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. 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.
The Fishing Club will split youth into two divisions, to accommodate interests of younger participants with a shorter attention spans.  
  -  Younger group would fish only from 6 – 7 PM and compete with one another.
  -  Older group would fish from 6 – 8 PM and compete with one another.
Children under 7 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.

Species	Worms, Crickets, Other Bait	Artifical Lures (+1 point)
Bass, Crappie	4	5
Bream	3	4
Catfish	5	6
Turtles	0	0

We will keep track all season of individual and team points, number of fish caught and weight of the biggest fish for end of the season awards.

We have hanging scales on sight and they make for a very cool pictures 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 this season are:

June 12
June 19
June 26
July 10
July 17
July 24  - Rain make up day
July 31
August 7 - Rain make up day
August 14
August 21

August 28 - Awards celebration

The pond locations will be finalized and announced to those that register.

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]