Fishing for a Cause Reels in $55,232

New Bedford’s first annual recreational fishing tournament, Fishing for a Cause, was a great success, bringing in $55,232. The net proceeds from the event will benefit the programs and services of the Schwartz Center for Children in Dartmouth. The multi-day tournament included a Seaside Dinner with live music, family fun activities, and an awards BBQ. All events were held on Pope’s Island.

Awards, which included custom-made trophies and high-end fishing gear, were given to anglers bringing in the highest weight total for each of the eligible species (bluefish, striper, and fluke) caught.

Fishing for a Cause New Bedford MA

The winners were as follows:

Striper

  • Striper 1st place: John Whittemore (86 lbs total)
  • Striper 2nd place: Rick Hersom
  • Striper 3rd place: Ralph Hersom

Bluefish

  • Bluefish 1st place: Emily Rader (10 lbs total)
  • Bluefish 2nd place: John Whittemore
  • Bluefish 3rd place: Connor Rader

Fluke

  • Fluke 1st place: Joann Cameron (6 lbs total)
  • Fluke 2nd place: Joshua Philips

Fish caught during the tournament were donated to Sister Rose’s House in New Bedford. In total, 369 pounds of bluefish, striped bass and fluke, went to feed clients of the food pantry, run by Catholic Social Services. All donated fish was processed courtesy of Raymond Canastra and the Whaling City Seafood Display Auction.

“We are so pleased to have had all of these talented anglers participating, and are also thankful to all of our sponsors, and attendees of the events. We are ever so grateful for the support of the City of New Bedford and the Harbor Development Commission, who helped make this event such a success in its first year” said Mary Hodgson, CEO.

Planning is already underway for next year’s event.

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The Schwartz Center for Children is a nonprofit organization with offices at 1 Posa Place in Dartmouth, MA. It has been serving children with a variety of special medical and developmental needs from birth to age 21 in Southeastern Massachusetts since 1947. Services include a Day School, Early Intervention Program, Outpatient Rehabilitation Services, Regional Consultation Program, Pediatric Specialty Clinics, and a variety of other programs.