Stephen Hoffman’s experiences with cutting-edge medical technology that helped a family member many years ago has kept him ready to help research in any way he can.
Although he did not want details of that to be part of a news story, he described doctors and other medical personnel who went out of their way to find a new way to fix a condition that previously had been inoperable.
That sold him on helping cutting-edge technology and the people who support it, as well as patients and doctors and hospital staffs.
Steven and his son Tiger, who founded the South Shore Anglers club, are now angling for sponsors and participants for this year’s tournament, which is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 5.
South Shore Anglers is a civic organization that likes to fish. It holds meetings at Little Harbor Resort’s Sunset Grill on the first Thursday every month at 7 p.m.
“We got the idea for the club in 2007 and founded it in September 2008 after talking with Michael Anderson and Billy Nobles,” the senior Hoffman said. “They have the Reel Animals Fishing Show on television and radio.”
Readers who wish to find out about Anderson and Nobles show may visit http://reelanimalsfishingshow.com.
Since then, the angler’s club has done some “reel” community service. The South Shore Anglers won South County’s coveted E.G. Simmons Award for community service in January, 2012.
In October, the club will hold the 2013 Robbie Armstrong Redfish Tournament to buy iPads for 1Voice Foundation’s Pediatric Cancer School on the University of South Florida’s Tampa campus.
“People don’t realize that when kids are taking treatments, they get behind in school because they can’t always get their work,” the elder Hoffman said. “Every penny of our money goes to charity. And this is a really good one.”
The group tries to hold four tournaments a year. With an entry fee of only $25, members hope anyone who wants to enter can afford to.
“Our biggest prize for this tournament will be a golf cart donated by Ron’s Golf Carts in Davenport. It’s valued at $10,000,” he added. There will be first, second and third place prizes for adults and children and winners will be judged by the Coastal Conservation Association.
T.A. Mahoney Marine Supplies in Tampa has also volunteered to be a sponsor. But the group is looking for more.
“It’s really funny how we got the idea for all this and how it started,” Hoffman said.
The father and son were fans of Anderson and Nobles’ television show because they liked to fish.
“One day we saw them; they had the boat behind the truck. Tiger went over and asked for their autograph, and we all met,” he said. “They gave us hats and shirts and almost immediately we started to brainstorm with them.”
In 2007, the Hoffmans went to a seminar for sponsors of the Reel Animals fishing team for the television and radio shows and people there suggested they start a fishing club.
“Right away I knew most of it was going to fall on me because I was retired,” the elder Hoffman said. “But it’s always for a good cause, and I was glad to become a part of it.”
The Captain’s meeting for the October tournament will be held at the Sunset Grill, Little Harbor Marina, 611 Destiny Dr. in Ruskin (north off Shell Point Road) at 7 p.m. on Oct. 4; weigh in for participants will be at the Little Harbor Marina at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5 after a full day of fishing. Further instructions will be given prior to the event.
To find out more about the South Shore Anglers, or to register as a sponsor or to fish in the upcoming tournament, inquire at southshoreanglers@yahoo.com.