Flagler Sportfishing Club Names Anglers of the Year, Prepares for New Member Clinic

Palm Coast, FL – Anybody can toss a line, but it takes someone really good to nab the title of ‘Angler of the Year’.

Picking up the honor on Tuesday, March 2^nd during the monthly meeting of the Flagler Sportfishing Club, Mark Heffley accepted the award for the second year in a row, as Karen Daughtery was named ‘Lady Angler of the Year’.

“Our members fish all year long for ‘Angler of the Year’, male and female and the largest species of the year,” said club president Chris Christian. “So we have 16 species we give nice prizes for and then we give a male and female angler of the year award.”

For some, like Heffley, fishing is an art, something fellow anglers can appreciate.

“Mark Heffley’s a great fisherman,” said Christian. “In all seriousness, he works at it.”

The meeting also announced the upcoming new member clinic on March 20 from 8 am to 1:30 pm at the VFW Post 8696 on Old Kings Road in Palm Coast. The clinic will feature a variety of presenters sharing topics related to the basics of pier and bank fishing, kayak fishing, artificial and live bait tips along with using the tides to your advantage. Future members and guest may attend for $10. https://flaglersportfishing.com/event/new-members-clinic/

April brings the 25^th Annual Spring Classic Fishing Tournament on April 23-24^th. Open to all anglers, it’s an exciting way to get involved and have fun along the area’s waterways.

“It’s a great event to support the local DAV and our veterans. All the money raised stays right here in Flagler, “said club member Peter Bessette, breaking it down for beginners.

“Captain’s meeting is on April 23^rd and the tournament is on April 24^th, at Bings Landing. It’s open to the public and you can register on the website www.flaglersportfishing.com.  Categories (red fish, trout, flounder) – first place is $600, 2^nd place is $450, 3^rd place is $300 and 4^th is $150. The Flagler Slam, which is all three of those fish plus a black drum pays $400, and if you’re a member we have ‘count the spots’ and that pays out $200.”

Nurturing the next generation of anglers is part of their mission and the Flagler Sportfishing Club also hosts the annual Kids Fishing Clinic, supported by Fish Florida and other agencies to teach local children to fish, while providing free rods to the kids. This year’s event is slated for July.

For more information, visit www.flaglersportfishing.com.