PALM COAST, Fla – Ready to build on the family-friendly, community reputation the Flagler Sportfishing Club is known for, Captain Mike Vickers, Jr. opened the June meeting with the presentation of a $4,000 check to the Flagler County Disabled American Veterans organization in Palm Coast.
A retired Navy veteran himself, Vickers said the club looks to support a veteran’s organization each year as part of their give back to the community.
“We want to support those who have supported us,” said Vickers. “The money was raised during our annual spring classic fishing tournament. We typically do it once a year where we support veteran’s organizations.”
On hand to receive the donation for the DAV Chapter 86 was Bill May, Commander of the Disabled American Veterans at Palm Coast.
“Everything we do for our veterans in Flagler County is based on donations. Nobody gets paid, we get no money from state or national or anything else. We survive on donations,” said May.
“We help veterans pay their rent, their car payments sometimes, their utilities, transportation to and from medical appointments and things like that. And we have to pay our bills, electric, water bill.”
Newly elected in May as president, both Captain Mike Vicker’s Jr. and Sr. are members of the club and share a passion for fishing. His motto for his 3-year term?
Family, Fishing and Fun
“This month we have our team tournament, next Saturday (June 15). You have to fish with a team member. Nonmembers can fish for $20 but they have to fish with a member from the club. July is our overnight tournament and also our Kids Clinic,” he said.
“We’re in an area of the state where everyone wants to fish. Fishing’s a big part of this community. This community keeps growing, and we want to talk about family, fishing, and fun.”
The 285-member club has always put a premium on teaching the next generation to fish, and their programming has expanded over the past few years to include a partnership with the Flagler Schools district to educate young anglers the fundamentals of fishing called ‘Kids 4 Reel’.
Vickers is looking forward to the upcoming annual Kids Fishing Clinic on July 27th where youth enjoy a morning of fishing workshops before being gifted a rod and reel of their own, courtesy of Fish Florida.
A number of tournaments and club activities are scheduled for every skill level, and as owners of the Hammock Bait & Tackle Shop in Palm Coast, they’re more than happy to help new anglers get started.
The Flagler Sportfishing Club meets the first Thursday of the month at Club 51 in Palm Coast. For more information, visit www.flaglersportfishing.com.
