FMB club’s fishing tourney to start at Sanibel Lighthouse

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

The Fort Myers Beach Woman's Club will hold its inaugural “Red Grouper Bash” fishing tournament on A p r i l 7 - 8 . I t w i l l b e g i n f o r a d u l t s a t t h e S a n i b e l Lighthouse, while the children's tourney on April 8 will be held at Moss Marina on Fort Myers Beach Board Member and incoming President Dawn Thomas said the proceeds from the tournament will benefit the club It headquarters on Sterling Avenue was destroyed by Hurricane Ian and the club has been weighing options for a rebuild

The tourney is being hosted by Alec Dilallo, of the Fort Myers-based Off Duty Lifestyle, and will include catered food, beer and liquor stations, raffles, and live music

The entry fee is $500 per boat for four people, with $150 for each additional person There is an additional charge of $300 per boat for those participating in the kingfish contest and an additional $100 per boat for those competing for Calcutta snapper

The tournament will begin on April 7, with a shotgun start out front of the lighthouse Check-in will start at 5 a m All teams must check in with starter boat, which will be located at 34 Nortech with two pole flags out front of the lighthouse pier Once checked in, any further questions or concerns can be handled via Channel 69

On April 8, there will be a shotgun start beginning at 6:30 a m with boats required to be back to the dock no later than 3:30 p m All vessels will need to be in sight of a spotter that will be placed at Bowditch point The tourney will be restricted to a maximum depth of 120 feet No bent butt rods or electric reels will be allowed. Weigh-in will be measured off of the two largest grouper The grouper chose for weigh-in will be angler’s choice Anglers will be allowed to carry a personal scale to help decide which fish will be weighed

The tournament rules further include the following:

∫ All teams in the money will have fish gutted to confirm no alterations have been made to the fish

∫ A polygraph test will also be conducted for all teams in the money

∫ The tournament will be regulated abiding by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission regulations, which require that red grouper caught must be at least 20 inches long

Recreation center registering youth for Fun Days

The Sanibel Recreation Center is accepting registrations for Fun Days on April 7 and 10 from 8 a m to 5:30 p m at the center, at 3880 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel

It will offer craft activities, games and swim time

Each child will need to bring a lunch, water, swimsuit, towel, goggles and sunscreen

The cost is $38 25 for members

The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge reported that the J N “Ding” Darling National W i l d l i f e R e f u g e ' s V i s i t o r & E d u c a t i o n C e n t e r a n d

Wildlife Drive reopened to the public on April 4 In addition, the DDWS provided the following updates:

∫ In concert with Earth Day, the “Ding” Darling Day