Junior Anglers outweigh the Big Boys 6th Annual Junior Dolphin Tournament

35 Junior Anglers 18 years old and younger joined together to fish the 6th Annual Junior Dolphin Tournament held at the Islamorada Fishing Club on July 1st. 16 year old Tyler Auner from Islamorada, FL. weighed in the largest fish of the tournament, trophy sponsored by Robbie’s of Islamorada, a 40 pounder.

“Tyler’s fish is the largest of all the local Dolphin tournaments held over the last month that I am aware of,” stated tournament Director Dianne Harbaugh.

“The second largest fish was a 35.2 pounder caught aboard the Playbaby by 15 year old Anna Davidson. It was great to see these kids catching some big fish”. Tyler was fishing aboard Captain George McElveen’s Reel McCoy out of Bud n Mary’s Marina, with fellow Islamorada anglers Robert and Thomas Orr, Josh Shroder and Pemron Burrows. Pemron weighed in a 16.4 and Robert weighed a 20 pounder for a team combined weight of 76.4 pounds. Each angler received a first place trophy also sponsored by Robbie’s of Islamorada.

Captain Benny Spaulding would lead anglers Anna Davidson from Heber City, UT. along with Presley and Saxon Mullaney and Chloe Thompson all from Boise, Idaho fishing with Dani and Taylor Spaulding from Burlington, KY. and Hyatt Spaulding of Tavernier, FL. to a second place win. Anna’s fish of 35.2 pounds combined with Chloe’s dolphin that weighed 21.5 and Hyatt’s 13.8 pounder would give team Playbaby a total of 70.5 pounds. Second place team trophies were sponsored by Mercedes Benz of Cutler Bay.

Third place awards, sponsored by Travis Bennett the Gentle Dentist would go to 10 year old Phillip Hess from Gainesville, FL. Phillip was the only angler aboard Captain Brian Cone’s Contagious. Phillip weighed a 25.0, 21.2 and 16.4 pound dolphin for a total of 62.6 pounds.

Largest Dolphin in the Schoolie division (ages 0-6) was a 16.0 pound Dolphin caught by 3 ½ year old Jack Holton of Memphis TN. fishing with his family aboard the Aces High. Largest Dolphin in the Gaffer division (ages 7-13), sponsored by Print Source of the Keys was caught by Phillip Hess aboard the Contagious a 25.0 pounder. Largest fish in the Slammer Division ages (14-18) was the 40 pounder caught aboard the Reel McCoy by Tyler Auner.

The Islamorada Fishing Club put on a great kick off and awards ceremony for the junior anglers and their families. “The tournament was a great success. It is so fun to see the kids enjoying fishing and spending quality time with their families. Each angler receives a participation award not to mention great ditty bags and tee shirts.” said tournament director Dianne Harbaugh. All proceeds of the Junior Dolphin Tournament benefit IFACT (Islamorada Fishing and Conservation Trust).