Hundreds of kids will cast a line on Saturday, July 31 as part of the third annual Crystal Pier Kids Classic Fishing Derby. The free, family-friendly event offers children under 15 the opportunity to use free bait, free tackle, loaner rods, and hook catch-and-release tournament prizes. Organizers hope children of all skills levels will turn out to get a bite. Plenty of volunteers will be on deck to help families get a line in the water. “You find all kinds, dads who have never fished or some 7-year-old who can tie knots and is pretty knowledgeable,” said Pacific Beach Town Council (PBTC) director Joe Wilding . “It’s just really friendly. Kids are just having fun. It’s all about the fishing. I’m really glad to see it happen in PB.” Participants also won’t leave empty-handed. “There will be a lot of free stuff,” Wilding said. “First of all, fish tacos. More than you can eat. Sponsors give away rods and reels, bicycles. It’s unbelievable. Just show up. Besides, some of the best stories are fish stories.” The fishing derby was a brainchild of Wilding, charged to create something in PB that didn’t involve alcohol consumption. Enter Capt. Ron Baker. Baker, who has organized the Lake Poway Youth Derby for the past 15 years and started Fish Talk Radio, was approached with the idea of another tourney. Baker agreed, but he wanted to do it at Crystal Pier because it’s one of the last old wood piers. The event reaped the benefits of fully-funded grants its first two years. In its third year, money ran out and hometown people and businesses stepped up. Among local sponsors are the PBTC, the Pacific Beach Woman’s Club, the San Diego Padres and the Crystal Pier Hotel & Cottages. “It’s not about how much money it takes. It’s about making sure there are no loose ends,” Baker said. “It’s a great event for the community of PB. They like to do it and for that day there is a smile on every kid’s face — and that’s what it’s all about.” “Take a kid fishing,” has been a tagline for Baker for more than a decade. Another one he’s borrowed over the years is, “Teach your kid to fish and you don’t have to fish for your kid.” “Everyone has a story of a dad or grandpa taking them fishing,” Baker said. “I want to keep that going. I’ve introduced 8,000 to 9,000 kids to fishing in the last 15 years.” Baker says the thing that keeps kids fishing is results. There were plenty of fish reeled in last year. One young lady caught 24 fish alone. Gates open at 8:30 a.m., but with no pre-registration, fishers are encouraged to show up early. The event ends at 4 p.m. For more info, visit www.takekidsfishing.net