THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 11, 1996 TAG: 9607110394
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY CATHERINE KOZAK, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: KITTY HAWK LENGTH: 65 lines
The theory is that every kid with a fishing pole is a kid who's not getting in trouble.
If that's true, dozens of kids stayed out of trouble Wednesday.
More than 62 youngsters, ranging from preschool to high school, turned up at the Kitty Hawk Fishing Pier for the 14th annual Youth Fishing Tournament.
Justin Stewart, a 7-year-old from Southern Shores, leaned confidently over the edge of the pier as he cast his line between the pilings.
A 14-inch flounder Justin had just caught was still flopping in his cooler when he snagged another.
``Get `em, get `em, get `em!,'' cheered Justin's father, Terry Stewart. Justin, clad in a sky-blue T-shirt and baseball cap that matched his eyes, expertly flipped a smaller flounder onto the pier and began taking the hook out. ``Watch out for those teeth, bud,'' Stewart warned his son.
Chucking the fish under its chin, Justin pried the mouth open to show flounder teeth to a curious bystander.
Despite the threat of a hurricane, kids and parents quietly baited hooks and cast for fish. Many stood silently side-by-side peering into the green swirls between the pilings or gazing absently at nearby surfers while waiting for a tug on the fishing line.
Sponsored by the Nags Head Surf Fishing Club and the N.C. Beach Buggy Club, the event attracted young pier and surf fishers from Kitty Hawk to South Nags Head. Kids who caught the largest bluefish, trout, croaker, flounder, puppy drum, kingfish, spot, pompano or triggerfish could win an award.
Many participants in the contest came from out of town. Tom Charlton, the president of the fishing club, said club members were helping the kids with baiting and unhooking techniques and general fishing tips.
``There's a way to remove the hook, and there's a way to hold the fish,'' Charlton said as a light wind gusted across the pier. ``We just want to make sure they do the things they're supposed to do.''
Matthew George, an 8-year-old Maryland visitor, was disappointed that he had to throw back the 11-inch flounder he caught, his uncle George Paniculam said.
``He said it's like going 55 mph,'' Paniculam said, laughing as he related his nephew's logic. ``He said there's no problem going below the speed limit, so why is there a problem keeping a smaller fish?''
Amy Lynn Rhoderick was giving the competition her best shot, even though she has never succeeded in her few attempts at fishing.
But she said she loves fishing, an art she learned from her grandfather and father, who she said are avid fishermen.
``It's fun, but you have to have a lot of patience,'' Amy Lynn said with a grin, her long ponytail swinging as she cast her line to try again.
Fathers, mothers or grandparents propped up younger kids, some of whom could barely see over the side of the pier. Unusually subdued teenagers threaded their lines, and entire families fished together in relative peace.
``Hey, I want someone else's bait,'' a young boy called to his mother. ``Mine's soggy!''
Joe Monroe, one of the event's organizers, said this year's attendance was less than last year's 200 participants. But final numbers weren't available, he added.
Awarded a rod and reel and a trophy as this year's winners were:
Eric Albohn, 6, 9 3/4-inch croaker.
Adam Preiser, 7, 8 1/4-inch spot.
Watkins Holt, 8, 13-inch kingfish.
Chris Schubert, 11, 15 1/8-inch flounder.
Eric Rhoderick, 14, 9 1/2-inch croaker.
Michael Condron, age not available, 15-inch trigger fish.
Award for the youngest participant went to Alex Butler, 4. by CNB