The Bradenton Yacht Club boasts a large community of anglers who enjoy fishing local waters, the Bahamas and beyond. From Fly Rod purists to Offshore enthusiasts to Tarpon & Snook fanatics to just fun family fishing, our members do it all. In May, we host our annual Crosthwait Memorial Fishing Tournament. This is the oldest amateur event in the state providing a family oriented event that also benefits local charities. The Fireman’s Charity Fishing Tournament benefitting burned children is held here in July.

The Crosthwait Memorial, Firemen’s Charity and DeSoto Tournaments totaled well over 200 boats and more than a thousand participants. The number of visitors to the BYC is difficult to calculate but is in the thousands. Volunteers numbered about 80 with many working in multiple tournaments. Income from the tournaments is pumped right back into the community as services purchased or charity distributed. Identifiable financial impact, cash spent locally, for the community this year was conservatively $225,000. This number does not include the cost of boats, rods & reels or miscellaneous equipment purchased by participants or money spent by volunteers and sponsors while working at the events. 

CHECK OUT THE COOL VIDEO THAT REEL DARLINS CREATED FROM THE 2012 CROSTHWAIT! CLICK HERE!

In addition to contributions to local charities - The BYC Crosthwait Memorial Fishing Tournament has provided scholarships totaling $9,500 to local students.

As your Fleet captain Sport fishing for 2012, my vision is to increase the camaraderie, friendships, and new memberships through the love of sport fishing. Through the love of shared stories and adventures, and through the sharing of fish stories we all have come to love, I want to encourage all of you to cherish those times on the water with your friends, your father, your mother, your grandparents, your kids. I want to encourage you to share those stories with us so that each month I can pass on the experiences we  each have on the water chasing our favorite game fish. Each month I will choose a story and post it on these pages. Please submit your adventures, pictures and experiences to:

rob@bloomingslandscape.com

Rob Yarish
Fleet Captain Sportfishing