# World's Largest Fishing Event for Kids. **URL:** \ **Category:** Fishing Tournaments and Events\ **Created:** [May 12, 2003, 11:29pm UTC](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/t/worlds-largest-fishing-event-for-kids/11941 "2003-05-12T23:29:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![davetclown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/51bf81/32.png) [@davetclown](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/u/davetclown)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2003, 11:29pm UTC](https://forum.bigfishtackle.com/t/worlds-largest-fishing-event-for-kids/11941/1 "2003-05-12T23:29:49Z")
Everybody’s a Winner at the World’s Largest Fishing Event for Kids. And Some Win Twice. KETCHUM, Okla. The people who organize the world’s largest fishing program for young anglers proudly brag that “everybody’s a winner.” And this year, they will also tell you, some young people will win twice. To add to the fun and excitement for an estimated 300,000 anglers from 5 to 16, Hooked on Fishing International (HOFI) has announced three special contests open to all who participate in the 1,800 Wal-Mart Kids All-American Fishing Derby events. The “I Caught a Fish!” contest is one of the most popular events. Every young angler who catches a fish, even a tiny one, earns a chance to be in the drawing for one of three Wal-Mart Shopping Cards. The grand prize winner will receive a Wal-Mart Shopping Card valued at $500. Second and third place Shopping Card prizes are valued at $250 and $100 respectively. Zebco Kids Casting Contest is another popular contest. At each event, contestants cast toward targets and earn points for hitting or coming closest to the targets. Winners in both age categories, 10 and under and 11 to 16, receive a Zebco rod and reel combo and a Zebco Casting Contest Award Certificate. In addition, all contestants whose entry forms are returned to national headquarters by the deadline will be eligible for a national drawing for a $1,000 U.S. Savings Bond from Zebco. Catching a fish is a thrill, but catching a big fish is always a bigger thrill. To focus attention on the young anglers who catch the trophies, the Fujifilm Big Fish Contest will reward state winners with a Fujifilm Quick-Snap 2-Pack Camera and a Certificate of Achievement. Nationally, the angler with the heaviest saltwater fish and the angler with the heaviest freshwater fish will win a $500 U.S. Savings Bond as well as a gift basket with Fujifilm products. “We always say that ‘everybody’s a winner’ at our events, and that’s true, but with these built-in contests, it’s fair to say that some young anglers win twice. The important thing, however, is that everyone has fun and that they hopefully come away with a new or renewed passion for fishing,” said Gordon Holland, executive director of HOFI, who credits the sponsors for making it all possible. In addition to Wal-Mart, Zebco and Fujifilm, the events are funded and supported by Bar-S Foods Co., Berkley PowerBait, Berkley Trilene, ConAgra Foods, Dubble Bubble Bubble Gum, Eagle Claw, EverStart Batteries, [FishingWorld.com](http://FishingWorld.com), Johnson & Johnson First Aid Pocket Pals, Kellogg’s, Kraft Foods, and Laker Fishing Tackle. Now in its 17th year, HOFI recruits civic and fishing clubs, recreation departments, and wildlife agencies to put on the events locally. With the support of sponsors, HOFI provides the official derby kits to local volunteers at no charge. Official derby kits contain event promotion materials, prizes and other giveaways, product samples and the important Derby Organizer Handbook, a step-by-step guide for putting on a Wal-Mart Kids All-American Fishing Derby. Parents and kids who would like to participate in the Wal-Mart Kids All-American Fishing Derby program may find the closest event by going to the official website, [www.kids-fishing.com](http://www.kids-fishing.com) and clicking on Derby Locator.