The Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island’s second annual Reel for Rotary fishing tournament is scheduled for Saturday, May 9, and the tournament organizers are still seeking contestants and sponsors.
Serving as one of the Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island’s signature events, the fishing tournament features both inshore and offshore divisions, and anglers of all ages and skill levels are encouraged to participate.
The fishing will run from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Sarasota Bay, Tampa Bay and the Gulf. An awards banquet and silent auction will be held at the Cortez Kitchen in Cortez at 4 p.m., where cash prizes will be awarded to first-place winners in each division. Non-angler tickets for the banquet are also available for $50 per person.
Incoming Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island President Rebecca Gill heads an active organizing committee that plans and sets up the event, the awards banquet and the silent auction.
Captain Laura King, of Anna Maria Charters, organizes the guides, judges the fish and works with the committee creating swag bags, getting sponsors and soliciting donations.
In addition to angler participation, sponsorship opportunities are available for businesses and individuals who wish to support Rotary’s mission. Sponsors play a vital role in helping the club continue its six-decade legacy of service and outreach.
Proceeds from the tournament will benefit a wide range of impactful Rotary Club initiatives, both locally and globally. These initiatives include the Manatee Beach Patrol drone water rescue program, Anna Maria Elementary School, youth leadership development programs, disaster relief efforts and international water and health projects.
Founded in 1966, the Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island’s mission is to strengthen the lives of children, assist people in crisis and improve the quality of life of special needs individuals.
The Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island currently meets the first and third Tuesday of each month at the Beach House restaurant in Bradenton Beach. The twice-monthly noon meetings are well attended and sometimes include visiting Rotarians from around the world.
Over the past 60 years, the AMI Rotary Club has played an active role in supporting the community through countless efforts. Highlights include providing hurricane relief following the devastating 2024 storms; helping send hundreds of children to learn vital water safety skills through the “Learn to Swim” program held in collaboration with the Bradenton YMCA; providing humanitarian aid to war-affected communities in Ukraine; and raising funds to support Rotary International’s global polio eradication campaign.
“As we celebrate 60 years of serving the Island community, this tournament is not only a fundraiser but a reflection of our ongoing commitment to making a difference,” Gill said. “Our club may be small, but the impact we make is significant, from responding in times of crisis, to investing in the health and future of our community locally and around the world. We invite the community to join us as we celebrate 60 years of service and tackle community needs together, one cast at a time.”
The fishing tournament is a great way to support Rotary’s work and the local community while enjoying some of the excellent fishing that Anna Maria Island is famous for. You can register to join the tournament, become a sponsor and/or donate at the tournament website.
