The City of Martin, TWRA, and Martin Kiwanis Club held a Youth Fishing Derby at the Martin Recreational Complex on Saturday, June 8.
While the event got off to a late start due to lightning warnings, plenty of people turned out to fish for free.
There were 90 participants with 20 registering for the 0-5 range, 23 registering for the 6-8 years range, 33 registering for the 12–14-year range and two registering for the 15–18-year-old range.
There were 10 helpers from Kiwanis: Steve Lemond, Sara Sieber, Mary Morgan, Linda Ramsey, David Sudberry, Ann Gathers, Jayne Parrish, Earl Wright, Anna Clark and Jim Clark.
Two staff members from Martin Public Library set up a table to share information about the Summer Reading Program.
Four turtles were caught and returned to the lake.
The youngest participant was seven months old.
Many parents and grandparents attended. One young man has attended for four years in a row.
Earl Wright, who has been in Kiwanis for 51 years, said that Kiwanis members have assisted with the Fishing Derby for at least 40 years. Steve Lemond also noted that he has helped for many years.
Categories included most fish, heaviest fish, longest fish, shortest fish, ugliest fish and best dressed fisherperson
The total fish caught weighed 81 pounds with the 5 and under group catching 15 fish, the 6-8 range catching 30 fish, the 9-11 range catching 17 fish and the 12-14 range catching 19 fish.
The longest fish overall was 18 ½ inches. The heaviest fish was 4 lb 2 oz and 24 fish were over 1 lb in weight.
2024 Fishing Derby Winners
Five and Under Age Group
Most Fish, Arvell Revell
Heaviest Fish, Gideon Russell
Longest Fish, Lonnie Bennett
Shortest Fish, Carsyn Cope
Ugliest Fish, Valarie Sanchez
Best Dressed Fisherperson, Ryver Fischer
5-8 Age Group 6-8 age group
Most Fish, Lucas Rechis
Heaviest Fish, Jase Jones
Longest Fish, Emment Rod
Shortest Fish, Asher Revell
Ugliest Fish, Noah Bennett
Best Dressed Fisherperson, Raymond Neeley
9-11 Age Group
Most Fish, London Jones
Heaviest Fish, Knox Nanney
Longest Fish, Christian Gupta
Shortest Fish, Ada Smith
Ugliest Fish, Issac Poyner
Best Dressed Fisherperson, Braylen Quisenberry
12-14 Age Group
Most Fish, Trace Smith
Heaviest Fish, Will Cates
Longest Fish, Kira Blackburn
Shortest Fish, Bentley McClure
Ugliest Fish, -- no award given
Best Dressed Fisherperson, Madison Henson
15-18 Age Group
Best Dressed Fisherperson, Larson Claiborne
Information provided by Anna Clark and Steve Lemonds.