The Tribune

IT WAS billed as the first annual Palm Cay Fish ’n Feast, and even if the biggest fish weighed in at just under three pounds, the event was everything organisers hoped for.

“It was awesome, a really great day,” said Zachary ‘Zack’ Bonczek, director of sales and marketing at Palm Cay.

More than 30 families registered, more than a dozen went out on boats, most letting their little ones test their mettle. In some cases, three generations of family members were represented at the event. Grandmother Judy Higgs watched as her little grandchild, seven-year-old Ellie Ann, brought in a blue runner that tipped the scales at 2.9 pounds, nearly half her size. She won the trophy for biggest fish. Chloe Campbell caught a small yellowtail snapper, winning the prize for the prettiest fish and Josh Roberts’ squirrel fish, also known as a Big-eye John, was a clear favourite for the trophy for ugliest fish.

Mr Bonczek said: “Many of our residents chose Palm Cay because of the marina and the waters, so it made all the sense in the world to arrange something fun for the whole family.

“Besides, I’m a dad. Every year my wife and daughters struggle to figure out what I would like to do for my day. This year, I suggested that they just ask me.”

They did ask. And he told them there’s nothing he would rather do than go fishing for a few hours, return to shore, clean, cook and eat the fish he just caught.

“Realising that was what I wanted, I said, ‘Why don’t we make it possible for lots of dads to have a fun day of fishing’,” Mr Bonczek said. “The whole idea of the Family Fish ’n Feast was born from that.”