Master Awards and Inshore Master Awards, each species must be caught to win an award.

4. Junior and Lady angler fish much be identified by tie wrap prior to the fish leaving the boat…no exceptions.

5. No sharks and or stingrays allowed for open fish.

* Please refer to the Rules Section for Complete Rules and Tournament Information.

Please note that this link is to the 2017 rules. For any updates or clarifications, please contact:

Emily Simmons

Reeling for Kids, Inc. P.O. Box 382 Melrose, Fl 32666

352-284-1377

birdrack@windstream.net