The Islamorada Charter Boat Association hosted a successful Keys Kids Fishing Derby on Oct. 4 at the Lorelei restaurant and marina. The 29th annual event drew 142 anglers ages 10 and younger who participated in the offshore, shoreline or backcountry division.
When the scales closed, 10-year-old Brent Klefeker came away the grand champion with a 37.8-pound amberjack. He received a fishing rod from Tackle Center of Islamorada, a framed Pasta Pantaleo print, the grand champion trophy, a tackle-box backpack from World Wide Sportsman, sunglasses from Flying Fisherman and other gifts — along with a story to tell for years to come.
Klefeker’s brothers claimed first and second place in the offshore 8-10 division. Chase Klefeker took first with a 24.5-pound amberjack, and Brax Klefeker placed second with a 24.4-pound amberjack. Kadin Shahlamian, 9, finished third with a 10.7-pound mutton snapper.
In the 5-7 division, 6-year-old Lorelei Holsen won with an 8.1-pound grouper. Ben Hagen, 6, placed second with a 6.6-pound mutton snapper, while 5-year-old Cadence Penick took third with a 3.9-pound triggerfish.
Lorenzo Roman, 2, won the offshore 4-and-under division with a 6.9-pound grouper. Four-year-olds Stone Jackson and Dylan Holsen placed second and third with mutton snappers weighing 6.3 and 4.2 pounds, respectively.
Four-year-old Chase Cornell won the backcountry 4-and-under division with a 2.4-pound snapper. Jax Herrin placed second with a 1.7-pound snapper, and Lainey Herrin took third with a 1.5-pound snapper.
In the 5-7 division, 7-year-old Mark Kellish won with a 2.7-pound snapper. Axl Casanave placed second with a 1.9-pound snapper, followed by Rhett Raskob with a 1.5-pound snapper. All three winners in the backcountry 8-10 division were 9 years old: Ryan O’Neill took first with a 2-pound snapper, William Miller placed second with a 1.9-pound snapper, and Reid Raskob finished third with a 1.7-pound snapper.
The shoreline division allowed anglers to fish either at the Lorelei or from any shoreline location. In the 4-and-under division, 2-year-old Ohana Jones took first with a 1.2-pound snapper. Lincoln Hurin, 3, weighed and released a 0.6-pound grunt to place second, while 4-year-old Monroe Mason took third with a 0.6-pound grunt based on weigh-in time.
In the 5-7 division, Reagan Hurin won with a 1-pound mojarra. Sophia Dos-Reis placed second with a 0.7-pound snapper, and Claire Stanczyk took third also with a 0.7-pound snapper on time. The 8-10 division ended in a three-way tie, with each angler landing a 0.9-pound snapper. Weighing in first was 9-year-old Oliver Banaskiewicz winning his division, followed by Sadie Stanczyk and Evertt Brashares winning second and third respectively.
The Most Outstanding Catch award went to 7-year-old Grey Garcia, who caught and released a 42-inch goliath grouper.
“Our founder, Kathy Lewis, simply wanted to get kids fishing,” said tournament director Dianne Harbaugh. “The Keys Kids Derby’s primary goal is to teach young anglers about fishing.”
A complete list of awards and donors is available on the Keys Kids Fishing Derby Facebook page.
