🎣 Fishing for Toys: How a Men’s Bible Study Sparked Something Bigger on the Mississippi Gulf Coast
Some episodes stick with you longer than others.
This was one of those.
When the guys behind the Inaugural Fishing for Toys Tournament sat down in the Brown Water Banter studio, it was clear early on this wasn’t just another fishing tournament conversation. This was a story about community, faith, and people stepping up when they see a need.
Fishing for Toys didn’t start with a tournament flyer or prize money.
It started with a men’s Bible study.
🙏 Where It All Began
The idea grew out of Fishers of Men, a men’s Bible study that meets at Saltwater Fabrication in Ocean Springs. What began as a small group of guys coming together to study scripture and keep each other accountable slowly grew into something more meaningful.
As the group grew, the conversations shifted. It wasn’t just about showing up once a week — it was about how faith should look outside of those meetings. How it should show up at work, at home, and in the community.
That mindset changed everything.
🎁 Seeing the Need Up Close
Through connections with the Pascagoula Police Department, the group started hearing about families who were struggling — especially single moms trying to make it through the holidays.
Christmas hits different when money is already tight. For some families, it’s not about big gifts or wish lists. It’s about whether there will be anything under the tree at all.
Instead of looking the other way, these guys leaned in.
They organized a dinner. Sat down with moms and kids. Shared a meal. Listened to their stories. Then loaded up and took families Christmas shopping — many times paying for gifts out of their own pockets.
For several of the men involved, it was eye-opening.
Knowing people are struggling is one thing.
Seeing it firsthand is another.
🎣 Turning Faith Into Action
Out of those moments came the idea for Fishing for Toys — a fishing tournament built around giving back.
The concept is simple: anglers sign up, bring an unwrapped toy, and fish local waters. Every toy collected goes straight back to kids who need it. Every entry helps push the mission forward.
Yes, there are payouts.
Yes, there’s competition.
But the real purpose is making sure kids in the community don’t get overlooked during the holidays.
🚓 Community Policing Done Right
One of the most powerful parts of this story is the involvement of local law enforcement.
Officers aren’t just helping organize things behind the scenes. They’re sitting with families. They’re handing out gifts. They’re showing up outside of emergency calls and crisis situations.
That matters.
For many kids, these moments may be their first positive interaction with law enforcement — and those impressions stick far longer than people realize.
❤️ Why This Episode Matters
This episode isn’t about fishing tactics or tournament strategy.
It’s about men stepping up.
It’s about community.
It’s about faith being lived out instead of just talked about.
The men behind Fishers of Men don’t claim to have everything figured out. They’re open about learning as they go. But they all share the same belief — if you see a need and you’re in a position to help, you should.
🌊 The Bigger Picture
What started as a small men’s Bible study has grown into something that’s touching dozens of families and nearly a hundred kids across the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
That’s the kind of ripple effect that matters.
Fishing for Toys is a reminder that on the Gulf Coast, people still take care of each other — and sometimes all it takes is a fishing rod, a wrapped toy, and a group of people willing to show up.
📅 Event Details
🎣 Event: First Annual Fishing for Toys Tournament
📍 Location: Saltwater Fabrication, Ocean Springs, MS
🗓️ Tournament Day: December 20
⏰ Fishing Hours: 12:00 AM – 6:00 PM
⚖️ Weigh-In: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
🏆 Winners Announced: 7:00 PM
📋 Captain’s Meeting: December 19 at 5:00 PM
💰 Entry: $50 per angler + one unwrapped toy
