Over the past nine years, $170,000.00 in donated monies has allowed the school to provide an after school tutoring program, stock their library with over 5,000 books, schedule educational field trips and provide supplemental educational materials, along with scholarships for higher learning to many graduated seniors and G.E.D. students. The principal; Steven Hook, stated that the Matlacha Hookers have made a huge impact on the students and have been a major factor in Pine Island Elementary consistently receiving an “A” rating for the past 17 years.

During our event we have two types of fishing. The Derby is for the children who fish by land with help from parents and volunteers. Each child is provided with a brand new rod and reel and all the bait they need to catch “the big one”. The rod and reels are theirs to keep. We have seen kids hook into all types of fish over the years from puffer fish to grouper. Trophies are given to the place winners of each division. The adult angler’s tournament begins at 7am with weigh in at 3pm. The adults are fishing for cash prizes awarded to the heaviest legal snook, redfish and trout and for a slam.

Applications & Event Registration can be found online at www.Eventful.com or www.eventbrite.com – key word Pine Island Elementary and on Facebook event page – 20th Annual Pine Island Elementary Fishing Tournament & Derby or by simply going to our website at www.matlachahookers.org

For further information or questions please call DJ at 239-910-3829, Kate Swanstrom 303-550-4459, Deb Cundall 239-292-6886 or Juila Simpson 239-298-1113; [email protected]

If you are interested in donating an item for one of our auctions or to sponsor a child to fish in the event, please check out our website at www.matlachahookers.org .

After much consideration and discussion regarding our current water quality issues and the delicate state that it has left our ecosystem, the Matlacha Hookers will be having a change in the format of our 20th Annual Pine Island Elementary Fishing Tournament & Derby.

We recognize the concern raised by the captain’s and anglers in our area and have decided that the only responsible way to move forward with this year’s tournament is to implement a Catch/Photo/Release (CPR) format to minimize the impact on our local fish.

To further show our support to our local fisheries we will also be replacing our infamous fish fry this year and instead will be having a B.B.Q. in its place.

We will continue to strive to “Make a Positive Difference in our Community” and are in full support of our communities’ anglers who are focused on the sustainability and health of our water and fisheries.

What we are fishing for in the tournament will not change. Our anglers are still looking for an inshore slam: Redfish, Snook & Trout. With a grand prize of $2,000 for your longest slam and prizes of $1,000 for each species. For each species there will be the chance for each team to submit 2 photos for a combined length and for the slam entry 1 picture of each species for a combined length.

The mandatory captain’s meeting will be at the Olde Fish House on Saturday, November 3rd. The “Measure Master” will review the specific regulations for the photo entries and answer any questions. Teams will receive their measure devices and wrist bands and the captain’s meeting.