The Islamorada Charter Boat Association hosted another successful Keys Kids Fishing Derby on October 4 at the Lorelei restaurant and marina. The 29th annual event drew 142 anglers ages 10 and younger, who participated free of charge in the Offshore, Shoreline, or Backcountry division. Awards were presented in three age groups within each division. Participants received ditty bags filled with fishing gear and other items donated by local businesses and supporters. Through Fish Florida, anglers without equipment also received a fishing rod and tackle box. Lines went in at 9 a.m., and the weigh scales closed at 1 p.m.
Ten-year-old Brent Klefeker was named Grand Champion after landing a 37.8-pound amberjack. His prizes included a fishing rod from Tackle Center of Islamorada, a framed Pasta Pantaleo print, the Grand Champion trophy, an award certificate, an impressive tackle-box backpack from World Wide Sportsman, sunglasses from Flying Fisherman, and other gifts—along with a story to tell for years to come.
Brent’s brothers claimed first and second place in the Offshore 8–10 division. Chase Klefeker took first with a 24.5-pound amberjack, and Brax Klefeker placed second with a 24.4-pound amberjack. Nine-year-old Kadin Shahlamian finished third with a 10.7-pound mutton snapper. In the 5–7 division, six-year-old Lorelei Holsen won with an 8.1-pound grouper. Six-year-old Ben Hagen placed second with a 6.6-pound mutton snapper, while five-year-old Cadence Penick took third with a 3.9-pound triggerfish. Two-year-old Lorenzo Roman won the Offshore 0–4 division with a 6.9-pound grouper. Four-year-olds Stone Jackson and Dylan Holsen placed second and third with mutton snappers weighing 6.3 and 4.2 pounds, respectively.
Four-year-old Chase Cornell won the Backcountry 0–4 division with a 2.4-pound snapper. Jax Herrin placed second with a 1.7-pound snapper, and Lainey Herrin took third with a 1.5-pound snapper. In the 5–7 division, seven-year-old Mark Kellish won with a 2.7-pound snapper. Axl Casanave placed second with a 1.9-pound snapper, followed by Rhett Raskob with a 1.5-pound snapper. All three winners in the Backcountry 8–10 division were nine years old: Ryan O’Neill took first with a 2.0-pound snapper, William Miller placed second with a 1.9-pound snapper, and Reid Raskob finished third with a 1.7-pound snapper.
The Shoreline division allowed anglers to fish either at the Lorelei or from any shoreline location. In the 0–4 division, two-year-old Ohana Jones took first with a 1.2-pound snapper. Three-year-old Lincoln Hurin weighed and released a 0.6-pound grunt to place second, while four-year-old Monroe Mason took third with a 0.6 pound grunt based on weigh-in time. In the 5–7 division, Reagan Hurin won with a 1.0-pound mojarra. Sophia Dos-Reis placed second with a 0.7-pound snapper, and Claire Stanczyk took third also with a 0.7-pound snapper on time. The 8–10 division ended in a three-way tie, with each angler landing a 0.9-pound snapper. Weighing in first was nine-year-old Oliver Banaskiewicz winning his division, followed by Sadie Stanczyk and Evertt Brashares winning second and third respectively.
The most outstanding catch award went to seven-year-old Grey Garcia who caught and released a 42” goliath grouper that almost dragged him out of the boat.
A heartfelt thank-you goes to the Lorelei for chumming the waters and opening its shoreline to young anglers for this special day. The Lorelei also provided breakfast treats, water and juice in the morning, followed by hot dogs and sodas in the afternoon. Sportsman’s Adventures donated the goodie bags, while Pasta and Angela Pantaleo backed, bagged, and supplied prints for every winner. World Wide Sportsman provided tackle boxes, games, and other prizes, and Flying Fisherman gave each winner a pair of sunglasses. Morada Mason and Diane Ambrogio captured the day in photographs. Brandon Greenwood and his cousin served as the official weighmasters. Local law enforcement officers talked with the children and helped them fish, while Mote Marine and the Florida Keys Wildlife Society offered educational activities for children and adults. Anglers also competed in a beach casting contest for a variety of prizes. Special thanks go to the local captains, volunteers, and former participants who aged out at 11 but returned to bait hooks, keep score, check in anglers, present awards, and help the day run smoothly. We are grateful to everyone who helped make the event such a success.
“Our founder, Kathy Lewis, simply wanted to get kids fishing,” said tournament director Dianne Harbaugh. “The Keys Kids Derby’s primary goal is to teach young anglers about fishing. At the Lorelei, we can provide everything children need, especially those who might not otherwise have the opportunity. Fish Florida supplies each angler with a rod and tackle box, funded through sales of its sailfish license plates, and Tackle Center of Islamorada provides the bait. Watching these kids have fun catching and releasing fish makes this the best day of the year. So many catch their first fish here! We could not create such a special event without support from the Islamorada Fishing and Conservation Trust, the Islamorada Charter Boat Association, Alina Davis, and other local supporters. We look forward to celebrating the tournament’s 30th anniversary next year with even more prizes and enhancements. We can’t wait!” A complete list of awards and donors is available on the Keys Kids Fishing Derby Facebook page.