Casting Kids at Texas Fest

The Toyota Bassmaster Casting Kids program is off and running! It is designed to get kids excited about fishing, particularly those who don’t normally get the opportunity. The Douglass High School bass fishing team is rigging up rods and reels for this special event during Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest benefitting the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
The Toyota Bassmaster Casting Kids program is off and running! It is designed to get kids excited about fishing, particularly those who don’t normally get the opportunity. The Douglass High School bass fishing team is rigging up rods and reels for this special event during Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest benefitting the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Tied to the lines are Stanley Jigs that will be used by the anglers during a special day at the George H. Henderson Exposition Center in Lufkin, Texas.
Tied to the lines are Stanley Jigs that will be used by the anglers during a special day at the George H. Henderson Exposition Center in Lufkin, Texas.
These multi-colored combos from Shakespeare are just perfect for the hands of young anglers.
These multi-colored combos from Shakespeare are just perfect for the hands of young anglers.
Toyota brought 550 students on a field trip to provide an opportunity for them to learn how to fish, truly embodying the company Let's Go Places.
Toyota brought 550 students on a field trip to provide an opportunity for them to learn how to fish, truly embodying the company Let’s Go Places.
Students from five elementary schools in the east Texas area traveled up to 100 miles to learn about fishing and conservation.
Students from five elementary schools in the east Texas area traveled up to 100 miles to learn about fishing and conservation.
Some are holding rods and reels for the very first time.
Some are holding rods and reels for the very first time.
To help them out, the team from Douglass High School in Douglass, Texas, teaches the basics of casting.
To help them out, the team from Douglass High School in Douglass, Texas, teaches the basics of casting.
Kendall Newson, the founder of Teach a Child to Fish, is on hand to help out.
Kendall Newson, the founder of Teach a Child to Fish, is on hand to help out.
The students take their turn at trying to cast the jigs into the casting targets.
The students take their turn at trying to cast the jigs into the casting targets.
Hitting the target brings a smile to the face.
Hitting the target brings a smile to the face.
About 550 elementary and middle school students came to learn about the Casting Kids program and have fun.
About 550 elementary and middle school students came to learn about the Casting Kids program and have fun.
The real fun happens at this tank filled with catfish. It’s time to bait up and wet a line.
The real fun happens at this tank filled with catfish. It’s time to bait up and wet a line.
Newson gets involved by teaching the children about fish. They even get to catch, land, hold and release their catch.
Newson gets involved by teaching the children about fish. They even get to catch, land, hold and release their catch.
Everyone gets a turn at catching a fish. Many of the kids say they want to go fishing after trying it in the tank.
Everyone gets a turn at catching a fish. Many of the kids say they want to go fishing after trying it in the tank.
Newson tells the children to say, “fish on!” when hooking up. That is a phrase spoken often during the fishing trip at the tank.
Newson tells the children to say, “fish on!” when hooking up. That is a phrase spoken often during the fishing trip at the tank.
Catch a fish and take a picture of the catch. That’s what fishing is all about.
Catch a fish and take a picture of the catch. That’s what fishing is all about.
Newson, who played NFL football for the Miami Dolphins, now dedicates his fishing time to teaching others how to fish, enjoy the sport, and share it with family and friends.
Newson, who played NFL football for the Miami Dolphins, now dedicates his fishing time to teaching others how to fish, enjoy the sport, and share it with family and friends.
Toyota's support of Casting Kids allowed students to enjoy a day of casting and learning about conservation.
Toyota’s support of Casting Kids allowed students to enjoy a day of casting and learning about conservation.
Expo sponsors are on hand to demonstrate their products and hand out goodies.
Expo sponsors are on hand to demonstrate their products and hand out goodies.
Shimano is one of the many sponsors eager to show the children how to cast.
Shimano is one of the many sponsors eager to show the children how to cast.
Newson teaches a fun lesson about fishing. He asks the students to guess which team he played for in the NFL.
Newson teaches a fun lesson about fishing. He asks the students to guess which team he played for in the NFL.
He offers a hint. A fish is in the name of his team. No one gets the hint until the very end of the lesson.
He offers a hint. A fish is in the name of his team. No one gets the hint until the very end of the lesson.
The students get a lesson in fishing from a Nitro boat.
The students get a lesson in fishing from a Nitro boat.
Newson demonstrates parts of the boat and then quizzes the students.
Newson demonstrates parts of the boat and then quizzes the students.
More learning is going on at the Texas Parks and Wildlife kiosk about fish identification. These students are from Lufkin Middle School.
More learning is going on at the Texas Parks and Wildlife kiosk about fish identification. These students are from Lufkin Middle School.
This student strikes a pose with a special cowboy hat.
This student strikes a pose with a special cowboy hat.
Others meet a game warden wearing a real cowboy hat.
Others meet a game warden wearing a real cowboy hat.
High school anglers had the opportunity to compete for college scholarship dollars, provided by Toyota. They each one minute to cast at three targets.
High school anglers had the opportunity to compete for college scholarship dollars, provided by Toyota. They each one minute to cast at three targets.
The high school anglers got 5 points for the closest target, 10 points for the middle target, and 15 points for the farthest target.
The high school anglers got 5 points for the closest target, 10 points for the middle target, and 15 points for the farthest target.
Josh Bruener of Douglass High School was a quick study and immediately hit several targets.
Josh Bruener of Douglass High School was a quick study and immediately hit several targets.
The first place winner in the casting competition will receive $1,500 in scholarship money from Toyota. Second through four will receive $1,000 each, and fifth place will receive $500.
The first place winner in the casting competition will receive $1,500 in scholarship money from Toyota. Second through four will receive $1,000 each, and fifth place will receive $500.
And later in the day, checks from Toyota were awarded to the top five finishers
And later in the day, checks from Toyota were awarded to the top five finishers