Bayside Marina to Host Snapper Derby on Aug. 18

The Bayside Anglers will host the 12th annual Snapper Derby at the for both novice and experienced youth fishers on Aug. 18.

Chris Castellano, one of the marina’s operators, said the free event is aimed at children of all ages, who will be provided with equipment and given some basic instruction on how to catch a fish.

“They get to come and learn how to fish if they’ve never done it before,” he said. “The Anglers have a big crew that goes around teaching the kids.”

Sign up for the event, which is catch and release, will begin at 10 a.m. and fishing will commence at 11 a.m. and run for two hours.

The derby will also include raffles and prizes and attendees will be given a free pizza lunch.

Prizes include fishing rods, reel, stickers and all manner of items related to fishing.

Castellano said the event tends to draw between 70 and 80 local youths.

“I’d say at least half of the kids who attend don’t have experience and there are a couple who are regulars who fish on the pier,” he said.

State Sen. Tony Avella, D-Bayside, Councilman Dan Halloran, R-Whitestone, and the city’s Parks Department commissioners have been invited to the event.

For more information , visit the Bayside Marina’s website.