With light winds out of the east, 67 anglers boarded 24 boats for the Florida Keys Elks Lodge’s 12th annual Ladies Dolphin Tournament, presented by Townsend Plumbing, on June 13.
The combined weight of three fish would decide the winners in this one-day fishing event.
When the weigh scales closed, there was a tie for first place. Since ties are decided on time, the win went to team Smile Maker. Fish captain Zachary Sullivan, aboard the family’s boat, with mates Bill Sullivan and Carlos Torres, weighed in first and received a check for $3,000 along with a $200 gift certificate to Islamorada Fishing Outfitters and the first-place captain award, a Pasta Pantaleo print.
Anglers Jennifer and Brianna Sullivan from Naples and Missie Schneider from Gainesville weighed three fish totaling 23.0 pounds. First-place tiaras and trophies, sponsored by Townsend Plumbing, and bouquets of roses were awarded to the winners along with a large travel bag full of valuable prizes from local merchants.
Fish captain Matthew Voll and mate Robert Voll lead their team Last Minute to second place, sponsored by Caribee Boat Sales and Yamaha Outboards. They received a check for $1,500 plus awards and a bag full of prizes. Anglers Denise Alfaro from Miami, Dania Benito from Cooper City and Danielle Cooney from Plantation weighed in at the last minute with fish totaling 23 pounds.
The largest dolphin caught went to first-time tournament angler Renie Howell of Key Largo. Renie was fishing with her husband, fish captain Lou Howell, when they came across an 18.8-pound mahi. She was awarded the DePaula Pendant, roses with a tiara plus a check for $1,000.
Top junior angler, 13-year-old Hannah Lanfersiek from Casselberry, Florida caught a 6.6-pound dolphin on Sara’s Slammers. She was awarded a David Wirth original Island Fish Hook Sculpture on a stone base, along with roses and a tiara. Hannah was fishing with Martina and Nancy Lanfersiek and Sandy Rolanson, all from Florida.
Third-place went to Team Sea 5 Bouys, with fish captain Steve Leatherman and Mate Ryan Leatherman. Anglers Astin Leatherman from Vero Beach was fishing with friends Lauren Hall from Tavernier and Stacy Terry from Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. Their three fish totaled 21.9 pounds, winning them $1,000, awards and a bag full of goodies.
The tournament kicked off at the Florida Keys Elks Lodge 1872 on June 12, with two tables full of food and a boatload of shrimp. The Catch in Key Largo catered for an awards dinner on June 13 that was followed by a delicious dessert.
“The Elks have such worthy charities that this event will help to support, including the kids therapy van and a summer camp for local students,” said tournament director Dianne Harbaugh. “The success of this event was the result of a lot of hard work from a great team of people who all came together and put on a tremendous show.”
More information on the Elks and the charities they support is at www.floridakeyselks.com or stop by at MM 92.6 on the bayside.
