The 21st annual Fishing for Kids Saltwater Trout Tournament at the Sea Hag Marina in Steinhatchee, Fla., hooked a trophy-sized total and attracted 95 boats for day full of fishing and feasting on Saturday, April 25.
With heavy winds and clear, sunny skies, anglers of all ages set sail for a cause and helped raise over $94,000 — a new fundraising record for the event — to support critical research, life-saving equipment and other patient-centered services through Children’s Miracle Network at UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital.
Presented by W.W. Gay Mechanical Contractor, Inc., the weekend launched with a low country boil on Friday evening, followed by an energetic Saturday on the Gulf Coast. After a packed day of reeling in their best catches, participants returned for an auction of various donated items, a spirited raffle and a delicious fish fry.
2026 Tournament Winners
- 1st Place Overall: Boat 80 (10.45 lbs) – Max and Cindy Leatherwood
- 2nd Place Overall: Boat 55 (10.33 lbs) – John Stewart and Jessica Oberg
- 3rd Place Overall: Boat 4 (10.22 lbs) – Bruce and Shane Bergman
- 4th Place Overall: Boat 44 (10.16 lbs) – Mark McKinney and Rick Pena
- Biggest Redfish: Boat 44 – Mark McKinney and Rick Pena
- Most Spots: Boat 44 – Mark McKinney and Rick Pena
- Biggest Trout: Boat 4 (4.7 lbs) – Bruce and Shane Bergman
Young anglers were also celebrated for their efforts, with trophies and prizes awarded in the kids’ category, encouraging them and their families to support the community through fishing.
This successful event wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors:
Presenting Sponsor
- WW Gay
Hero Sponsors
- D&C Foods
- WH Construction
Star Sponsors
- Brasfield & Gorrie
- Charles Perry Partners, Inc.
- PV Insulation
- OEC Business Interiors
Hope Sponsors
- Creative Industrial Solutions
- Duct Doctors
- Remediation Specialists
- Taylor’d HVAC
- Miller Electric
Miracle Sponsors
- Ajax
- AEI
- Tom Burrow
- Trane
- Resa Power
- DH Pace
- Merrill Lynch
- Sciens Building Solutions
- Scorpio
- TK Elevator
- All Florida Marine Construction
Champion Sponsors
- Nelson & Company
- Southern Waters
- MTA
- UniFirst
- Momar, Inc.
- CED Raybro
Thank you to every angler, sponsor and volunteer who made this event such a success, showcasing the strong support for our youngest patients at the children’s hospital.