SEAL BEACH, Calif. — On an overcast morning on the Seal Beach pier, young fishers cast their lines into the gray ocean, hoping for the largest catch. From 7 a.m. – 12 p.m. on Aug. 17, the Rotary Club of Los Alamitos, Cypress and Seal Beach held their 32nd Seal Beach Fishing Derby for kids. Fishers ages 15 and younger staked out spots on the pier with their parents and friends, patiently waiting for the biggest fish to bite. 

308 kids registered for the derby, more than any other year, according to Rotarian Art Remnet. Many participants are students in the Los Alamitos Unified School District. 

“Thanks to the BaitRunners, a local fishing club, we were able to give away two kids’ bikes and nearly 20 fishing poles, along with tackle boxes complete with tackle,” Remnet said.

Registration was free, and each kid received two raffle tickets for a chance to win these prizes. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife provided free fishing gear. Free bait was also available, and The Seal Beach Lions Club served free pancake breakfasts for participating families. 

“I enjoyed seeing all ages participate in a community event, and it was great to meet a variety of families,” said Joy Shenouda, co-vice president of Los Alamitos High School’s Interact Club, who volunteered at the event. Interact is the high school branch of Rotary, and there are clubs worldwide.

“This is a really good event that Rotary puts together for kids to come fish, learn about fishing and not be on their phones. It’s nice to get the kids out and do this,” said Christina Monroe, mom of two students at Los Alamitos Elementary School.

Gallery • 2 Photos

Bella Kim

Monroe's kids, Scarlett (third grade) and Easton (first grade), fishing with their dad.

Young fishers eagerly ran their catches up to Rotarians who weighed and recorded their fish. The kids caught bass, a butterfly ray and even a couple of small sharks. After weighing their fish, they released them back into the ocean. 

“I like my first time doing it because I caught a croaker (type of fish),” said 6-year-old Dylan Meltzer. “I love (fishing) a lot.”

At the end of the competition, Rotary announced the winners of the derby by age category. The heaviest catch was 12-year-old Henry’s ray at 7.88 pounds. The winners received trophies, with first place also receiving a rod and reel, second place a tackle box and third place a rod, all donated by BaitRunners. 

“We welcome anybody from anywhere. All they have to do is show up and register,” said Dave Barnes, Chair of the Fishing Derby. “We’ve had kids that have aged out, who have come for years and got too old to participate.”

Rotary’s annual Fishing Derby was boatloads of fun for the youth fishers and their parents. Whether your family fishes or not, get on board for next year’s derby! Griffins can join the LAHS Interact Club and Seal Beach Leos Club for similar volunteer opportunities and ways to connect with and give back to their community.

Bella Kim is president of LAHS Interact Club.

The derby took place on Aug. 17, not Aug. 19. This was corrected on Aug. 20 at 3:29 p.m. This article was published in Spotlight Schools on Aug. 20.