FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. - June 11, 2007 - When celebrity anglers found out that the fundraiser for C.A.S.T. for Kids (C.A.S.T.) was cancelled, they joined together to ensure that more than 30 disabled and disadvantaged children from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Lee County would not miss the fishing opportunity. Scheduled for June 23, 2007, at the Pink Shell Resort and Spa on Fort Myers Beach, Florida, kids will receive a rod and reel, tackle box, and an award at the end of the day along with the experience of a lifetime. The Captains include: Leiza Fitzgerald, Bo Johnson and Al Keller.
“I am glad we still get to go fishing!” Keon White, a child from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Lee County says. “Me and my dad have not had a chance to go. I love to go fishing, I like catching red fish the most, the way they fight is exciting,” he adds.
The team that is pulling the event together is Art Pasley, Eastern Regional Director of the C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation; Gary Anderson of Island Anglers and Sandy Kostick of IDEA'S. For many of these children, C.A.S.T. for Kids is their first opportunity to fish and learn about wildlife conservation, boating safety, angler ethics and our natural resources.
“Fishing teaches children to appreciate and to respect wildlife, and children are the future of our sport,” said Captain Bo Johnson. “ As a fishing professional and father, I am proud to be a part of the C.A.S.T event."
2007 ESPN Redfish Cup Winner Captain Al Keller said, “The C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation is one of the few events that puts children in touch with what most anglers take for granted, the ability to fish.”
About Captain Leiza Fitzgerald
Captain Leiza has been able to incorporate her passion for hunting and fishing into her career. She is a proven competitive tournament angler, she and her fishing partner, Captain Merrily Dunn have won numerous tournaments and are the first women's team to ever qualify, the first year on tour, for the IFA Ranger Redfish Championships. Their team is ranked the #1 Ladies Red Fish Team in the country and in the Top 25 teams for ESPN Red Fish Cup Tour 2006. They are also ranked 10 th overall in 2007 for the “All Stars” which is comprised of the top 25 red fish teams in the country. She is a featured instructor for the Extreme Backwater Fishing School, Ladies Let's Go Fishing, Becoming an Outdoors Women and "Fishing Lines" a PBS program aired throughout the state of Florida . She is also a pro-staff angler for Ranger Boats, Evinrude Motors, Shimano, Minn Kota, Lowrance, Power Pole, Stiffy Push Poles, Navionics, Royal Robbins Adventure Clothing, High Roller Lures and Exude Baits. Leiza is an active member of the Coastal Conservation Association, Tampa Bay Watch, The Snook Foundation, Florida Wildlife Commission, Quail Unlimited, Ducks Unlimited and The Safari Club.
About Captain Bo Johnson
Johnson is a native of Southwest Florida . He is an expert in stalking fish on the shallow flats of Pine Island, Sanibel Island, Captiva Island, Boca Grande and Charlotte Harbor . Johnson has appeared on dozens of TV shows including "On the Fly" and "Tales of the Everglades Angler." Johnson's storied history is chronicled at http://www.fishtenacity.com.
About Captain Al Keller
Keller is a Florida native and he has been fishing the inland lakes and shallow saltwater flats of South Florida for over 20 years. He is an Orvis-endorsed guide and fly-fishing instructor as well. Keller competes in the ESPN Redfish Cup, FLW Redfish Tour and other saltwater tournaments throughout the year. He is sponsored by Dolphin Boats of Miami, Florida. Keller has been featured in regional and national magazines and television including ESPN2, Sportfishing Magazine and “Tales of The Everglades Angler.”
About Captain Doug Creek
Creek spent 15 years in the Major Leagues with seven different teams. Doug first fell in love with the Tampa Bay area in 1991 when he signed his first pro baseball contract with the St. Louis Cardinals and began Spring Training in St. Petersburg, Florida . He moved to the area permanently in 2000, when he joined the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Creek currently captains a 2007 Century 2202 Bay Boat sponsored by the makers of Red Baron Pizza. During the 2006 season, he competed in the FLW Redfish tour; he finished in the top 15 in the Professional Tarpon Tournament in Boca Grande, Florida, and finished fourth in the Jim Beam Tarpon Cup Championship. For a thrill of a lifetime and a day of fishing and fish tales, visit http://www.dougcreekfishing.com.
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