Instead of kicking back and relaxing on the eve of the first official practice of the FLW Tour season, pros Mike Surman and David Dudley spent part of their Saturday pitching in at a children’s fishing tournament in south Florida.
Bass Fishing Kids, Inc., a non-profit organization, held its season opener at CB Smith Park in Broward County, where Surman and Dudley were on hand to give the kids tips and share some fish stories. More than 25 kids, ranging from 6 to 17 years old, participated.
“I am proud to be a part of this program,” Surman said. “The kids really are good anglers and they know their stuff. The parents come out and support their kids. They even cart their gear around the lake and more. It's great they support their kids and their love for fishing. It's something they can enjoy together long after the kids are full grown and out of the house.”
It was the first of nine tournaments this year – seven qualifying events and a wild-card leading up to the Kid’s Classic, where participants in two age groups (up to 10 and 11-17) compete for a Tracker Pond Prowler boat along with a Minn Kota trolling motor.
“Mike has done a great job with this program,” Dudley added. “(Tournament director) Gary (Waingrow) and his crew have really worked hard and it shows. Between the running of the events and tracking down sponsors, I know it has to take a lot of time. The kids are what it's all about. They are the future of more than just our sport and to see them put their energy into something positive like this is really awesome.”
