InTheBite

  • Home
  • News
    • All News
    • Featured Stories
    • General News
    • Captain of the Year
    • Tournament Results
    • First Builds
    • Splash Reports
    • Old Salts Rule
    • Tackle Tips
    • Dock Talk
    • Crew Records
    • Conservation
  • Tournaments
    • Calendar
    • Captain of the Year
    • Champion’s Cup
  • Shop
    • All Products
    • Subscriptions
    • Back Issues
    • Shirts
    • Hats & Visors
    • Miscellaneous
    • Release Rulers
  • Classifieds
  • Job Board
  • Contact
    • Contact InTheBite
    • InTheBite Media Kit
  • Log in

Giving Back: Ways to Help During the Holidays

December 24, 2020 By InTheBite Digital Editor

Photo courtesy Anthony Shkraba

By Alexandra Stark & Staff

Those who make a living on the water are fortunate to be able to align their livelihood with their passion. Most people will never be so fortunate – many in fact, hate their jobs and the things they must do to earn their pay checks. As you are someone who is so fortunate, have you ever thought about giving back to the lifestyle and profession that has treated you so well?

In our fast paced and non-stop society, it can sometimes be challenging to take a step back and align with your philanthropic self. Taking a moment to find a cause that inspires you just might make you appreciate your lifestyle that much more. For many, giving back also just feels good. Lucky for you, the fishing and boating industry is chock full of ways that you can make a difference for the ocean, the animals that call it home and in the lives of the people around you who may not have the opportunity to experience many of the things laced throughout the glossy pages of this magazine.

Giving back can be in the form of joining a membership organization (like The Billfish Foundation) or volunteering your time and talents. It can even be something simple and easy. Outlined are a few favorites that might get you into the swing of it:

1. The Billfish Foundation – A non-profit organization that works to advance the conservation of billfish and other related species and to improve the health of the oceans and economies. This organization has a long-standing history in the community for advocating at the regional, federal and international levels for the betterment of the billfish species. TBF is also known to throw excellent parties (aka fundraisers) to support their cause – and you will not find a nicer person in the world than TBF President Ellen Peel. Check them out at www.billfish.org.

2. CAST for Kids Foundation (and other causes) – CAST provides several ways for individuals to support children with special needs all through a shared love of fishing. From supporting a fishing event in your community to volunteering yourself, the organization allows for many possibilities when it comes to making a difference in the lives of children. There are plenty of charitable tournaments in the billfish world, too. Involvement (fishing a fundraising tournament or just helping get the word out) can be a good deal.

3. Freedom Alliance – A charitable organization that supports veterans of the United States armed services. Freedom Alliance provides a number of support initiatives including scholarship funds, progressive rehabilitation services, mortgage-free houses and adventure experiences including sportfishing. Whether it’s sending a check in support of the service or a volunteering your time or boat to take veterans fishing, you might find that giving back makes you feel as good as it helps others. www.freedomalliance.org.

4. International Game Fish Association (IGFA) – The IGFA is a not-for-profit organization committed to the conservation of game fish and the promotion of responsible, ethical angling practices through science, education, rule-making, record keeping and recognition of outstanding accomplishments in the field of angling. They have regional councils and a number of ways that someone with fishing skills can be involved. www.igfa.org.

5. Hope Town United (or any other hurricane-relief program) – We’ve seen the constant destruction hurricanes have left in their path and while it may seem overwhelming when it comes to helping out there are already organizations working to rebuild that you can support. One is Hope Town United, which is working to restore Elbow Cay after Hurricane Dorian. The nonprofit has a goal to restore structures, help small businesses and bolster new construction able to withstand future storms. Of course, there are many places that could use help, whether that is in the form of directly assisting a family or donating to a nonprofit.

5. Personal interest – You don’t always need a special or formal occasion to do something good. Something as simple as taking a couple of kids fishing, even catching grunts off the dock, is a great way to share your passion. This is great for kids but can also remind you how much fun fishing can be

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

Do you have any comments or questions for us? We’d love to hear from you.

    Filed Under: Featured Stories Tagged With: billfish foundation, freedom alliance, giving back, IGFA, nonprofit

    Recent News

    The Yamaha X450 overboard engine.

    Yamaha Introduces Upgraded 450-Horsepower XTO Offshore® Outboard

    KENNESAW, Ga., Jan. 17, 2023—Yamaha Marine kicks off 2023 with new product offerings, including an updated XTO Offshore outboard which delivers greater convenience, enhanced technology and 450 horsepower. Featuring the same 5.6-liter of big block d … [Read More...]

    Shifting Course: New Sonar Tactics

    By Steve Katz It seems that most everyone either has a scanning sonar or is getting a new scanning sonar. The upsurge in installations, along with a variety of brands and models, requires captains and ping jockeys to develop their technical skill … [Read More...]

    New Year, New Gear – A Few Items to Check Out for 2023

    Numerous fishing gear companies have kicked off 2023 with revolutionary new products. Here are a few items of interest early on in 2023. Links to each company's website provided in the heading. … [Read More...]

    Hiring a Captain For Your Center Console?

    By Adam Peeples As a current owner or prospective owner of a high-performance center console, hiring a captain may not be something that has been a consideration for the term of your boat ownership. After all, one of the main benefits of owning a … [Read More...]

    Blue Water Desalination Introduces the Fully Automatic Explorer XT Watermaker

    Signal Hill, California (January 5, 2023)—Blue Water Desalination (BWD) revealed its latest innovation in water purification during the recent Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. The all-new Explorer XT is a robust, expandable system designed to … [Read More...]

    Leave a Reply

    Connect With InTheBite

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Subscribe to InTheBite Magazine Today!

    InTheBite current cover image

    Our latest issue is hitting the docks now! Be sure to subscribe to the hottest bluewater mag on the market. Purchase or Subscribe »

    InTheBite Champion’s Cup

    InTheBite Champions Cup Logo

    New for 2022, the Champion’s Cup is an optional paid entry with a winner-takes-all prize format for teams who want to up the stakes in each division utilizing our longstanding tournament scoring formula.

    Captain of the Year Cup Standings

    COTY / ITB Cup Logo

    News

    • Old Salt: Capt. Eddie Herbert

      Old Salt: Capt. Eddie Herbert

      By Carol M. Bareuther, RD The moon and stars shone brightly in the pre-dawn night as Capt. Eddie Herbert started the engines on the 80-foot Merritt Reel Tight. His destination, the Virgin Islands’ North Drop. Reel Tight owner Jim Lambert Sr. took his passion for fishing seriously. He wanted to be first off the dock so he could catch and... [Read More...]

    • Splash Report: Bayliss Boatworks' Overtime

      Splash Report: Bayliss Boatworks' Overtime

      Every boat built by Bayliss Boatworks is a truly custom project. In the case of Overtime, the newest 67’ 6’’ build to hit the water, the sportfisher is the weapon of choice for a Cabo-San-Lucas-based program. With the help of the experienced captain and owner team, Bayliss Boatworks designed a sportfishing yacht unique enough to meet the demands of conquering... [Read More...]

    • First Build: Jarrett Bay's Sensation

      First Build: Jarrett Bay's Sensation

      By Nichole Osinski "If you’d asked me when I was 16 years old if I was going to build a boat, I would have told you you’re crazy," says Jarrett Bay Founder and President Randy Ramsey when recalling his 30-plus year career in the boat building industry. But to understand how the company has risen to where it is today,... [Read More...]

    • InTheBite Christmas Gift Offers

      InTheBite Christmas Gift Offers

      In addition to the other products listed below, InTheBite is offering two amazing holiday gift deals: a free gift subscription and a hat, shirt and sticker bundle. Act now before the offer ends on December 24th at midnight! Christmas Special: Hat, Shirt & Sticker Bundle (While Supplies Last) Looking for the perfect holiday gift for the fisherman in your life?... [Read More...]

    • Tackle Tips: L-Bar Bottom Rig

      Tackle Tips: L-Bar Bottom Rig

      Capt. Bill Buckland, Fisherman’s Center Supplies Needed: L-Bar, 250 lb mono, 11/0 circle hooks, three-way swivel, deep drop gang rig and sash weight. The L-Bar is an excellent accessory to utilize when deep dropping for bottom fish. It is especially effective for catching tilefish. With a traditional five-hook gang rig, the hooks are suspended in the water column. Utilizing the... [Read More...]

    Search InTheBite

    Copyright © 2023 InTheBite, LLC · All Rights Reserved.