Dozens of kids of active-duty service members, veterans and members of the general public attended Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany's annual Buddy Fishing Tournament, June 2.

For the event, 3,000 catfish were donated by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to get kids hooked on fishing. More than 100 children registered for the two-hour tournament with hopes of catching the biggest catfish, several of which weighed in over 10 pounds.

Natural Resources Manager Julie Robbins said the Buddy Fishing Tournament is a great program for families, both on and off base.

"We get the local community to come out to the base and enjoy the camaraderie with our Marine Corps family," Robbins explained.

For the second consecutive year, Carl Dukes brought several children from Arcadia Baptist Church to participate in the tournament.

"We think this gives them a more rounded education to get exposed to different things , so that's what we're about," Dukes remarked. 

Col. Alphonso Trimble, commanding officer, MCLB Albany, handed out trophies to eight winners at the end of the tournament.  One lucky participant walked away with an 11.4-pound catfish, taking home the winning title for the largest fish.