Protecting Kids. Preserving Seagrass and Marine Species. Promoting Responsible Boating.

Looking for Sponsors

Our Boating Safety Station is one of the most critical components of the Hook Kids on Fishing program. It equips youth and families with the knowledge they need to stay safe on the water while fostering a deep respect for marine environments—especially fragile habitats like Florida’s seagrass meadows.

Your sponsorship supports:

• Life jacket demos and fittings

• Boating safety gear (whistles, lights, float plans)

• Visual aids about no-wake zones and prop scars

• Hands-on instruction on how to avoid harming seagrass beds while boating or anchoring

Why it matters:
Every year, boats cause thousands of propeller scars in seagrass meadows—damaging habitats vital to manatees, sea turtles, and juvenile fish. By teaching young boaters (and their parents) how to recognize seagrass beds, understand local waterway signage, and follow responsible boating practices, this station directly contributes to habitat preservation.

Your sponsorship not only funds essential educational materials and safety demonstrations—it also helps reduce long-term environmental impacts by shaping the habits of tomorrow’s boaters and anglers.

Building Skills. Inspiring Stewards. Supporting Conservation.

Looking for Sponsors

The Hooks and Rigging Station is where hands-on learning meets responsible angling. This station teaches young participants how to safely handle hooks, tie strong knots, rig bait correctly, and understand which gear is appropriate for different fishing environments.

Your sponsorship helps us provide:

• Knot-tying boards and demonstration models

• Barbless and practice-safe hooks for youth use

• Sample rigs for freshwater and saltwater fishing

• Printed guides and interactive displays about sustainable rigging choices

Why it matters:
Improper rigging leads to lost gear, fish mortality, and marine debris that harms wildlife and fragile habitats like seagrass meadows and coral reefs. Teaching the next generation how to fish the right way—from the start—creates anglers who value precision, ethics, and environmental care.

This station doesn’t just teach fishing—it teaches respect for marine life. By helping youth understand the impact of discarded gear and the importance of ethical catch-and-release techniques, we’re building the foundation for lifelong marine stewards.

Your sponsorship supports critical gear and educational materials that ensure every participant leaves with practical skills, confidence, and a conservation mindset.

Sponsored by Fish Bites and Clarity Lures

The Bait and Tackle Station introduces youth to the tools of the trade—helping them understand the differences between live, artificial, and natural baits, and how to choose tackle that is effective and environmentally responsible.

Your sponsorship supports:

• Sample tackle kits with kid-friendly gear

• Bait ID posters and laminated fish diet guides

• Hands-on demonstrations with artificial and biodegradable bait

• Reusable containers and examples of eco-friendly tackle packaging

Why it matters:
What anglers choose to put on their hook directly affects fish health and water quality. Overuse of live bait can stress fish populations, and improperly discarded bait containers contribute to coastal pollution. By teaching kids how to match the right bait to the right fish—and how to dispose of waste properly—we encourage mindful fishing from the very beginning.

This station inspires young anglers to become thoughtful participants in the food web, and to consider the ripple effects of their choices. It also introduces concepts like catch-and-release ethics, invasive species awareness, and minimizing bycatch.

Your sponsorship makes these lessons possible by funding educational tools, demonstration gear, and hands-on activities that instill a sense of responsibility, curiosity, and care.

Connecting STEM, Stewardship, and the Future of Our Fisheries

Looking for sponsors

The Conservation and Research Station is where participants discover how healthy habitats support thriving fisheries. Through hands-on activities and interactive displays, youth and families learn how seagrass, mangroves, oyster reefs, and clean water are all essential to the fish they love—and how they can be part of protecting these ecosystems.

Your sponsorship helps us provide:

• Microscopes, magnifying lenses, and water quality test kits

• Visual aids showing seagrass, mangroves, and food webs

• Manatee and fish ID cards, estuary models, and habitat puzzles

• Information about local conservation projects and how to get involved

Why it matters:
Our fisheries are only as healthy as the habitats that support them. Seagrass beds, for example, are nurseries for juvenile snook, redfish, and spotted sea trout—but they’re declining due to pollution, boating impacts, and climate change. By connecting fishing to conservation, this station helps youth understand the science behind fish populations and the importance of restoring and preserving their habitats.

We also introduce participants to ongoing research efforts, such as seagrass monitoring, species tagging, and marine heatwave tracking—fostering interest in STEM careers and citizen science.

Your sponsorship supports the next generation of informed anglers, scientists, and stewards who will carry forward the legacy of healthy, fishable waters for years to come.

Where Confidence Meets Conservation—One Cast at a Time

Looking for sponsors

The Casting Station is one of the most exciting and engaging parts of our Hook Kids on Fishing program. It’s where kids get their first real feel for fishing—learning how to safely cast, aim, and handle a rod. With practice rods, casting targets, and skill-based games, we create a supportive environment where every child can succeed, regardless of experience.

Your sponsorship provides:

• Kid-safe casting rods and reels

• Durable casting targets and distance markers

• Instructional signage and educational banners

• Prizes and recognition for casting achievements

Why it matters:
Casting is more than just a skill—it’s a gateway to outdoor recreation, patience, focus, and a deeper connection with nature. When kids learn proper casting techniques, they’re less likely to create tangled lines, lose gear, or cause harm to themselves or wildlife. Teaching accurate, safe casting helps reduce lost tackle, marine debris, and accidental snags in seagrass beds or mangroves—all of which supports healthier ecosystems.

Ideal sponsors:
This station is a great fit for companies that manufacture or sell fishing rods, reels, tackle, line, or youth fishing gear, as well as outdoor brands focused on youth engagement, sportfishing, or conservation. It’s an opportunity to get your gear in the hands of families across Florida while supporting education and stewardship.