Published: Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010 / Updated: Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010 02:10 PM
Maliek Carrington: Fishing4Reel Outdoors begins
Bass series to bring diversity, more exposure to fishing
I can clearly say on Jan. 29 we had one of the worst ice storms of the year. But I’m glad on Jan. 30, I drove down to Greenville to host the first Afro-American Bass Club Conference.
The Rod Benders of Atlanta, Tackle box bass trail, One on One bass club and Tri-State bass club joined me.
As I listened to the history of these bass fishing clubs, I found it interesting and started relating bass fishing to Nascar. It’s a very expensive sport that needs endorsements and sponsorships.
Bass fishing only has two major hitters: FLW and BASS. They have dominated the field since the 1970s, but on this day, a decision was made that there is room for another league designed for the working man and his family. And so begins Fishing4Reel Outdoors.
The conference was a great move of God where men came together to see what we could do to have our families, who are our biggest supporters, and at least three local churches join in on the trail that will include live music at the weigh-ins and free food.
One of the goals of Fishing4Reel Outdoors – a trail that will fish North and South Carolina and Georgia with an inauguration tournament date set for June 5 - is to supply entertainment and food for everyone from noon to 4 p.m. at weigh-ins. Just imagine one big block party every tournament. This will allow us to promote the sport of fishing and collaborate with local ministries while empowering youth.
The best part of the conference was the beginning and the end when men joined hands, letting this trail be acceptable in the sight of God while making a true statement that we will be fishers of men and create diversity in the sport.
Maliek Carrington, known as Mr. Maliek, of Steele Creek is an amateur angler who fishes in the Bassmaster Weekend Series. He started Fishing4Reel about five years ago to expose children to fishing by taking them on freshwater and saltwater fishing trips. He can be reached at info@fishing4reel.net.
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