The Islamorada Charter Boat Association hosted another successful Keys Kids Fishing Derby
on October 4 at the Lorelei restaurant and marina. The 29 th 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 30 th
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.