GUSTINE — Fishing poles lined the pond at Harry Schmidt Park on Saturday morning as children and their families gathered for Gustine’s annual Kids Fishing Day, a community event that blended early‑morning excitement with simple time spent outdoors. The event ran from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and drew families from Gustine as well as visitors who traveled from other cities to take part.
Some young anglers arrived with plenty of experience, while others were learning how to cast a line for the first time. Around the pond, parents baited hooks, untangled knots and offered encouragement as kids waited — sometimes patiently, sometimes not — for a bite.
Six‑year‑old Garcia said every ripple in the water felt like a potential catch. “I kept thinking every little move was a fish,” he said. “Then I finally got a bite and started yelling for my dad to come help me.”
For 8‑year‑old Emma, the fun wasn’t just in her own catch. “I liked fishing, but I liked seeing everybody catch fish too,” she said. “Every time somebody got one, everyone wanted to see it.”
Eleven‑year‑old Lucas Ferreira hoped to land one of the morning’s bigger fish. “I was trying to catch the biggest one,” he said. “I didn’t get the biggest fish, but I still had a lot of fun. I want to come again next year.”
Thirteen‑year‑old Ava Ramirez said she enjoyed watching kids of all ages share the experience. “There were little kids learning how to fish and older kids helping them,” she said. “It was just a fun morning to be outside.”
One young angler who did walk away with a major prize was Cole Corso, who caught the event’s special prize fish and earned a $100 Amazon gift card. After his catch, the fish was released back into the pond, giving another participant the chance to win a $50 gift card. The prize added a bit of friendly competition, but most of the morning centered on families spending time together.
Local father Daniel Ferra said events like Fishing Day give families a chance to slow down. “The kids have so many things competing for their attention now, so getting them outside with a fishing pole and spending the morning together is great,” he said. “They’ll remember days like this.”
Michael Torres of Turlock said he appreciated the sense of community around the pond. “You run into people you know, the kids see their friends and everybody is helping each other out,” he said. “That is what makes these community events fun.”
Visitor Sofia Martins of Hollister said the smiles told the story. “You could see how proud they were, even if they only caught a little fish,” she said. “They were excited to show their parents and their friends. It was a really nice morning for the kids.”
The turnout showed the event’s appeal beyond Gustine, bringing families from multiple communities to Schmidt Park. The day was made possible through donations from residents, businesses and organizations that contributed fishing poles, tackle boxes, camping gear, prizes, supplies and financial support.
Organizers thanked sponsors, donors, volunteers, the City of Gustine Recreation Department and city staff for helping make the event possible.
By early afternoon, fishing poles were being packed away and families headed home — some carrying prizes, others talking about their catches, and a few still thinking about the fish that got away. For families from Gustine and beyond, it was a Saturday spent doing something simple together: finding a spot around the pond, casting a line and seeing what might bite.
