Fort Gordon kids reel in a new hobby in fishing tournament - WFXG FOX54 Augusta - Your News One Hour Earlier

You might think it's impressive to see a 7-year-old reel in a bass all by herself, but earlier Saturday morning, with the help of her father, Kyla Herring caught two giant catfish; her first catch ever.

"Every single time I tried to catch a fish, it never happened," Herring said. "But this time I did.

Herring is one of dozens of kids ages 3-15 competing in Fort Gordon's Kids' Fishing Tournament. After recently restocking Boardman Lake with catfish, bass and crappie, the tourney is a chance for military families to get outdoors, and for their kids to discover a new hobby.

"For many, it is a first-time opportunity," said James Green, director of Fort Gordon's Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Department. "And for some we hope it's a lifetime experience and a lifetime sport that they can be involved in wherever they live."

For every place the Cox family has lived, they always enjoy a little father-son fishing competition. And with ten years of experience, the three Cox brothers are picky about the fish they hook.

"When a bass hits, it tries to run away, and no other fish really tries to," said Reggie Cox, a 15-year-old competitor in the tournament. "So with a bass, the bigger the bass; the bigger the fight, and that's what we want."

But the Cox's fish didn't measure up to Herring's line of fish. She took home the top prize. Weighing in at 22lbs and 6oz, her bucket of catfish won her the tournament of her age group; proving even littler fishermen can make a big splash.