Hooks For Hunger Returns To Avon Lake On June 27

AVON LAKE, OH — The annual Hooks for Hunger will return on the last Saturday of June. The event raises money for Community Resource Services (CRS), which aids vulnerable residents in Avon and Avon Lake.

The tournament returns June 27 at Miller Road Park in Avon Lake, according to one of the organizers, Ed Moran, who spoke with Patch. Hooks for Hunger has a 50 team limit, and registration is handled on a first-come, first-served basis.

All registration must be done in-person at Erie Outfitters on Lake Road in Sheffield Lake.

There is no limit on how many fishermen may be on a boat, but there is a six-rod limit per participating boat. Registration is $25 per fisherman.

Hooks for Hunger started seven years ago. The name for the tournament, Moran said, was modeled on the Hoops for Hunger tournaments which high school basketball programs host throughout Northeast Ohio.

The first tournament generated about $6,500 for CRS. The tournament has grown significantly over the years, and Hooks for Hunger, last year, generated more than $28,000 for CRS.

Since its inception, Hooks for Hunger has raised more than $100,000 for CRS, Moran said.

What does it take to win the tournament? Last year's heaviest fish was approximately 10 pounds, Moran said. The team with the heaviest combined fish haul brought in about 32 pounds of walleye.

Before the walleye fishing tournament returns, John's Bait and Tackle, which was recently closed, will sell its entire store and inventory to an interested buyer. The proceeds from the sale will benefit CRS.