This Father’s Day - Think Fishing

Make this Father’s Day one for families, summer fun and tradition by going fishing in Florida, the Fishing Capital of the World. Surprise Dad with a family fishing outing and a 5-year freshwater fishing license, or give him an opportunity to catch a Florida bass worth a million dollars.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), partnering with the Get Outdoors Florida! Coalition encourages families to enjoy the pleasures of recreational fishing in Florida. Besides, June is Great Outdoors Month, officially designated by President Barack Obama and many of the country’s governors, including Florida’s.

“Great Outdoors Month will encourage cooperative conservation and new technologies to help ensure America’s outdoors remain places where families and friends can learn, exercise and create meaningful memories,” said Gov. Charlie Crist.

Other special outdoor designations in June include National Trails Day, National Fishing and Boating Week, National Get Outdoors Day and the Great American Backyard Campout. Visit GetOutdoorsFlorida.org to learn about events scheduled in Florida.

If you buy a 5-year freshwater fishing license, the FWC will send a special incentive package with free tackle, publications and fishing accessories. A 5-year license costs just $79, plus a convenience fee, and while you have your license, you won’t have to worry about future fee increases. For most, that’s barely a dollar per fishing trip, for healthy, relaxing recreation that allows Dad to connect with family and friends in a fun, stress-free environment. Maybe he’ll even take home a free meal or two.

The bonus package includes “hook, line and sinker:”

• Free hooks from Tru-Turn and Owner; and jigs from Fish Vision;

• A free spool of Spiderwire fishing line from Berkley;

• Lead-free sinkers from Bullet Weights;

• Biodegradable lures from Fish Bites and Stubby Steve's;

• Catch-and-Release (Sure Life) for your livewell;

• A retractor for your angling tools (Power Pole);

• Instructions and special "Fishhook Removal String."

Also in the package is literature to help plan a safe-and-sustainable fishing trip and coupons for:

• Fishing or paddling trips (Bass Online, Canoe Outpost),

• Educational programs (Ladies, Let's Go Fishing);

• Fuel supplements (Fuel Medics) for your boat motor; and

• Polarized fishing sunglasses (Ocean Waves).

Five-year licenses are available at MyFWC.com or by calling 888-347-4356. If his license hasn't expired, you can order a 5-year license now and set the effective date for up to 60 days after purchase. The package typically arrives in three to four weeks, so act now to have it by Father's Day.

This offer will be available through Father's Day; however, to make sure you are one of the first 3,000 and get the package, visit MyFWC.com/Fishing now.

Here's another option: the million-dollar bass. BountyFishing.com provides anglers an opportunity to compete in fishing contests to win cash and prizes from their favorite fishing spots. To promote catch-and-release fishing, BountyFishing uses FBI-strength image-analysis software to validate winners based on catch photos. They also host an online fishing community that posts photos, shares stories, and discusses fishing topics. For a free trial offer of an Internet-managed fishing tournament, visit www.bountyfishing.com/FL. BountyFishing will share part of your tournament fees with the Wildlife Foundation of Florida, Inc, a non-profit, public support organization that enhances FWC conservation efforts.

BountyFishing shares information with the FWC as part of the FWC initiative to create a new Black Bass Management Plan. The plan is being developed with input from the public (see MyFWC.com/BassPlan_Survey) and will require a variety of innovative data sources to document current and future conditions. FWC biologists are certain a largemouth bass exceeding the current official record of 17 pounds, 4 ounces (set in July 1986) is waiting to be caught. In 2008, an 18-pound, 8-ounce bass was caught and released in Florida. It exceeded the record but was not certified by an FWC biologist (nor was a 20-pound, 2-ounce hawg hooked in 1923).

To encourage bass anglers to catch and properly report the next state record, BountyFishing is hosting a Million Dollar Bass Bounty. The contest is open to anglers legally fishing in any public body of water in Florida from July 5 to Aug. 1. Sign-up costs $7 per day or $19 for one week, but the first 1,000 will receive a 50-percent discount and pay just $38 for all four weeks. To sign up for the Florida Million Dollar Bass Bounty or a free June fishing tournament, visit www.bountyfishing.com/FL.

Take your pick: invite Dad out for a fun fishing outing this Father's Day, buy him a 5-year license and get a bunch of fishing goodies, or sign him up for a BountyFishing.com tournament. Whichever you choose, you'll help him reconnect with nature and a great American pastime while sharing quality time relaxing on the water together.