Fifty-seven younger anglers aboard 21 boats took to the Islamorada waters on Feb. 8 for the second annual Keys Youngsters Sailfish Match. The free, one-day competitors welcomed youth in two divisions: small-fry for as much as age 10 and junior for ages 11-16.
Regardless of stunning morning circumstances, fishing proved difficult in east winds of 10-12 knots, which step by step diminished all through the day.
Marathon-based Essential Attraction claimed prime honors with three sailfish releases. The profitable crew featured junior anglers Tripp Avera and Russell Clark, alongside small-fry competitor Natalie Lewis.
Group Heavy Weapons secured second place with two releases, led by junior angler Gauge Nopp from Islamorada, and small-fry division anglers from Key Largo in Thomas, Triton and Zyla Zinkand. Group Yabba Dabba Doo, that includes small-fry anglers Fisher Gregory and Ben Hagen, each from Tavernier, positioned third after scoring the event’s first sailfish simply half-hour after lines-in.
Division honors went to Aiden Zeher on Group Zeher Boys from Tavernier, within the junior class and Fisher Gregory from Group Yabba Dabba Doo within the small-fry division, every with one sailfish launch.
The event additionally acknowledged 14 excellent catches in different species. Marathon junior angler Pablo Rodriguez, aboard the Silent Hunter, earned prime honors with two mahi-mahi. Small-fry competitor Logan Silva, of Group Smile Maker in Islamorada, impressed judges with a notable wahoo.
“The awards ceremony at Crooked Palm was implausible,” mentioned event founder and Sort out Heart Islamorada proprietor Donny Lange. “They did an excellent job internet hosting us each nights.”
Plans are underway for a fair larger occasion subsequent 12 months. Grundens, NLBN, Crowder Rods, TJ Zinkand of Stay Motion Charters, and Dianne Harbaugh had been acknowledged for supporting the children fish event. Extra info is at www.tacklecenter.com.
