The Orange Beach Sportfishing Club (OBSFC) hosted its inaugural "Casting for a Cure" kids-only fishing tournament to raise money for cancer treatment and research for Children's of Alabama in a "fun filled" way.

Casting for a Cure Chairwoman Bethany White said 55 kids took part in this event and raised a total of $10,000 for Children's of Alabama. She said OBSFC wanted to host this event but "had no idea that it would be this popular."

"The OBSFC set a goal for 30 kids to register and to raise $5,000 for the hospital," White said. "With the community support, we exceeded that goal and even had some awesome prizes for the kids."

Held at Bear Point, Casting for a Cure involved parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends, White said, as they escorted and assisted participants as they fished. Fishers were required to be stationed anywhere "within three miles of the shoreline."

"At the end of the day, the kids brought their catch to Bear Point Harbor where they enjoyed food prepared by OSO as well as fun and fellowship while watching the weigh in," she said.

Fishers were divided into different age groups and were awarded first-, second- and third-place prizes for the heaviest fish and longest fish, and there was one gold medal winner for smallest fish and largest pinfish, a fish that typically grows to a maximum of eight inches.

"(There were) 20 winners in all, but each kid had a terrific time fishing," White said.

The tournament is set to be held again next year, White said, to encourage kids ages 3-15 to get "involved in fishing" and raise money for Children's of Alabama.