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 2nd 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’.

2020 ‘Lady Angler of the Year’ accepts her win from Chuck Radloff – Weighmaster. Photo courtesy Flagler Sportfishing Club. March 2, 2021.

“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 accepts ‘Angler of the Year’ for the second year in a row from Chuck Radloff – Weighmaster. Photo courtesy Flagler Sportfishing Club. March, 2, 2021.

“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 25th Annual Spring Classic Fishing Tournament on April 23-24th. 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 23rd and the tournament is on April 24th, 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, 2nd place is $450, 3rd place is $300 and 4th 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.”

Capt. Mike Vickers, co-owner of Hammock Bait & Tackle in the Hammock and Capt. Adam Morley, co-owner of Genung’s Fish Camp in Crescent Beach are active members of the Flagler Sportfishing Club.

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.