148 anglers ages 0-10 took part in the 27th Annual Keys Kids Fishing Derby on September 29th, hosted by the Lorelei. Junior anglers pay no fee to participate in this event. They may 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 9AM and the weigh scales closed at 1PM.
Eva McCadie was this year’s Grand Champion with a 27.7 pound Amberjack. 10 year old Eva took home a fishing rod from Tackle Center of Islamorada, a framed Pasta Pantaleo print, the grand champion tournament trophy, award certificate, and awesome tackle box backpack from World Wide 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 0-4 age division. Thomas 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 age 4 with a .9 pound Snapper followed by 3 year old Harper Johnson with a .8 pound snapper. It was a tie for 1st and 2nd in the 5-7 age group. Winning 1st place on time was Zyla Zinkand age 7 with a 2.2 pound snapper, followed by her 5 year old brother Triton Zinkand. Third place went to Destin Clark who is 6 with a 1.8 pound snapper. Nine year old Madison Whitehead weighed a .9 pound snapper taking 1st place in the 8-10 year olds. Malcom Atkins who is 10, weighed a 1.0 pound snapper 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 who is 4 years old. His jack crevalle weighed 3.3 pounds. 3 year old Beau Evans weighed a 3.0 pound jack and Conrad Hickory age 2 came in third with a 2.4 pound jack. 7 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 1.9 pound jack. Winner of the 8-10 year olds was Bradley Ekbloom 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 who is two years old 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 three won third place with a 6.6 pound dolphin. Sadie Stanczyk won the 5-7 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 with released two nice snook, weighed in a 0.9 pound snapper and he jumped a tarpon near the boat.
A huge thank you goes to the Lorelei for chumming the waters and allowing the kids to fish from shore this one day a year. Sportsman’s Adventures donated all the goodie bags, Pasta Pantaleo backed, bagged and supplied prints for all the winners. World Wide Sportsman donated tackle boxes, hats and other prizes for all the winners. MJ Hudson took all the wonderful pictures. 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. Lorelei was amazing, donating all the food including donuts, water and juice in the morning and hot dogs, soda and more water later in the day that were served up by the boy scouts from troop 914. The Veath family served up special tournament drinks for all the kids. A special thank-you goes out to the local captains, volunteers, and past anglers who aged out of the tournament when they turned 11, who came by to help the kids bait hooks, keep score, check in anglers, hand out awards and make the day go perfectly! We would like to thank all those who helped to make this event the success it was.
“Our founder Kathy Lewis just wanted to get kids fishing”, stated tournament director Dianne Harbaugh. “The Keys Kids Derby’s main purpose is to educate young anglers about fishing. We have everything available here at the Lorelei for kids that would normally not have a chance to go fishing. This includes fishing rods and tackle boxes for each angler from Fish Florida, who funds their efforts thru the sale of Fish Florida sailfish license plates, and bait supplied by Tackle Center of Islamorada. 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. We can’t wait until the last Sunday of September next year!” A full list of awards and donors can be found on Facebook – Keys Kids Fishing Derby.