Town fishing contest set for June 20

The Town of Miami Lakes’ Annual Father’s Day Fishing Tournament will happen on June 20 this year, but organizers expect fewer anglers while the coronavirus continues to threaten residents’ health.
Usually around 75 dads and kids show up with their poles.
Still, the tradition will go on, and the town’s lakes and canals are full of fish just waiting to be caught.
Apparently, the angler to beat is a little girl, “who always wins because she gets the smallest or largest fish every year,” said Neill Robinson, chair of the town’s Cultural Affairs Committee, which organizes the contest.
That Saturday morning, 50 free fishing kits will be waiting at town hall for residents to pick up.
The kits – a bucket with 12 live bait fish, an oxygen tablet to keep them alive for four hours and a ruler to measure catches – will be provided by One Stop
Marine in Miami Gardens.
In addition to fishing with six or more feet between contestants, an honor system will be followed.

Fishing begins at 9 a.m. and ends by 2 p.m. and may happen only during the five hours of competition.
No judges will observe the contest.
Winners will be chosen in eight different categories: youngest fisherman; oldest fisherman; smallest fish caught; biggest fish caught; most fish caught; best overall fisherman and best fishing team.
Lines must be dropped in waterways within town limits.
All catches should be measured with the ruler that is supplied in the kit.
Fish must be released immediately and must be alive.
Photos of catches have to be sent by 4 p.m. to
https://bit.ly/FathersDayFishingTournamentDriveThroughEvent to qualify.
And there’s more than bragging rights involved: The winner of each category will receive a $25 gift card from the Miami Lakes Sports Shop.
Miami Lakes
Communications
Director Clarisell De Cardenas said sales at local bait and tackle shops have increased during the pandemic.
Residents went fishing when parks, beaches and other amenities were shut down for three months to prevent crowds and slow the spread of the virus.
De Cardenas said residents were looking forward to the tournament, even though they’ll have to practice social distancing.
“This is an indicator that people are looking for ways to stay connected to nature and enjoy the beautiful lakes in our town,” she said.
Register for the tournament at https://www.eventbrite.com/o/town-of-miami-lakes-16984437611, one ticket per household.
The bait kits may be picked up at town hall on Saturday, June 20 at 6601 Main St., from 8 a.m. until 9 a.m.