A total of 148 young anglers, from toddlers to 10-year-olds, took part in the 27th annual Keys Kids Fishing Derby on Sept. 29, at the Lorelei.
Kids fish in one of three different divisions, offshore, shoreline or backcountry and awards are given for three different age groups in each of these divisions. Ditty bags packed full of fishing and other goodies from many local businesses and other donors, including a fishing rod with tackle box 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.
Eva McCadie was this year’s grand champion with a 27.7-pound amberjack. McCadie, 10, went home with 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 WorldWide Sportsman, as well as other prizes and a story to tell for years to come.
Sixty-five 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 1.6-pound snapper for 3-year-old Thomas Zinkand, winning the 0-to-4 age division. Zinkand and all the other winning anglers were awarded fishing rods from Tackle Center of Islamorada, Pasta Prints, tournament trophies, award certificates and lots of other great gifts. Second-place shoreline was Kerious Jones, 4, with a .9-pound snapper followed by 3-year-old Harper Johnson with a .8-pound snapper. It was a tie for first and second in the 5-to-7-age group. Winning first place on time was Zyla Zinkand, 7, with a 2.2-pound snapper, followed by her 5-year-old brother Triton Zinkand. Third place went to Destin Clark, 6, with a 1.8-pound snapper.
Nine-year-old Madison Whitehead weighed a .9-pound snapper taking first place in the 8-to-10-year olds. Malcom Atkins, 10, weighed a 1.0 pound snapper, taking second place, and third place went to 10-year-old Nicholas Blanko with a .8-pound snapper. All fish caught at the Lorelei were released immediately after being weighed in.
The backcountry division’s largest fish would be weighed in by Boone Hickory, 4. His jack crevalle weighed 3.3 pounds. Three-year-old Beau Evans weighed a 3-pound jack and Conrad Hickory, 2, came in third with a 2.4-pound jack. Seven-year-old Felix Stanczyk won his division with a 2.4-pound snapper. Rider Early was second place with a 2.3-pound snapper and William Walsh took third place with his 1-pound jack. Winner of the 8-to-10-year-olds was Bradley Ekblom with a 2.4-pound snapper. Emma Rodriguez took second place with a 1.5-pound snapper and Easton Meyers weighed in the only black drum a 1.4-pounder for third.
Offshore angler Marlin Mason, 2, won his division with a 9.4-pound dolphin. Second place was 4-year-old Bella Bastron with a 7.9-pound dolphin and Jack Bastron, age 3, won third place with a 6.6-pound dolphin. Sadie Stanczyk won the 5-to-7 age group with her 11.1-pound tuna. Fisher Gregory took second place with a 7.4-pound tuna. Third place went to Avery Hamilton with a 7.3-pound dolphin. Eight-year-old Morada Mason won her division with an 8.8-pound dolphin and Carlotte Nason won second place with a 8.3-pound dolphin on time. The other 8.3 pounder won third place for Avery Hamilton.
There were many outstanding catches this year including tarpon, goliath grouper, redfish, snook and other species. This year’s winner was 4-year-old Bryce Miller, who released two snook and weighed in a 0.9 pound snapper. He also jumped a tarpon near the boat.
“Our founder Kathy Lewis just wanted to get kids fishing,” said tournament director Dianne Harbaugh. “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.”
