Try a different sport this Summer

If you are looking for something a little different than the standard sports that all kids play, The Optimist Farm Fishing Club is right for you!  Kids have a ball fishing and parents can learn more about fishing too.  It is a much needed change of pace for all involved!

Questions about the program

 The Fishing Club will meet on Saturday mornings throughout the summer from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM. The registration fee covers a minimum of 8 weeks of fishing at Private Wake and Harnett county ponds, a Fishing Club T-shirt, a cane pole and bait every week.  Members can also bring any of their own gear that they may have. If purchasing a pole it is recommended for younger fisherman to have the push button casting reels rather than the flip casting reels. The push button casting reels are easier for beginners to handle.
Children under 8 are welcome to participate, but a parent must be present with them at all times.

Points will be awarded for each fish caught based on the type of fish it is. Each type of fish has an assigned point value.  See JG when the season begins for the points awarded for each catch!  We will keep track of the points so be sure to let JG know the number of fish caught and weight of the biggest fish for end of the season awards.

We have hanging scales on sight. They make for a very cool picture of you and your fish! You will have the option to keep fish you catch, but always check with the fishing commissioner in case there are special rules for the pond from the owner.   Each pond has different rules on what they allow us to keep out of their pond.  You never have to keep fish, but it is a nice option to be able to take home what you caught that day for a fish fry!  Catch and release will count towards points.  As long as you get the fish to the rocks it will count as a catch.

The fishing dates for the 2021 season are:

Ten Saturdays are scheduled for fishing.  The time each Saturday is 7:00 AM to 11:00AM. You can arrive and start fishing at 7:00 AM or later, but we need to be cleaned up and done fishing at 11:00 AM each week. The awards ceremony is the last Saturday.


If you register for the Optimist Fishing Club you will receive the pond locations where we are fishing.  They are privately owned ponds that are not open to the public, so we are very fortunate to be able to fish in them!

April 9th and 23rd
May 14th and 21st
June 4th and 11th
July 16th and 30th
August 6th and 13th

Stay up to date

There are lots of ways to keep up with what's going on with 540 Express Sports.

• Keep up with what's going on using our facebook pages.
• 540 Express Sports Community facebook group
• Register for an account to be placed on our email list
• For details about a particular sport you can contact the commissioner for that sport. If a commissioner is not listed on the page for the sport, we likely need a volunteer for that role.
• Email our primary address [email protected]