ACC provides support for kids events in Florida

By Greg McCain

ACC Crappie Stix owner Andy Lehman has a definite image in mind when he talks about his biggest thrills as a rod company owner.

One might expect that mental picture to be of a bank statement or possibly from a spreadsheet detailing the number of rods sold. However, one of his biggest thrills comes from a niche group not necessarily targeted in the main marketing strategy of the company.

“Watching a kid catch a fish is 10 times better than watching a man win a tournament,” Andy said after returning from a Florida trip where ACC sponsored two events aimed at kids over consecutive weekends. “They smile. They laugh. One little girl screamed with excitement when she caught a fish, like it was the greatest thing that she ever accomplished.”

Andy got to experience that moment at the Kids Fishing Rodeo associated with the Berkeley Labaw Annual Speckled Perch Tournament. Held at the Highland Park Fish Camp on the St. Johns River in early mid-February, the kids rodeo drew an overwhelming response. ACC donated 80 rods and pre-spooled reels for the event – that was the number of kids expected to attend – but over 200 showed up. ACC also provided its new lemon pepper breading for the captain’s meeting fish fry.

Tournament organizer Don McCormick and Highland Park manager Bryn Adams planned the kids rodeo, resuming a tradition that had lapsed for several years. Don and Bryn swapped ideas about how to revive the kids rodeo, and one main thing needed was a rod sponsor.

“I told Bryn, ‘let me jump on Facebook and see if I can get any supporters’,” Don said. “I put a little post on Facebook (asking for help from the fishing industry). I’m telling you within two minutes, Mr. Andy sent me a private message and said, ‘Don, I’ve got you covered’.”

Added Bryn, “Andy stepped in immediately and said he would help. It was unbelievable what he did to help us get the kids rodeo going.”

With assistance from Ashley Butler and others from H3 Outdoors, Don had the rods ready for rodeo day. (The rods were rigged with hooks, weights, and corks courtesy of ACC pro staffer, guide, and YouTuber Brandon Freeman of Gators Outdoor Adventure and Guide Service.) No one involved, however, anticipated the huge turnout. The participants, plus at least one parent, were packed around a ½-acre pond on the Highland Park property, and the kids caught crappie, bream, and catfish. 

“It was kind of overwhelming,” Bryn said about the crowd. “The final count was 211 kids. We’re already making plans for next year, and we will be better organized for such a large group. I am so excited about the possibilities.

“Andy asked what he could do to help next year. So we really appreciate the contributions of ACC.”

Continuing the kids angle surrounding the event, Don donates five percent of the proceeds from the adult tournament to the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation.

“Kids are the backbone for everything,” Don said, “and we want to help them out in as many ways as possible.

“It was an honor for ACC and Andy to show up at the tournament and at the kids rodeo.”

The following weekend, Andy and ACC had a part in the First Responders Hookin’ Specks tournament on Lake Okeechobee. While pairing first responders and military personnel with guides and tournament competitors was a priority for the event, ACC’s role came in sponsoring a fish fry at the pre-tournament meeting – complete with the breading – and also giving away rods to all children who attended the weigh-in for the tournament.

Shannon Peterson, of the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Department, thanked ACC for its contributions to the event. He also emphasized the support of Okeechobee County Sheriff Noel Stephen and Glades County Sheriff David Hardin, strong advocates for the tournament and Florida Youth Ranches, which received any leftover ACC rods from the event.

“I appreciate the support of ACC,” Shannon said. “They stepped up in a big way.”

Andy said the opportunity to assist with two major events is something he never foresaw when he launched the brand over 10 years ago.

“I wanted to capture the people with pictures and with video, but ultimately it’s just a lot more fun to mingle and to talk with the people there,” Andy said.

“To get where we’ve gotten and being able to support events like these, I just really appreciate the people we have working for us who allow me to leave for two weeks and go. They really make things like this possible, and absolutely it makes me feel good being able to do it.”