A 117 Keys Kids, all 10 years old and younger, participated in the 18th Annual Keys Kids Fishing Derby on September 27th. 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. Hosted at the Lorelei, ditty bags packed full of fishing goodies from many local businesses and other donors, including a fishing rod from Fish Florida, were handed out to all kids who fished. Lines were in at 9am and the weigh scales closed at 1PM.
The Grand Champion Angler Beau Vaeth, age 10, tipped the scales with a 36.4 pound Amberjack, the largest fish in the tournament. Beau took home a Pasta Pantaleo Print, a tackle box from Saltwater Experience along with a tournament trophy, certificate, brand new fishing rod, and a story to tell for years to come. Most Outstanding Catch awards went to Harlee Beeler with a 25” Snook and Tyler Mell with a 32” Redfish, both fish were released. The largest fish in the offshore division would go to 9 year old Kegan Beeler with a 19.6 pound Amberjack. Angler Katelyn Gillman, age 10, weighed in the largest fish in the Backcountry division. Her Jack weighed in at 12.9 pounds. Fishing from the docks at the Lorelei, with bait donated by Tackle Center of Islamorada, over 60 of the anglers were registered in the shoreline division including 10 year old Laila Jones. Laila who has Down Syndrome has fished the tournament for years and this year took home 2nd place in the 8-10 year old age group, with a Jack weighing in at .8 Pounds. It would be 10 year old Ian Arnspiger fishing from the Lorelei that would take the largest fish in the shoreline division with a 1.5 pound snapper. 
“Tournament founder Kathy Lewis was with us in spirit,” stated tournament director Dianne Harbaugh, “Kathy passed unexpectedly in March and I miss her tremendously. The Keys Kids Derby’s main purpose is to educate young anglers. We have tackle available here at the Lorelei for kids that would normally not have a chance to go 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 financial help from Islamorada Fishing and Conservation Trust, the Islamorada Charter Boat Association, Jim and Mary Deitz, Jim and Mary Ann Bokor, Dr. Travis Bennett, Dr. Paul Bernstein and local supporters we could not have made this such a great event.”
A huge thank you goes to the Lorelei for chumming the waters for our junior anglers. Mangrove Mike’s supplied us all with donuts and coffee to get the day started. Paul Tejera donated Back bone lures for each ditty bag. Barry and Diane of Poseidon Towing gave each kid a chamois and bucket, World Wide Sportsman donated cups and Caribee Boat Sales donated bottles of water. Ocean Reef Rod and Gun Club donated hats, David Wirth gave shirts, and Flying Fisherman gave buffs for each ditty bag. Seachoice Marine products donated 100 goodies and Dr. Bernstein gave tooth brushes. Pasta Pantaleo backed, bagged and supplied prints for all the winners, and MJ Hudson took all the wonderful pictures. A casting contest was held on the beach where anglers won a multitude of prizes. Coral Shores Cheerleaders raised money with the hot dogs donated by the Lorelei. All the winners received a donated Pasta Pantaleo print, certificate, fishing rod and a trophy. A special thanks also goes out to the Captains who donated their boats and took kids fishing. Volunteers helped bait hooks, keep score, check in anglers, and made the day go perfectly! We would like to thank all those who helped to make this event the success it was. We can’t wait until the last Sunday of September next year!