The Islamorada Charter Boat Association welcomed 95 young anglers up to the age of 10 for the 28th annual Keys Kids Fishing Derby on Sept. 28.
Hosted at the Lorelei Restaurant in Islamorada, the tournament allowed junior anglers to fish in offshore, shoreline or backcountry divisions. Lines were in at 9 a.m. and the weigh scales closed at 1 p.m.
Felix Stanczyk was this year’s grand champion with a 26.4-pound kingfish. Stanczyk, 8, took home a fishing rod from Tackle Center of Islamorada, a framed Pasta Pantaleo print, the grand champion tournament trophy, award certificate and a tackle box backpack from World Wide Sportsman, among other prizes.
Forty-five anglers registered for the shoreline division, most fishing from the docks at the Lorelei. Weighmasters Brandon Greenwood and Gage Knopp weighed a 1.5-pound snapper from Tackle Center’s monster truck for 2-year-old Maddie Johnson, winning the 4-and-under age division. Second-place shoreline was Maddie’s sister, 4-year-old Harper, with a one pound snapper followed by 2-year-old Owen Burns with a .7-pound grunt. Winning anglers were awarded fishing rods from Tackle Center of Islamorada, Pasta Prints, tournament trophies, award certificates and lots of other great gifts.
In the 5-7 age group, first place went to Julia Ford, 5, who caught a 1.3-pound snapper, followed by Raelyn Edwards, 7, who caught a 0.9-pound grunt. Third place went to Brooklyn Sage Tsang, 7, with a 0.8-pound grunt.
Allie MacShane, 10, won the 8-10 age group with her 1-pound snapper, which was weighed a few minutes before Emma Evans, who also caught a 1-pound snapper. Evans finished second. Third place went to 8-year-old Landon Holley with a 0.9-pound snapper.
All fish caught at the Lorelei were released immediately after being weighed.
Backcountry division anglers Beau and Emma Evans both weighed in 0.9-pound snappers. Beau, 4, weighed in first and Emma, 2, would take second place on time. Emilia DeSantis, 3, won third place with a 0.7-pound snapper. In the 5-7 age group, Anneka Douma weighed in a 2.2-pound mackerel to win the division. Gray Garcia took second place with a 1.5-pound jack on time and Ames Douma, 7, took third place with his 1.5-pound jack.
Winner of the 8-10 year olds was 8-year-old Nealey Cockerham with a 1.7 pound jack. Second place went to Fisher Gregory, 8, with his 0.7-pound snapper.
Offshore angler Eli Lambert, 4 won his division with an 8.7-pound tuna. Second place was 4-year-old Claire Stanczyk with a 7.9-pound tuna and Dylan Holsen, 3, won third place with a 1.7-pound snapper. Kneyland Cloyd won the 5-7 age group with an 8.9-pound king mackerel. Hayes Davis, 6, took second place with an 8.2-pound dolphin and third place went to 7-year-old Sadie Stanczyk with a 5.7-pound tuna.
Jennings Early, 8, won his division with a 16.4-pound bonito. Dalton Biondoletti, 8, landed a 5.9-pound dolphin for second place. Morada Mason, 9, caught a 1.9-pound snapper to take third place.
Award winners received ditty bags full of fishing and other goodies from many local businesses and other donors. Fish Florida gave a fishing rod and tackle box to anglers who did not have them.
There were many outstanding catches this year including tarpon, goliath grouper, redfish, snook and other species. This year’s winner was 7-year-old Robert Handbury, who released his first tarpon.
Local law enforcement 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. Mote Marine, IGFA, Marine Lab, Florida Keys Wildlife Society and the National Park Service were on hand to educate the kids and adults. Lorelei donated all the food including donuts, water and juice in the morning and hot dogs and sodas in the afternoon.
“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.
“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. We can’t wait until next year,” Harbaugh said.
