Kids 15 and under fish for free out of Pierpoint Landing and Long Beach Marina Sporfishing for the entire month of April. Children with a paid adult can fish on the ½ and ¾ day boats any day of the week including weekends. “It’s our way of trying to get kids into the great outdoors,” said Don Ashley from Pierpoint. The timing couldn’t be any better with Easter break and kids looking for something to do.
Rockfishing has been very good lately and remember, kids under 16 years of age do not need a fishing license either.
"It's the best thing you can do for your kids and it's free," said Cruz Soto from Wilmington. "It opens your kids eyes to so much more in life and gets them out of the house."
It's a great way to introduce kids to fishing and save money at the same time. To get more information, please call Pierpoint Landing at 562 983 9300 or Long Beach Marina Sportfishing at 562 598 6649.
Can you imagine living in Southern California and having never seen the ocean? The deep blue Eastern Pacific is ever so close for so many yet so far away for far too many children. "Many inner city children live in a four block radius of their school and some never or rarely get outside of it," said teacher Tim Barbee from 75th St. School in Los Angeles.
The Philip Friedman Youth Outdoors Program along with Wallace Air Cargo Group are doing their best to change all of that by taking kids fishing. "A fishing trip like this can be a life changing experience," said Barbee. "You can't imagine what a big day this is for our students."
On Monday, over 150 children from 75th St. School in South Central Los Angeles penetrated that 4 block barrier and headed to Pierpoint Landing in Long Beach for a days fishing on the Toronado thanks to Wallace Air Cargo Group.
For 12-year old Loyd, this was the first time he had been to the ocean; his first time on a boat and his first time fishing. He caught a released 4 nice tom cod, saw sea lions for the first time, fed sea-birds with pieces of squid, ate hot dogs and was mentored to by volunteer Sergio Fainsztein. "He's a great kid," said Fainsztein. "You could just see the joy beaming from his face when he caught his first fish."
Barbee said that a trip like this can be a vehicle to learning. "These kids have seen and done things today that they may never have had the chance to do. As we passed by one of the oil islands, one student asked me how they got electricity out there. It's that kind of critical thinking that can only take place on a trip like this," said Barbee.
The inner city can also be a stressful place for kids to grow up. Even a walk to school can present a myriad of challenges as there are gangs, drugs, crime and violence in many of these neighborhoods. A fishing trip can offer kids a break from some of these pressures and a chance to see the bigger picture in life.
Volunteer Mike Nixon was not only busy on deck helping kids catch and release fish but he was also busy fielding questions from a trio of 5th grade girls. As we passed by the Queen Mary, the girls wanted to know if it was haunted. They asked question about all the sights they were seeing, wanted to learn more about the fish they had caught, asked about whales, dolphin and dance clubs. "Kids and fishing are two of the things I love most in life," said Nixon. "I'm in heaven on these trips."
The National Center for Children in Poverty estimates "nearly 15 million children in the United States -- 21 percent of all children -- live in families with incomes below the federal poverty level -- $22,050 a year for a family of four." The poverty rate for kids appears to be headed for 25%; the highest level since the Great Depression.
According to the American Psychological Association, poverty can directly influence a child's academic achievement, psychosocial outcome, and physical health. Take, for instance, the disturbing fact that children who come from low-income families have a dropout rate that is 10 times the rate of kids who come from high-income families.
Children from low-income families are more likely to face poor nutrition, health conditions like asthma and anemia and a greater exposure to risky behaviors like smoking, drugs and sex at an early age (not to mention a higher propensity for engaging in these kinds of behaviors).
"These are wonderfully behaved children" said Clark Franke who drove to Long Beach from Santa Barbara. "I just feel fortunate to have been a part of it."
Earl McVicar from Torrance has been volunteering on Philip Friedman Outdoor Youth trips since the very beginning. On Monday, McVicar said he was helping a young girl catch a fish when she looked and him and said "So this is what nature is really like."
The Philip Friedman Outdoor Youth Program will also be following up the fishing trip with a visit to the school with bilingual instructors who will make sure that the fishing trip was indeed a learning experience.
"The kids will be doing powerpoint presentations and lots more research on what they saw on that very special day," said Barbee. "This is more than a fishing trip; its a day these kids will never forget and a day that we all hope will lead to a brighter future."
Volunteer Ben Okazaki perhaps summed it up best in a Facebook post. "It isn't easy to put into words the feeling one gets when you watch a youngster catch a fish for the first time. One can have all the money in the world, travel to faraway places, and eat the finest foods there are...but all said and done, money can't buy this experience. I only wish more people would do it. Can't wait to do it again!"
The Holiday Spirit was alive and well in Pico Rivera on Thursday at the Angel Step Inn Youth and family Services. Over 100 families had gathered for a Christmas party made possible by so many loving and caring people. One of those people was Dr. Gnyandev Patel from the Neha Medical Clinic in Lakewood. A few weeks ago, Dr. Patel held his annual Holiday Party and Toy Drive.
Among the stars in attendance were the Laker Girls, Rex Linn from CSI Miami, Adam Kennedy from the Los Angles Dodgers and a host of other caring and giving people who all brought a toy to be donated. Philip Friedman Outdoors put out an invitation to the fishing community and they responded in force. Hundreds of fishermen and outdoorsmen showed up and brought a gift. “Not only was that a rocking party, but it felt good helping out even if it was just a little,” said Enterprise Captain Frank Savino.
Captain Larry Moore spent hours and days gathering items for a raffle and live auction. The funds raises as a result of Moore’s hard work will be used to take over 300 inner city children fishing with the Philip Friedman Outdoors Youth Program in February.
Angel Step Inn is a Domestic Violence Emergency Shelter and safe haven for battered women with a history of alcohol or other drug use. Services include shelter, a 24 hour hotline with crisis counseling, education for substance addiction, individual support for the women and their children and as the Led Zeppelin song title reads, "A Whole Lot Of Love".
Program Director Marijke Pantus works tirelessly to make sure women can escape abusive relationships and seek safety for their children. Her goal and the goal of Angel Step Inn is to educate battered, substance abusing women so that they can learn to rebuild their lives and the lives of their children.
The joy, love and the Christmas Spirit were palpable at the Angels Step Inn on Thursday. The women and children there were so grateful and thankful to everyone who made this day a peaceful and wonderful time. And for the volunteers and others who made this all possible, I don’t have to tell them that it is in giving that we receive more than anyone could imagine.
Will Ebersman from Philip Friedman Outdoors Radio on AM 830 was one of the fishermen at the Thursday party. “It restores my faith in human nature that there are still people who willingly dig into their pockets and help other people because they feel it's the right thing to do. These include Dr. Dave Patel ,Marijke Pantus who is a is a great lady doing good stuff for people and operating on a shoestring budget. Lastly, Gustavo Camacho, Mayor Pro Tem of Pico Rivera, also dug into his own pocket to buy presents for the mothers of the kids. Thank you all!”
The joy, love and the Christmas Spirit were palpable at the Angels Step Inn on Thursday. The women and children there were so grateful and thankful to everyone who made this day a peaceful and wonderful time. And for the volunteers and others who made this all possible, I don’t have to tell them that it is in giving that we receive more than anyone could imagine.
Any time is a great time to get more kids out on the water. A group of great children from Long Beach and Wilmington recently joined Cruz Soto, Alex Hernandez and Philip Friedman Outdoors for a special time on the water.
Brandon and Josh Vaca joined Kayla Terrones, 10; Angel Perez, 9; Sonny Soto, 8; and Adrian Perez, 4, on the half-day boat Southern Cal for some fun times.
While many anglers consider mackerel a nuisance, the kids had the time of their lives catching the hard-fighting little fish. At one point, three of the kids' lines came together as they lifted five mackerel over the rail.
Quick bites
Rockfishing continued to be good for Southern California anglers from San Clemente to the Santa Monica Bay this week. The rockfish season closes on Jan. 1, so now would be a great time to get out and catch these fine-eating fish.
The Dominguez Channel off the 405 freeway was full of trash headed for our precious seas. It’s a sad reminder that anything that gets thrown in our storm drains ends up polluting the ocean. Do the right thing and don’t toss anything in the storm drains.
Madison was doing her best to make it to Captain Kids Fish market. Deaf, she was just learning to walk and laboring to put one foot in front of the other. Seventy-seven year old Sally Cameron was along side encouraging here every step. This was Cameron’s last year at Washington Elementary OH as she would be retiring later this year. “I’ll still be coming back for the fishing day,” said Cameron. “It’s just too much fun.”
Wednesday was a magical day on the Redondo Sportfishing Pier and at Captain Kids Fish Market. Children from Washington Elementary Orthopedically Handicapped School were treated to a days fishing thanks to dedicated teachers and volunteers.
The kids started out at the Fish Market where there were able to see and touch a variety of sea creatures. Lingcod, halibut, crabs, lobsters, barracuda, and clams were just a few of the sea critters the kids met up close and personal.
From there, it was on to the Redondo Beach Sportfishing Pier where Tim Tolin had chummed up a mess of biting mackerel. Kids were catching their first fish as you could hear the excitement. The new bait tank on the pier attracted many children too who wanted to touch a live sardine or catch a slippery mackerel.
Polly’s on the Pier served everyone a great lunch with plenty of soft drinks, hot dogs and fries.
Special thanks to the King Harbor Association, Sally Cameron, Redondo Beach Sportfishing,Polly's on the Pier, Cheer for Children, Captain Kidd's Fish Market, the teachers and volunteers with Washington Orthopedically Handicapped School, Decron Properties/Redondo Beach Marina, Tim Tolin of the Highliner and In Seine Bait Company.
Kids fish free this Saturday and Sunday thanks to Friends of Rollo. Kids 15 and under go free at participating Landings when accompanied by a paid adult. Fishing offers a chance for families to bond, enjoy the great outdoors, and learn more about the marine environment.
"Friends of Rollo has been helping to get more and more kids on the water," said Don Ashley from Pierpoint Landing. "They have even helped us with the Casa Estrella Orphanage in Rosarito Beach."
Casa Estrella is an all girls orphanage that is now hooked on fishing. Danny Hauger was part of a group that went to the orphanage with Philip Friedman Outdoors Youth. Hauger entertained the girls by playing Time of Your Life by Green Day.
There has been plenty of great eating rockfish for the local boats and if the water temps continue to rise, barracuda and sand bass should be back in the picture.
