Kiddie Pole Classic Fishing Tournament

The Kiddie Pole Classic is an inshore fishing tournament on Edisto Island with one big twist: every fish has to be caught on a themed kids’ rod and reel no longer than three feet. The 2026 tournament is Saturday, November 7, with lines in at 7 a.m., and entries benefit the Jane Edwards Parent Teacher Organization.

At a Glance

• When: Captain’s meeting Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, 5:30 p.m.; fishing Saturday, Nov. 7, from 7 a.m.; weigh-in 4–5:30 p.m.
• Where: Edisto Watersports & Tackle, 3731 Docksite Road, Edisto Island
• Cost: $100 per team
• Organizer: Jane Edwards PTO
• Good for: Inshore anglers, families, friend groups who don’t take themselves too seriously

How the Tournament Works

It’s catch and release, and the gear rule is the great equalizer: a cartoon-themed rod and reel, three feet or shorter. Fish must come from free-flowing tidal water, and a boat is optional, so a team can fish from the bank, a dock, or a skiff.

Three categories are scored:

• Category A: the combined length of three redfish, with 1st through 3rd place prizes
• Category B: the single longest speckled trout
• Category C: the longest inshore slam, made up of three of these species: redfish, trout, flounder, black drum, and sheepshead

Teams must check in at the weigh-in in person by 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Full rules come from the organizers at the captain’s meeting.

Where to Fish Without a Boat

Since a boat isn’t required, shore access matters. On Edisto, options include the Environmental Learning Center dock in Edisto Beach State Park on Big Bay Creek (no fishing is allowed at the nearby Live Oak landing itself), and the public landings off SC-174 such as Steamboat Landing and the Dawho landing near the bridge onto the island. Our Edisto Island fishing guide covers spots and license basics, and boating regulations are worth a read if you’re taking a boat.

Who It Supports

The tournament benefits the Jane Edwards PTO, so your entry fee goes to a local parent-teacher group. The 2026 edition follows a 2025 tournament held November 14–15 at the same tackle shop with the same $100 fee.

Plan Your Visit

• Registering: There’s no online sign-up. Contact the organizers through the Chamber’s event listing or stop by Edisto Watersports & Tackle on Docksite Road.
• Tides: Plan your day around the water, not the clock. Check Edisto tide charts for November 7 before picking your spots.
• Gear: Bring a ruler and a camera, and confirm measuring and photo rules at the captain’s meeting.
• Next day: The Edisto Island Open Land Trust Oyster Roast is Sunday, November 8, at Sand Creek Farm on SC-174, if you want to make a weekend of it.
• Eat: For a post-weigh-in dinner, see our Edisto restaurant guide.

FAQ

When is the 2026 Kiddie Pole Classic?

Saturday, November 7, 2026, with lines in at 7 a.m. and weigh-in 4–5:30 p.m. The captain’s meeting is Friday, November 6, at 5:30 p.m.

How much does it cost to enter?

$100 per team.

Do I need a boat?

No. Any free-flowing tidal water counts, so you can fish from shore or a dock.

Can kids fish?

The tournament doesn’t list age limits, and the kid-size gear makes it a natural family event. Ask the organizers about team makeup.

Details from the Edisto Chamber of Commerce event listing as of October 2026; confirm with the organizer before you go. See more island dates in our Edisto Island events calendar.