Local Ladies win 10th Annual Ladies Dolphin Tournament of the Florida Keys!

Under fair skies and almost calm seas 83 anglers boarded 31 boats on June 8th for the Florida Keys Elks Lodge’s 10th Annual Ladies Dolphin Tournament presented by Stormtech Restoration. The combined weight of three fish would determine the winners in this one-day fishing event. 

When the weigh scales closed at 5PM on Saturday, Captain Brian Barrus of the Gone Fishing in Key Largo would be in the winner’s circle. Anglers Robyn Frick and Sherri Santese of Tavernier fishing with Aimee Anderson from Key Largo would weigh three fish totaling 17.6 pounds. First place tiaras and trophies, sponsored by Upper Keys Marine Construction, and bouquets of flowers from Key Largo Florist were awarded to the winners along with a large travel bag full of valuable prizes from local merchants and a check for $3,000.00. Captain Brian received a Pasta print and Mate JR took home a brand-new fishing rod and reel sponsored by Townsend Plumbing.   Sherri’s 10.3-pound dolphin would be the largest of the tournament netting her a $1,000.00 check along with the Depaula Jewelers gold sailfish pendant and another bouquet of flowers.

Shake & Bake team Waffle Crappers were awarded second place trophies sponsored by Miller Recreation and North Miami Motorsports. Anglers Ashley Fernandez and Elizabeth Keeskes from Key Largo with Mari Cortez of Tavernier weighed in with a 3 fish combined total of 17.2 pounds.  The team took home a travel bag full of items donated by local businesses, plus a check for $1,500.00 

Captain Scott Veath with Mates Bear Veath and Sam Allison led anglers Jolene Allison and Christina Veath both from Tavernier, FL to the Caribee Boat Sales and Yamaha Outboards third place awards. The ladies weighed fish of 7.1, 4.3 and 4.2 pounds for a total 15.5 pounds. They would take home a bag full of goodies and a check for $1,000.00 

Top Junior angler, 15 year old Victoria Puente from Miami, FL fishing with Captain Jim Puente and Mark Aiken on the Bottom Line, weighed in a 3.8 pounder to take home the David Wirth circle hook trophy and a stunning tiara.

Prizes packages and trophies were awarded to the top 10 teams. Only 3.3 pounds separated 10th place from 3rd place.

 Islamorada residents Shirley and Ali Beth Wilson fishing with Suzann Raponi from Atlanta, GA won 4th place for team Grand Slam, with a total of 15.4 pounds. 

5th place team Angler Eddys with Meagan Cabrera, Jess Ball, Pam Simon and Peyton Sujat from Tavernier, FL along with Taty Jaramillo and Robin Meyer of Key Largo FL weighed in a total of 14.3 pounds. 

Dana Leigh’s anglers Judy Ptashinsky and Patricia Cafone from Key Largo, FL fishing with Sherry Boyton from Browns Mills, NJ combined weight of three fish totaled 13.5 pounds for 6th place. 

7th and 8th place would be a tie. Anglers Stephanie Townsend and Rahel from Tavernier, FL with Mary Houston and Brenda Marshall from Islamorada, FL weighed three fish at 3:07 totaling 12.7 pounds to take 7th place on time. 

Fishing Fools anglers Anne Leonard, Denise Moreno and Cathy Brewer from Key Largo weighed in exactly 12.7 pounds dolphin at 4:21. Ties are broken on time of weigh in so the Fishing Fools took 8th place. 

Tournament director Dianne Harbaugh from Tavernier, FL fishing with her friend Ashley Jones of Marietta GA aboard the Five J’s weighed three fish for a total of 12.6 pounds taking 9thplace. 

10th place went to team Tiki with Tavernier anglers Donna, Skylynn, Ariana, and Seanna Lindback weighing in a total of 12.2 pounds.

The tournament kicked off with passed hors d'oeuvres, a boat load of shrimp from Shrimp Improvement Systems and other appetizers at the Florida Keys Elks Lodge on Friday, followed by the Saturday awards ceremony that was fit for the Queens of the fishing world. 

“It was great to be able to fill our top 10 winner’s bags with such wonderful items from business throughout the Upper Keys” stated tournament director Dianne Harbaugh. “The Elks have such worthy charities that this event will help to support including the kids therapy van and a summer camp for local students. 

The success of this event was the result of a lot of hard work from a great team of people who all came together and put on a tremendous show.” 

A cooler full of booze was awarded to the lucky raffle ticket holder and the evening concluded with a silent auction, which was once again filled with items from our great community. 

The Elks Lodge is looking forward to a bigger and better event next year. 

If you would like to become a member or for more information on the Elks and the charities they support visit the web site at www.floridakeyselks.com or stop by at mile marker 92.6 on the bayside.