Outdoors notes: Carlson earns recognition in fishing rodeo

Mackenzie Carlson was a busy young lady during the 56th annual Grand Strand Fishing Rodeo, which was April 1 through Oct. 31.

The 9-year-old Carlson fished off a pair of local piers during the seven-month angling competition and regularly weighed in excellent catches. Off the Myrtle Beach State Park Pier, Carlson landed a 2-pound, 3-ounce trout, and Spanish mackerel weighing 3 pounds, 12 ounces, 3 pounds, 2 ounces and 2 pounds, 2 ounces. Off the Apache Pier, Carlson landed a 7-pound, 11-ounce bluefish and a 4-pound, 7-ounce Spanish.

The 56th Annual Grand Strand Fishing Rodeo's awards ceremony was in December at Springmaid Resort. The award winners follow:

Largest of Species

Whiting: Naomi Peeples, 1-11, Surfside Pier.

Bluefish: David M. Lee, 10-9, Cherry Grove Pier.

King Mackerel: Wayne Johnson, 32-12, Apache Pier.

Pompano: Karen Bonelli, 3-5, MB State Park Pier.

Sheepshead: Craig Melton, 10-0, Cherry Grove Pier.

Flounder: Mark Cronk, 11-4, Cherry Grove Pier.

Spanish Mackerel: Ed Sellers, 6-11, Apache Pier.

Trout: Ralph Peeler, 6-0, Cherry Grove Pier.

Special Recognition Award: Mackenzie Carlson, age 9, landed 2-3 trout, 2-2 Spanish, 3-2 Spanish, 3-12 Spanish at MB State Park; and 7-11 bluefish, 4-7 Spanish at Apache Pier.

Shoulder Patch Winners

(random drawing from all participants)

John Calhoun, Bruce Ballehr, Donald Allren, Reba Hartsoe, Aaron Petitto, Joseph Vaseades, Mike Estes, Pat Cole, Curtis Karolyi, Ronnie Darnell, Christopher Webb, Evan Dean, Bud Joynes, Allen Bennutt, Stephen Perry.

Grand Strand Boat Show

The 26th annual Grand Strand Boat Show will be held Jan. 8-10 at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center.

Staged by the Grand Strand Boat Association, the show will feature numerous local and regional boat dealers displaying a wide range of boats from jon boats to offshore cruisers.

Local captains will be conducting free fishing seminars (with admission) all three days of the show and a Kid's Fair will be available to entertain the youngsters.

Tickets are $7 for adults, $3 for ages 6-12 with children under six admitted free. For more information, visit www.grandstrandboatshow.com or call 357-3098.