Fishing For Charity – Kiddie Pole Classic 2025 Fishing To Support Face Autism Fishing For Charity – Kiddie Pole Classic 2025 in Palma Sola Bay near Anna Maria Islald Florida. This tournament has been held annually since 2009, and supports Face Autism. Face Autism’s Mission Statement is: Face Autism, Inc., was created in 2009 by a team of interested professionals and parents to provide sensory friendly activities, support groups, referral for therapeutic services, structured classes, and other necessary resources. As a nonprofit organization, Face Autism, Inc., is committed solely to providing these services to families through outreach and fundraising efforts. One of their events is the Kiddie Pole Classic, which I recently, participated in. The Kiddie Pole Classic is held on Palma Sola Bay, myself along with eleven other captains each volunteered our time to take a child or young adult fishing. All funds raised were donated to support Face Autism. One of the rules of the tournament is that the kids must fish with a “kiddie” or cartoon-style fishing pole. Each spool is re-rigged with 15-pound braid so it can handle saltwater fish without breaking. But even then, hauling in a good sized redfish or speckled trout can be a challenge for normal gear. I had the absolute pleasure of hosting two young ladies. We kicked off the morning at a nearby reef, where we caught mackerel and small red reef grouper. After that, we moved inshore to fish a grass flat in about 4–6 feet of water. We finished out the last part of the outgoing tide catching spotted seatrout, jack crevalle, and ladyfish. I had a great time and am grateful to offer my skills, time, and boat to support this amazing non-profit. To learn more about Face Autism, check out their website: **hidden content**

As water temperatures begin to cool, anglers offshore are turning their attention to the prized Hogfish Snapper. This unique species tends to congregate around reefs and hard-bottom areas during the spawning season, which kicks off in November and continues through the spring months. These gatherings, known as harems, make this time of year ideal for targeting Hogfish along the Gulf waters off Anna Maria Island and Tampa Bay. The bait of choice for targeting Hogfish is typically live shrimp or other small crustaceans, presented on a weighted jig head or “ball” jig. The ideal hook and weight size will vary based on factors such as current strength and fishing depth. Every angler seems to have their own preferred setup, so experimenting to find what works best for your local conditions is key.

Inshore fishing is always a solid choice—even when the wind picks up. With so many options to target specific species, there’s no shortage of action. Snook, redfish, and trout top the list, but the possibilities don’t stop there. Sometimes, you even get a shot at jumping a silver king—another name for the mighty tarpon.