Nationwide 24-hour Fish-A-Thon to Help conserve fish habitat

by BoatUS on 21 Apr 2010 How long can you fish? Find out at the 24-hour Fish-A-Thon on September 10 - 11 and you could also help improve the very same waters you fish in. Now in its second year, the event pits teams of anglers across the country against each other for a good cause that raises funds to help support responsible fishing and improve fish habitat.

Teams also compete for top prizes such as the fishing trip of the lifetime, a guided trip with a Professional Anglers Association (PAA) tour-level pro, or a getaway to a remote lodge. Additional prizes include tackle from Berkley and Dick's Sporting Goods.

This year the event is co-sponsored by BoatUS Angler, an advocacy and services association for recreational boat owners. It offers on-the-water towing, roadside assistance and angler's boat insurance.

'Anglers will fish around the clock and around the nation to raise awareness of problems facing our fisheries, as well as raise money to help solve those problems,' said organizer Teeg Stouffer, executive director of Recycled Fish, a non-profit organization committed to responsible fishing practices.

Proceeds are donated to Recycled Fish and the non-profit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water to support responsible fishing practices and waterway stewardship programs. The BoatUS Foundation has supported grassroots boater and angler educational programs for nearly 30 years and awarded over $1.1 million in grants to local boating and environmental organizations.

The 24-hour Fish-A-Thon is open to freshwater anglers in all 50 states. To participate, anglers begin by becoming a Fish-A-Thon Ambassador/Team Leader at www.RecycledFish.org/FishAThon, and sign up their team of two to four anglers. After they receive their Fish-A-Thon welcome kit in the mail, each team member's next step is to secure pledges from family, friends or co-workers for each hour they fish, which typically range from $10 to $75 an hour.

Next they go fishing. Lines are cast Friday, September 10pm at 6pm until Saturday, September 11pm at 6pm. During the event anglers are also encouraged to pick up any trash and use tackle that is easier on the environment, such as lead-free weights or biodegradable baits and lures, and practice good catch-and-release tactics.

Every team raising a minimum of $100 will get a complimentary 24-hour Fish-A-Thon shirt. Additional prizes include tackle, apparel and gift cards.

Participating anglers take photos of their fish and self-score their catch at the online Angling Masters Fish Calculator, then submit their score to the Fish-A-Thon administrator. Top prizes go to the team with the most funds raised and the team with the highest score based on their best five fish photos. Additional prizes include tackle packages, apparel and gift cards. Prizes are also given for the best photos, the most 'unusual' trash picked up and more.

For complete Fish-A-Thon information and rules, go to www.RecycledFish.org , or contact Buddy Johns at buddy@recycledfish.org.