10/06/2026
On Saturday September 26th, 2026, in Gulf Shores, Alabama, Officers from Alabama Marine Resources participated in a kid’s fishing event at the Gulf State Park fishing pier. This event held by Salty Kidz would turn into lifelong memories for over a hundred kids that got to participate. From catching dozens of different species of fish, comfortable fall temperatures, and clear blue water to look at, this event was a huge success.
The event was organized to help children across the Gulf Coast and in the Great State of Alabama have an opportunity to get out on the water with any level of experience and enjoy the sport of fishing. Volunteers from many different organizations and agencies took time out of their weekend to make sure every kid was able to have an unforgettable and fun time fishing, while gaining practical knowledge, ranging from tying knots to why conservation is important. Conservation starts with connection, and a great way to build that connection is showing just how fun and exciting fishing is by going out there and doing it.
The kids showed up around 08:00 that morning and fished until 11:30. During that time they would be with their parents, a chaperone or with a Conservation Enforcement Officer (CEO), and learn about the tackle they could use, how to prepare the bait, casting techniques and how to land the fish. They would have a CEO or a volunteer measure and identify their catch and during this small window of fishing there was no shortage of action. With each kid catching at least one fish and most of them catching multiple fish. From ladyfish, white trout, croaker, mangrove snapper, spotted seatrout and red drum, anglers got to see and learn about how to identify different species and what sizes they had to be to legally keep.
Topping off a blessed day of fishing, we got to share tons of prizes with the kids. Every kid got to take home their catch and received a brand new Zebco rod and reel combo, fishbites bait, various starting lures and a 5-gallon bucket. We had multiple categories ranging from largest fish, most caught fish, most variety caught, and most unique. The anglers that placed in these categories received a tackle box along with additional fishing rods and lures. The Grand Prize winner was a special one, and not for the reasons you would expect. Ray Weatherford (13) got to win the “prize of a lifetime.” Throughout the event he displayed great sportsmanship by assisting other anglers with spots to cast, cheering them on when they got hooked up and hyping them up when they landed their catch. His compassion and love for fishing were truly a lesson to everyone on the pier that day and thus he was awarded with a lifetime saltwater fishing license from Alabama Marine Resources. We hope to see Ray out there enjoying the sport of fishing for years to come. His kindness, encouragement and sportsmanship embodied the spirit of the event.
An event this size could not happen without the help of the community. Would like to thank Salty Kidz, United States Coast Guard Auxillary, Greenpoint AG, OWA, USS Alabama, Gulf Coast Zoo, Bottomed Out Fishing Charters, Costal Conservation Association, International Game Fish Association, Alabama Conservation Enforcement Officer Association, Guy Harvey, Mulletman and Sons Custom Nets, Fishbites, Walmart, Sams Daphne, Hoods Foley, Island Time Spice Company, Alabama Gulf State Park,
Fishing events like these might only last a few hours, but a kid’s first catch can create the interest that last a lifetime. As we get closer to the end of 2026, we are looking forward to working alongside sponsors to put more events like these on, and see more kids get involved with conservation and get outdoors!
