Fishin' Time - TIFT Fishing Days

First catch on Day 1!

"2 dot redfish"

His first keeper fish that he caught entirely on his own - a 19 1/4 inch speckled trout!

With Daddy and Captain Pa

His stringer of lil' ones to go along with his trout!

It is a must that you take a picture with the TIFT Hostess!

Rylen liked playing with Landon's fish!

The Wahoo and Mahi Mahi that Uncle Ryan's boat brought in on day 1!

Driving to weigh-in on Day 2!

Stringer of 3 Skipjack!

Signing off, agreeing to the weight entered!  So official!

Day 2 with the Hostess :)

Biggest catch of the tournament...555 pound Marlin!

Landon got to ride in Mr. Aaron's offshore boat...he really thought he was big stuff!

Awards Day :)

Daddy, Landon, Rylen and Uncle Ryan

Cousins :)

Pa and Landon

Landon LOVES to fish! (just in case you have not figured that out from reading this blog)  He has had a passion for fish/fishing since before he turned 2!  He talked about this tournament for months and could not wait until the day had finally arrived!  This was the first year that he was able to set the hook and reel in the fish entirely by himself and he was so proud of himself and so were we! 

The TIFT Tournament runs for 2 days! ~ The first day he weighed in a 19 inch speckled trout, a croaker and some perch.  He also caught a good sized redfish but it wasn't quite long enough to keep. He was a good sport about throwing it back so that it could grow bigger!

The second day Landon brought in 3 skipjack and a "2 dot redfish."  For those of you that do not know, redfish generally have only one spot on each side of their tale and if they have more it is usually a lot more - well, Brian told me that as soon as Landon got the redfish in the boat and was able to see it he excitedly said, "It is a 2 dot redfish!"  Very observant boy we have!  He has told everyone that will listen about his "2 dot redfish!" 

Sunday was the day of awards and Landon was happy to get his trophy that had a speckled trout on it!  He was hopong for the BIG trophy, but since he is competing with kiddos up to the age of 7 we explained to him that a lot of the other participants were older and bigger than him.  In the end he was okay with the results and now tells people, "I almost won the tournament!"

It was the best TIFT Tournament for him yet and he is already talking about next year!  BIG thanks to Pa for being his captain and thanks to Daddy for being his deck hand!  Great memories were made!