Get ready to 'hook 'n' sink'

The Resort & Club at Little Harbor and Ana Banana Fishing Co. are hosting a three-day extravaganza for those who like to sink a line or putt.

The second annual Mary and Martha House Hook 'N' Sink Charity Golf & Fishing Tournament is set for the last weekend of February.

"I've been working with Mary and Martha House since 2008, when I ran for honorary mayor of Apollo Beach and it was my charity of choice," said Joel Brandenburg, owner of Ana Banana. "I've done all I can to help them ever since, because they do so much to help the community."

The fun begins at 7 p.m. Feb. 24 with a pretournanment captains meeting and party at Little Harbor.

Anglers will check in at Little Harbor between 7 and 8 a.m. the following day, then head out from E. G. Simmons Park and other sites to vie for $2,000 in cash prizes during a catch-and-release fishing contest. Anglers without boats can fish from a bridge or pier or team up with a chartered boat. The entry fee is $50 per person; children 12 and younger get in for $25. Adults and kids will compete in separate divisions.

The competition will center on a point system ranking 15 species of fish normally caught this time of year in Tampa Bay.

"We don't care about size or weight," said Brandenburg. "This is an environmentally friendly event. When someone catches a fish, they need to take a picture of it with the numbered chip we give them, and then release it.

Brandenburg said snook were intentionally left off the list so the species could continue making a comeback.

On Feb. 26, golfers will get their chance to compete for more than $1,000 in cash and prizes on the links at Club Renaissance in Sun City Center. Registration for the four-man, four-ball, best-ball scramble is at 11 a.m., with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. The cost is $65 per person.

There will be winners for the first three finishers, ball closest to the pin, longest drive and other contests.

"The whole idea is for this to be a fun, family event," said Laurie Herring, program resource manager for Mary and Martha House.

The event is a primary fundraiser for the nonprofit organization, which provides emergency shelter and transitional housing to homeless or abused women and their children. Because an anonymous local donor stepped up again this year to cover expenses, "every penny raised will go to the shelter," Herring said.

The group is still seeking sponsors. If you'd like to help out, call Herring at (813) 641-7027, Ext. 2, or email herringl@marymarthahouse.org.

For tournament details, visit www.hooknsink.com.