Eastern Shipbuilding Charities held its 22nd Annual fishing competition at Gaskin Park

GULF COUNTY, Fla. ( WMBB ) – On Sunday, Eastern Shipbuilding Charities held its 22nd Annual Eastern Shipbuilding Group freshwater classic fishing competition.

It took place at Gaskin Park in Wewahitchka. Nearly 600 participants signed up to compete with over 100 boats in the water between the Apalachicola River and the Apalachicola Bay.

Participants began fishing as early as 5:15 a.m. They’ll return to the park between 1 and 2:30 p.m. for weigh-ins to see who has the best catch.

There are several divisions including bass, panfish, catfish, and even “trash” fish for the catches that don’t fit any other category.

There were also games for kids such as a casting competition and watermelon eating contest.

Eastern Shipbuilding Group Operations Director England Reeves says the event has tremendously grown throughout the years. And the money raised is going towards a good cause.

“This year we will have raised over $180,000 solely for the Gulf Coast Children’s Advocacy Center. That’s over the last 20 years now we’ve been able to donate back to them. It seems like we’ve made an impact now,” Reeves said.

Reeves says the event wouldn’t be possible without the support of Eastern Shipbuilding Group’s sponsors and employees.

“It’s been a great event. You can see the community helped support the event. That’s the only way this happens between the sponsors, all of the community outreach programs that we do here at Eastern, this is one of the biggest ones that we’re able to do,” Reeves added.

Eastern Shipbuilding Group also has its 25th annual charity golf tournament coming up in October.

Funds raised from that event will be donated to local charities as well.

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