Weather didn’t deter 135 Keys kids from participating in the 26th annual Keys Kids Fishing Derby on Sept. 24 hosted by the Lorelei.
Junior anglers paid no fee to participate in this event and participated in one of three different divisions, offshore, shoreline or backcountry. Awards were given for three different age groups in each of these divisions. Ditty bags packed full of fishing goodies from many local businesses and other donors, including a fishing rod for each angler from Fish Florida, were handed out to all kids who fished. Lines were in at 9 a.m. and the weigh scales closed at 1 p.m.
Last year’s winner, Brandon Greenwood, brought in a 20.2-pound amberjack to win grand champion angler for a second year in a row. Greenwood, 10, took home a fishing rod from Tackle Center of Islamorada, a framed Pasta Pantaleo print, the grand champion tournament trophy, award certificate and tackle box backpack from World Wide Sportsman, as well as other prizes and a story to tell for years to come.
There were many outstanding catches this year including tarpon, goliath grouper, red grouper, stingrays and other species. Jack Partagas released a 28-½-inch snook to win the most outstanding catch award. Partagas and all the other winning anglers were awarded fishing rods from Tackle Center of Islamorada, Pasta prints, tournament trophies, certificates and other goodies.
Over half of the anglers registered for the shoreline division, most fishing from the docks at the Lorelei, the home of the derby. Weighmaster Hudson Wampler weighed a 1-pound grunt for 2-year-old Thomas Zinkand, winning the 0-4 age division. Second place was Triton Zinkand, 4, with a 0.9-pound snapper, followed by Andrey Kuksa with a 0.7-pound snapper.
The largest fish caught from shore was a 1.5-pound snapper caught by Zyla Zinkand, 6, winning first place in the 5-7 age group. It was a three way tie for the 8-10 year olds. Malcolm Atkins, 9, was the first to weigh in a 0.8-pound grunt taking home the first place award. All fish caught at the Lorelei were released immediately after being weighed.
The backcountry division’s largest fish would be weighed in by Beau Evans who is 2 years old. The jack crevalle weighed in at 3.3 pounds. William Walsh weighed in a 2.2-pound snapper to take top honors in the 5-7 age group and Anthony Vargas, 10, won his division with a 2.9-pound jack.
Offshore angler Jack Bostron, 2, won his division with a 7.9-pound bonita. Dalton Biondoletti, 6, won the 5-7 age division with an 11-pound kingfish. Bentlee Malden, 10, landed a 10-pound mahi mahi to win her division for a second time. A full list of awards is on Facebook – Keys Kids Fishing Derby.
“Tournament founder Kathy Lewis was with us in spirit,” said Dianne Harbaugh, tournament director. “She brought us sunshine and rainbows for the awards. The Keys Kids Derby’s main purpose is to educate young anglers about fishing. This is the best day of the year, just watching these kids have fun catching and releasing fish. There are so many kids that get to catch their first fish. Without the help from the Islamorada Fishing and Conservation Trust, the Islamorada Charter Boat Association, Alina Davis and other local supporters we could not have made this such a great event.”
Lorelei chummed the waters, with chum supplied by Tackle Center of Islamorada. Sportsman’s Adventures donated all the ditty bags, Pantaleo supplied prints for all the winners. World Wide Sportsman donated tackle boxes and other prizes for all the winners. MJ Hudson and Kaylee Fordyce took all the pictures.
Florida Fish and Wildlife officers were on site to talk with the kids and help them fish. A casting contest was held on the beach where anglers won a multitude of prizes. Local captains helped the kids and volunteers helped bait hooks, keep score, check in anglers and hand out awards.
