Davy Hite is hoping to create a Reel Connection. That’s the mission, as well as the name, of the program he’s helping by offering a father and child to go on a fishing trip with him.
Partnering with the South Carolina Center For Fathers and Families, Hite is the prize of a random draw for a Father’s Day fishing excursion. He will take the winner and their child out for a day of fishing, food and fellowship.
“I do it just to bring awareness to the center and what they do. Let people know there is help there for young men who want become better fathers,” said Hite, who was asked by acquaintances to join the Center’s board of trustees. “They know from me coming from a home where the parents separated at a young age and my grandparents raised me.
“They know I’m passionate about how much it means to have that father figure in a household. A lot of people become dads at a young age and don’t know what to do, or how to do it. They just need a little help on learning how important it is to be a father to your children.”
The former Bassmaster Elite Series pro turned TV color analyst is a devout family man to wife, Natalie, and sons Parker and Peyton. The Center, a ministry of the Sisters of Charity Health System, was formed to reduce child poverty through father engagement and is the longest running program of its kind in the state.
Fathers with a son or daughter at least 7 years of age can enter their information on The Reel Connection website. Deadline to enter is midnight Thursday, and the draw will take place Friday. Hite said he will confer with the winner to determine the lake and dates of the trip, most likely in September or October.
“Just try to have some good family time on the water; what a better way to have a good father-son time than fishing,” he said. “I think one of the great assets of our sport is to be able to go out and spend quality time with your children.”
Last year, Bear Napier and his daughter, Amanda, fished with Hite on a lake near their home in Waterloo.
“We went on Lake Greenwood, caught a lot of fish,” Hite said. “We’ll spend a few hours in the morning, have a good lunch, and go spend a few hours in the afternoon. Just have good fellowship, good time and it’s a great way to bring awareness to dads, show them there’s a lot of different things you can do.”