The 20th annual Fishing for Kids Saltwater Trout Tournament made waves at Sea Hag Marina in Steinhatchee, Fla., reeling in a record-breaking 110 boats on Saturday, April 26, for a day of sunshine, sport, and community giving.
With blue skies and a steady breeze, anglers of all ages cast their lines in support of UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital, raising over $83,000 to fund life-saving research, medical equipment, and patient-focused services.
The weekend celebration began with a Friday night low country boil, building excitement for Saturday’s full day on the water. After reeling in their best catches, participants gathered for a fish fry hosted by UF Health Shands engineers, followed by a spirited raffle and awards ceremony.
2025 Tournament Winners:
- 1st Place: Boat 39 – Remediation Specialists (Norma Lope & Matt Herndon): 12.93 lbs.
- 2nd Place: Boat 31 – TKE (David Hedrick & Randy Hartley): 11.83 lbs.
- 3rd Place: Boat 76 – Chad & Levi Howard: 11.36 lbs.
- 4th Place: Boat 51 – Andy Phillips & Dale Nichols: 11.34 lbs.
- Biggest Trout: Boat 51 – Andy Phillips & Dale Nichols: 4.73 lbs.
- Biggest Redfish: Boat 31 – TKE (David Hedrick & Randy Hartley): 6.83 lbs.
- Redfish with Most Spots: Boat 5 – Bruce & Shane Bergman: 13 spots
Young anglers also joined the excitement, earning trophies and prizes in the kids’ category and fostering the next generation of fishing enthusiasts and community supporters.
A Heartfelt Thanks to Our Sponsors
Presenting Sponsors:
D&C Foods, WH Construction, WW Gay
Star Sponsors:
Brasfield & Gorrie, OEC Business Interiors, Sciens Building Solutions
Miracle Sponsors:
Affiliated Engineers Inc., Ajax, BBI Construction, CED Raybro, DH Pace, Dowling Signs, In memory of J. Jones, Merrill Lynch, Nelson & Company, Resa Power, Scorpio, TKE, Tom Barrow, Trane
Champion Sponsors:
CDW – Healthcare, CIS, Duct Doctors
Hope Sponsors:
MDM Commercial, Miller Electric, Momar Inc., MTA, National Fire Stopping Solutions, Remediation Specialists, Southern Waters Company, UniFirst
Thanks to the outstanding commitment of anglers, sponsors, and volunteers, the 2025 tournament celebrated two decades of impact and generosity—ensuring a healthier future for the children served by UF Health.