November and December brought record numbers of black crappie to the 8th Derby. Hickory and American shad are now abundant in the St. Johns River System. If you are reading this and have yet to sign up for this free fishing tournament, visit www.cfshadderby.com to find the nearest of 25 sign up locations – you will need an official ruler and photo token for this catch-photo-release tourney open to the public FREE through February 28, 2016.
Boat Tree Marina sponsored this year’s Crappie Rally on December 10. This season their Kids Fishing Tournament combined with the Crappie Rally brought more than 100 folks together for angling fun, comradery, and of course making memories for the Kids! First, second and third place trophies were awarded! Ages 0-6: 1st Gavin Sutton, 2nd Elwood Tucker, 3rd Jaeric Herrera; Ages 7-11: 1st Matthew Carr, 2nd Sam Simmons, 3rd Matthew Demetree; Ages 12-16: 1st Gregory Seaver, 2nd Connor Beare, 3rd Madison Gross.
Adults got in on the fun at the Crappie rally with the Crappie.com anglers and Highbanks Marina’s snowbirds raking in the prizes. The Crappie Rally one day tournament in a tournament is the only chance to fish for weight, the Derby fish are measured in inches. John Todd (a.k.a. Flycaster on Crappie.com) won first place with his 1.89lb fish and received a crispy $100 bill from Orlando Coastal Angler Magazine’s CoPublisher Phil Wolf and editor Charlie McCullough. Runner-Up crappie angler goes to Rick Hacker with a 1.67 pounder, and Lady Angler Patty Wisner with her 1.32 pound speck – both received a 14 foot Berkley® C-Series Crappie Pro Spinning Rod. Gregory Seaver caught the heaviest kids fish and received a B’n’M Poles Buck’s Ultimate Jig Rod.
This year we will not be releasing the size in inches of the crappie and shad entered – until the awards ceremony – as soon as the sizes are listed online or in print, folks are not inclined to upload their trophy catches… However the names of the leaders are not a secret! Hint: 16” crappie has not been entered – yet!
Current Derby Leaders: (no shad entered at time of this update)
Mens Crappie: Chuck Thompson
Womens Crappie: Patty Wisner
Youth Crappie: Kaden Sanchez
November Big Crappie Winner: Chuck Thompson
