District 5 4-H Youth Development
District 5 4-H Youth DevelopmentTeaching, Research, Extension and Service

2023 Texas 4-H Virtual Reel ‘em in Fishing Skill-a-thon

This event is open to all registered Texas 4-H members, including Clover Kids

What is a Skill-a-thon?

The Virtual Skill-a-thon is comprised of two parts:

  1. Learn to Earn Educational Opportunities – to provide information in which youth participants and adults can gain knowledge on fishing tips and techniques, both for freshwater and saltwater species. No fee to participate.
  2. Reel ‘em in Tournament – scheduled dates for 4-H youth to fish at their location with the chance of winning monthly and overall tournament awards and prizes.

Follow the 5 steps below in numerical order to participate in the tournament portion of the skill-a-thon:

Step 1: 4-H Enrollment

  • Be enrolled in 4-H as a youth member (3rd – 12th grades) or Clover Kid (K – 2nd grades) for the 2022-2023 year.
  • If you are not in 4-H, join by setting up your family profile on 4HOnline at https://texas.4honline.com or contact your local county Extension agent for assistance with enrollment in your county 4-H program.
  • Not sure who is your county agent? Click this link to enter your county name and find contact information: https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/counties

Step 2: Event Registration

  • Spring Event
    • February 1, 2023 – Registration will open on 4HOnline https://texas.4honline.com
    • March 7, 2023 – Regular registration closes and late registration begins
    • Select 2023 Texas 4-H Virtual Reel ‘em in – Spring from the event list
    • Register and compete as an individual angler ( 4-H member or Clover Kid) (no team entries)
    • March 31, 2023 – Last date to register to participate in the spring tournament. Only those registered on 4-H Online by the deadline will be eligible to participate.
  • Summer Event
    • April 17, 2023 – Registration opens on 4HOnline https://texas.4honline.com
    • May 21, 2023 – Regular registration closes and late registration begins
    • Select 2023 Texas 4-H Virtual Reel ‘Em In – Summer for the event list.
    • Register and compete as an individual angler ( 4-H member or Clover Kid) (no team entries)
    • June 30, 2023 – Last date to register to participate in the summer tournament. Only those registered on 4HOnline by the deadline will be eligible to participate.

  • 4-H youth anglers (grades 3rd – 12th): You may register for either division or both. The entry fee is per 4-H angler per division.
    • ➢ Freshwater Division: $50
    • ➢ Saltwater Division: $50
      • Note: We are unable to issue any refunds once your payment has been submitted.
    • Clover Kids participate for bragging rights and a certificate. Photos of Clover Kids with their “big fish” can be posted to the Texas 4-H Natural Resources Facebook group, if desired. https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=texas%204-h%20natural%20resources
      • Clover Kids do not earn a place on the FishDonkey leaderboard. and DO NOT set-up a profile on the FishDonkey app.
      • There is no fee for their participation, however, they must be registered on 4HOnline.

If you are a Clover Kid, SKIP TO STEP 4.

Step 3: Download Judging App

  • After your payment has been accepted in 4HOnline, go to FishDonkey to download the app to your mobile device and/or computer.
  • There is no fee for participants to use this app.
  • Set up your profile in FishDonkey. Select the Division you choose in 4HOnline (Freshwater and/or Saltwater). If you registered for BOTH divisions, make sure you choose to participate in both.
    • 2023 Spring Texas 4-H Virtual Reel ‘em in – Freshwater
    • 2023 Spring Texas 4-H Virtual Reel ‘em in – Saltwater
  • When setting up your profile, in the “Street 2” box, list the county of your 4-H club.
  • On the app, use the tutorial to practice how to measure and upload pics.
  • Questions? See FishDonkey App Tip sheets on the last page for additional information.

Step 4: Fish the Tournament – Judging Criteria under Rules & Guidelines

Spring Event

  • On March 20, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. the app will open for you to begin uploading your pictures of your fish to be judged and posted to the official leaderboard.
  • The spring tournament closes on May 31, 2023 at 11:59 p.m.

Summer Event

  • On June 12, 2022, at 12:00 p.m. the app will open for you to begin uploading your pictures of your fish to be judged and posted to the official leaderboard.
  • The summer tournament closes on August 23, 2023 at 11:59 p.m.

Step 5: Complete the Post-Survey

  • A link and QR code will be emailed to 4-H participants to complete a short survey to tell us about your skill-a-thon participation experience. An optional survey will be provided adults via email to provide feedback on the program.
    • ➢ May 28-June 12 – spring tournament survey will be open for completion.
    • ➢ August 20-September 5 – summer tournament survey will be open for completion.
  • Note: Awards and prizes will only be provided 4-H members in which fee has been received and post-survey completed (a reminder will be sent to you).

Resources: