NAFC Social Media Editor posted on July 28, 2011 14:30
MINNEAPOLIS -- Last year Jeff "Kolo" Kolodzinski took the angling community by storm, shattering the world record for most fish caught in a 24-hour period. In this year's quest, Jeff is challenging two other anglers from Minnesota and Wisconsin in a competition to not only set a new record, but to raise money for Fishing For Life, a non-profit organization dedicated to serving youth through organized fishing programs, and other local charities.
Challenging Kolo are Mitch Petrie, creator of the Telly-Award-winning series "Wardens" on Outdoor Channel, and angler Dennis Salmel. Petrie will fish along side Kolo on the docks at Maynard's a restaurant on Lake Minnetonka in Excelsior, Minnesota. Salmel will aim to break Kolodzinski's 2,143 fish record from the docks of Sand Lake near Moose Lake, Wisconsin.
Sponsored by Frabill and Outdoor Channel, the first cast of this year's competition will hit the water at 11 a.m. Friday, July 29. The anglers will fish until 11 a.m. Saturday, July 30. Spectators are welcome to cheer on Kolodzinski and Petrie at Maynard's.
The angling competition is part of a greater annual Fishing For Life fundraising effort known as the Fish-A-Thon where local youth collect pledge for every fish caught during the month of August. All funds raised in local Fish-A-Thon pledges will go to a charity chosen by participants. A number of the kids participating in the Fish-A-Thon will also take part in the bigger 24-hour competition on Friday, July 29, during the 10K Kid's Shoot Out, allowing them to fish for an hour starting at 9 a.m. while Kolodzinski offers tips to help them improve their angling skills.
Spectators are invited to join the action at the main event on Lake Minnetonka in Excelsior, Minnesota, where they will also be able to view a simulcast of the other angler in the competition. For those fishing fans unable to attend the event, visit www.outdoorchannel.com/fishingforlife for a live stream, or to relive all the intense action after the event. The Web site will also house a Twitter feed with live updates from the anglers, event coordinators and others.
Jeff Kolodzinski set the standing Guinness World Record for most fish caught in a 24-hour period in 2011 with 2,143 fish. He has fished for Team United States in international shore-fishing competitions. His refined, European-influenced match-fishing techniques are worth the price of admission -- although the event is free!
Fishing For Life is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving youth through organized fishing programs. In 2010, FFL was selected by the National Parks and Recreation Association to serve as one of 70 TakeMeFishing Agencies in the U.S. dedicated to promote and engage youth in fishing activities. Programs include Real 'Em In Kids, Fish Fair, GEM fishing camp and lake events throughout the summer.
Go to www.fishingforlife.org to learn more about the organization and make a donation.