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Bass Fishing Kids Trail
 The Seventh Annual Bass Fishing KidsTrail presented by Bass Pro Shops and the Broward County Parks and Recreation Division. This program has become very popular with kids and parents. Although everyone has learned that catching bass from shore without live bait can be pretty difficult, it's been great to see many of the anglers improve their skills. We have had some great weigh-ins, and the time spent fishing in our parks has provided some terrific family outings. Bass Pro Shops are donating an 8-foot Pond Prowler for the classic tournament winner.
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401 S. Powerline Road
Deerfield Beach
954-360-1315
Tournament Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
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900 N. Flamingo Road
Pembroke Pines
954-437-2650
Tournament Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
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3600 W. Sample Rd., Coconut Creek
954-968-3880
Tournament Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
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900 N. Flamingo Road
Pembroke Pines
Tournament Hours: 7 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
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401 S. Powerline Road
Deerfield Beach
954-360-1315
Tournament Hours: 7 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
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If you need information, contact Gary Waingrow at 954-306-3441 or check on-line.
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 After the tournament trail ends, the competition between the counties (Broward and Palm Beach) will be scheduled. This past year, competition was held on Saturday, January 3, 2009. Broward County fishermen emerged victorious in the competition against Palm Beach County Junior Anglers! Each team was allowed to weigh in 30 bass -- Broward weighed in 29 and Palm Beach 15. Broward even had a few three pounders! The perpetual trophy donated by Grey's Taxidermy is awesome and has a 10 pound bass mounted on it. Broward keeps the trophy this year. Next year the final competition will be held in Palm Beach County.
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Some Classic Catches
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11th Annual Junior Bass Tournament Trail
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This program is specifically designed for ages 12 -17. All participants must be accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older. The adult will not be permitted to fish. All participants must fish from a boat. Tournament rules are similar to those used in professional bass tournaments. Trophies are awarded at each monthly tournament for First through Third place and Big Bass catch. Tournament point totals are compiled over the four months of competition. The angler with the most points at the end of the competition will be named Junior Angler of the Year and will be awarded a special prize package. Cost of the program is $65 for each participant and covers all four torunaments. There is no fee for the adult in the boat.
For more details about registration, tournament rules, and general information, contact Bob Newland at 954-985-1980, ext. 228 or e-mail rnewland@broward.org
April 25, 2009 - Quiet Waters Park -- Results!
The final tournament held on 4-25-09 at Quiet Waters Park was another great day with 71 bass brought to the scale. The top six place finishers all chose to fish the campground lake and it proved to be the right decision with the bigger fish being caught there. Cody Dolan of Loxahatchee, who was in first place overall heading into the final tournament, proved he deserved the 2009 Jr. Angler of the Year title by winning the tournament and finishing with a total of 135 points.. Finishing in second place overall was Charlie Cenko of Ft. Lauderdale who really finished strong in the final two tournaments to finish with 121 points. Cody Dolan has accomplished something special by winning back to back titles in 2008 and 09. 1st place—Cody Dolan- 5 fish -12.15 lbs.----2nd place—Mike Turner-5 fish-9.85 lbs.----3rd place—Tyler Nekolny 5 fish-9.30 lbs.—Big Bass—Tyler Nekolny-3.60 lbs.
March 28, 2009 - Quiet Waters Park -- Results!
The third tournament in this four tournament series really challenged the fisherman with extremely high winds all day. Despite the tough weather conditions everyone caught fish and the numbers and weights were pretty impressive. With this program you have to keep in mind that these are kids fishing in small bodies of water and not in big lakes like Lake Okeechobee or even Lake Ida in Palm Beach. Quiet Waters main lake is only about 50 acres and the campground lake is a little smaller than that. 71 bass were brought to the scale with a total weight of 104 lbs. 1st place----Charlie Cenko—5 fish—11.85 lbs., 2nd place—Cody Dolan—5 fish—9.35 lbs., 3rd place---Austin Newland—5 fish—8.70 lbs., Big Bass---Charlie Cenko—4.25 lbs.----With two second place finishes and one fourth, Cody Dolan remains the one to beat for the Jr. Angler of the Year title.
February 21, 2009 - C.B. Smith Park -- Results!
C.B.Smith park is proving itself to be the toughest tournament on the Jr. Bass Trail. Each year, it seems that fishing is tough with someone usually bagging one big bass and the rest of the field struggling to catch a limit. This year proved no different although the big bass was very impressive. Only one angler was able to catch a 5 fish limit and only 34 fish were brought to the scale for a total weight of 36.10 lbs. 1st place---Nick Ricinski 3 fish—8.25 lbs.—2nd place—Garrett George 5 fish—3.90 lbs.—3rd place---Mike turner 2 fish—3.55 lbs. ---Big Bass --Nick Rucinski—6.70 lbs.----Currently, Cody Dolan, last year’s Jr. Angler of the Year title winner has a second place finish and a fourth place finish to make him the one to beat for this year’s title.
January 10, 2009 - Tradewinds Park -- Results!
The first tournament of 2009 was one of our best ever with a total of 78 bass weighed in and 20 boats competing. Twelve kids caught their five fish limit and the final totals made it very close all the way through to the top ten. Byron Childers from Gambler Lures, who is a tournament sponsor, was our guest speaker and he did a great job discussing tournament fishing with the kids.-------1st place---Kenny Finley, 5 fish, 10.30 lbs.---2nd place—Cody Dolan, 5 fish, 9.20 lbs.---3rd place—Cody Davis, 5 fish,8.65 lbs.---Big Bass—Hunter English---3.25 lbs. Congratulations all and see you February 21 at C.B. Smith Park!
For information about Junior Bass Trail 2009, contact Bob Newland at 954-985-1980 ext. 228 or rnewland@broward.org.
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2009 Bass Trail Facts
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| Biggest bass caught - Nick Rucinski |
6.7 lbs. |
| Heaviest five fish limit |
12.15 lbs. |
| Total number of bass weighed in |
255 |
| Total weight of all bass weighed in |
352 lbs. |
| Average weight per bass |
1.38 lbs. |
| Best tournament location |
Quiet Waters Park |
| Jr. Angler of the Year |
Cody Dolan of Loxahatchee |
| Tournament prize package |
Worth approximately $1,500 |
| Biggest bass caught in the last 11 years |
7.9 lbs. at Tradewinds Park |
| Heaviest five fish limit caught in the last 11 years |
17.57 lbs. at Tradewinds Park |
Fishing at Broward County Parks
You don't have a boat? No Problem! If you don't own a boat, you can still enjoy some great fishing in our park system. T.Y. Park, C.B. Smith Park, and Quiet Waters Park all rent boats that you can fish from for a minimal fee on weekends and holidays. You can fish from a pedal boat or a rowboat. You can do it by rowing or pedaling - the lakes are just the right size for this - or you can bring your own electric trolling motor and battery to use with a rowboat. It's a great way to get out and exercise with the added bonus of catching some nice fish at the same time. Call ahead for boat rental hours and availability or check out the individual park information.
Did you know there are many parks in Broward County that have great fishing areas? With fishing being the second most popular sport in the U.S., it's time you knew what Broward County Parks and Recreation has to offer. (Applicable licenses are required for those over age 16 and under age 65.)
The following information about Broward County Parks fishing comes from John Cimbaro, Biological Scientist III, of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
The Plantation Heritage Fish Management Area (in Plantation Heritage Park) has fair to good bream (bluegill and redear sunfish) fishing, good bass fishing, and good catfishing.
There are three fish feeders on site, and near those feeders are the best locations to fish for the bream and catfish. Channel catfish are stocked annually (4,000 fish/year), and catfish up to 12.5 pounds have been caught at Heritage. The area is also very scenic. Fishing is allowed from the shore only, not from any of the rental boats. Because it is a Fish Management Area, there are other restrictions as well, such as only one pole per person-even with a cane pole, and you must have a valid fresh water fishing license if you are older than 16 or under age 65.
T.Y. Park is not good for bream fishing, but very good for bass fishing. The best fishing is from boats (boats are available for rent). C.B. Smith Park has fair bass with exotic spotted tilapia and a growing population of peacock bass present. There are boat rentals at the marina but lots of shoreline fishing places as well. Quiet Waters Park has good bass fishing, good shoreline access, and is a fairly scenic location to fish. Boats and food concessions are available at the Lakeview Marina. You may bring your own electric trolling motor for use on the rowboats. Fishing is permitted along any shore except at Splash Adventure Swimming Beach and the Ski Rixen Lake.
For all-around fishing, a good setup is a #8 Aberdeen hook fished about three feet under a one-inch bobber. A small split shot near the hook will keep your bait down where the fish can spot it. Recommended baits include live worms, crickets, cut hot dogs, and doughballs. All these baits, especially the live worms, will catch most kinds of fish but are especially good for bream. Good lures for bream include tiny jigs, beetle spins, or spinners. For bass, use larger hooks (1/0 or larger). The best bass bait is live shiner. Good lures for bass include plastic worms (black works well most of the time), minnow imitating lures, and spinner baits. Good baits for catfish include chicken or beef liver and live worms (catfish rarely strike lures). Use 1/0 or larger hooks for catfish and fish on the bottom rather than using a bobber.
 Here is some information about other Broward County parks that have fishing areas:
- Tree Tops Park: Fishing is allowed along lake banks.
- Tradewinds Park: Has lots of shoreline fishing on both north and south sides of this park. Tradewinds is the best Broward County Park for catching peacock bass, which are becoming more abundant on the south side.
- Deerfield Island: Primary locations are the marina and west of the picnic area on the Hillsboro Canal.
- Delevoe Park: Fishing in the lake from shore only; no boat rentals.
- Markham Park: Several lakes and access to the levy leading to the Everglades through Markham Park for great fishing as well. People also fish in the south and west canals that run along the two sides of the park.
- Brian Piccolo Park: Along the back lake on the dock and west of the dock. No boats allowed.
- West Lake Park: Fishing is allowed from boats out on the water in West Lake Park. A wide variety of salt water species can be caught in West Lake including snook, sheepshead, black drum, and mangrove snapper. In addition, fishing is allowed from all sides from the Sheridan Street bridge that crosses the lake and off the Fishing Trail boardwalk/fishing pier. Lastly, fishing is allowed from the South Trail into the Intracoastal waterway along the path that goes under the west side of the intracoastal bridge and continuing along the west side of the intracoastal waterway. The boats in West Lake can't use fossil fuels (electric or self-propelled only).
- Hollywood North Beach Park: Fishing is allowed off all the fishing piers on the east side of the intracoastal waterway and from the park shorelines as well.
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