A day on the water. A community coming together.

I spend a lot of time on Sarasota Bay, but October 20 was a little different. I had the chance to be part of the 41st annual Friendliest Catch Fishing Fun Day. I’m glad I went, and I wanted to share a few pictures and give some credit to the people behind it.

A good reason to get out on the bay

Friendliest Catch brings individuals with special needs out fishing with volunteer captains. Suncoast Charities for Children and the Sarasota Outboard Club put it together, and captains bring their boats, equipment, and time.

It takes quite a few people to pull that off. WWSB reported that more than 70 participants and about 45 volunteer boats took part this year, with guests from organizations including The Haven, Special Olympics, Loveland Center, and Sunrise. After a morning of catch-and-release fishing, everyone headed back for lunch and an awards celebration.

I’ll let the pictures do some of the talking. A little help with a rod, a closer look at a catch, and some time enjoying the boat ride. I’m happy I could be a small part of it.

The people behind the day

I also wanted to share a little about Suncoast Charities for Children. They’ve been doing this work since 1985, helping fund local nonprofit agencies that serve children, teenagers, and adults with special needs.

Their work goes well beyond this one day of fishing. They help support meals for preschool children, equipment for more inclusive classrooms, and assistance for families going through a tough time. If you know them through one of their events, it’s worth taking a look at the work those events help support.

A boating club with deep Sarasota roots

The Sarasota Outboard Club deserves a thank-you, too. The club started in 1955 and has been on City Island since 1962. Members helped build the clubhouse, seawall, ramp, and docks themselves. That tells you a little about the kind of place it is.

Along with Friendliest Catch, the club has supported youth outings, training for local public-safety departments, and marine research, including helping Mote Marine Laboratory with red tide research. There’s a lot of community work behind those docks.

Thank you for having me

To Suncoast Charities for Children, the Sarasota Outboard Club, the participating organizations, and everyone who helped get this day together: thank you. And to the folks who came fishing with us, I’m glad we got to spend some time on the water together.

I’ve put some photos from the outing below. They’re a better way to remember the day than anything I could add here.

If you’d like to learn more about Friendliest Catch or ask about helping with a future event, the organizers’ event page is the place to start. It’s a private event, so they handle participant and captain registration.