Without question, Oh Boy! Oberto Redfish Cup anglers have a deep-seeded love for tournament redfishing. This passion to compete, which at times may border on the addictive, has meant razor-thin margins of victory and the most exciting and dramatic tournament finales in the six-year history of the Redfish Cup.

But according to Redfish Cup pro Brian Ulch, there’s a unique group of people whose enthusiasm for fishing makes the guys with the wrapped-boats look like they’re just dragging a line on a sputtering houseboat.
 
“I have met thousands of anglers,” Ulch said, waiting in his boat for Hopedale’s Day One weigh-in, “and we don’t like fishing anything near these special people do.”
 
These special people are the handicapped, seriously-ill and underprivileged individuals who participate in the Wish2Fish program. Founded by Ulch and fellow angler Heath Seckel, Wish2Fish, Inc. provides opportunities for those who may not otherwise have the chance to climb aboard a boat, let alone reel in a fish. Ulch contends, they might just love fishing more than his Redfish Cup colleagues.
 
Since the organization’s inception in late 2007, Ulch and Seckel have orchestrated seven different fishing trips for guests of all ages. Friends, volunteer fishing guides and community donate their time and money to make the trips possible.

“These trips just turn unforgettable fishing days into unforgettable days,” Seckel said.

The inspiration to create Wish2Fish came literally, from right next door. One a lazy weekend between tournament seasons, the two central Florida-based pros were planning a trip to a flat off the coast of Sarasota. The pair had identified the spot during a previous tournament in the eastern Gulf.

Seckel’s neighbor, a 38-year-old, mentally-challenged adult named Dennis, noticed the anglers preparing their boat and gear. Dennis lived for all things fishing already having a couple fishing trips under his belt, and Ulch turned to Seckel with an idea.

“I just said, ‘hey, let’s take Dennis fishing,’” Ulch said.

With his family’s approval, (Wish2 Fish does require a legal guardian to accompany each minor) Dennis joined the fishing party, and headed out for a full day of fun. Just minutes after launch, the wide-eyed guest hooked up and landed his first speckled trout.

Two hours later, the focused angler had netted five different oversized redfish, including his largest redfish catch ever. Everyone burst into a roaring applause as the proud angler displayed his prized catch. The ear-to-ear grin Dennis wore starting with his first fish stayed on his face for days after the trip. 

“Nothing can quite compare to catching a redfish during a tournament that is exactly 27 inches but watching someone like him catch a once-in-a-lifetime fish is far better,” Seckel said his excited neighbor.

This one small trip stirred the collective souls of both Redfish Cup pros. During the drive back to Winter Haven, Fla., their discussion centered on the idea of starting a charity that could create similar trips and experiences for that would enjoy such a diversion from the everyday.

“We realized that we are very fortunate to be able to be on the water year after year,” Ulch said. “Just because some individuals have special needs doesn’t mean they can’t also enjoy the sport we all love.”

After Ulch returned home from Sarasota, he searched for information on the Internet regarding how to begin the process of creating a Florida corporation. He found it and quickly began the paperwork. The entire filing procedure lasted approximately two months.

“About six months later, I got the letter from the IRS that I had been looking forward to,” Ulch said. “They were congratulating me on the successful creation of a 501 3c organization. We were officially a charity.”

Today, Wish2Fish continues to grow due and offer more and more trips to other well-deserving people. Although donations have been pouring in on the grassroots level, the charity is frequently featured in newspapers, magazines and on television shows, including exposure on a number of fishing tours.

Wish2Fish’s most recent outing involved an 11-year-old boy named Will Sutton and was featured on a national television network.

Sutton, was born with ocular albinism, a visual impairment caused by a lack of pigment in the eye. Sutton wears protective eyewear and sunglasses to prevent sunlight or bright light from damaging his acute vision. A beautiful grouper found Will “The Thrill’s” line first. Next, he landed a perfect slot redfish before a much larger red forced the young angler to give his tired arms a break and let his father enjoy the catch.

“We didn’t even know this family before the trip,” Seckel said. “But since then we have gained a relationship with this great family. That’s what this is all about.”