Friday, July 3, 2009

KEY WEST -- Following a record number of dolphin caught on Day One of the Key West Gator Club's 20th annual Dolphin Derby, the lines cooled off a bit on Day Two and a Big Pine resident rose from among the pack to win the two-day tournament that ended Sunday.

Dan Eggert -- fishing on the New Mystery boat alongside his brother Brian Eggert, father Ray Eggert, and Big Pine angler Kevin Freestone -- landed a 43.9-pound dolphin on the final day of fishing to give him a combined 64.3 aggregate total, which was good enough for the grand prize and the largest single dolphin caught in the tournament for a total of $7,500 in prize money.

"We were trolling and three fish came roaring in, and Danny threw a spinning rod toward the big one," said Ray Eggert, who reported that the team's 43.9-pounder was caught on ballyhoo in an estimated 1,500 feet of water.

In the men's division, Key West resident Carl Masiello took top honors after his 38-pound dolphin he hooked on Day One stood strong through Day Two, while his teammates -- son Brandon Masiello, Javi Jamardo and Steve Oropeza-- also weighed in a 20.5-pound fish on the second day, securing the first runner-up spot for the Spine N Line team, with an aggregate weight of 58.5 pounds. Peter Batty (35.2-pounds), Greg Shamrock (32.3), Tim Schlehuber (31) and Jerry Cohn (30.6) rounded out the top five in the men's division.

Day One overall leader Michelle Ventimiglia of Key West, who landed a 38.8-pound fish, held on to her lead and won the women's division, while fellow female angler Lili DiStefano caught a 33.4-pound wahoo aboard the Second Chance for the top prize.

Fishing aboard Squid Roe, 10-year-old Tim Fricke of Big Pine won the junior division with a 20-pound dolphin, outdoing Christian Fischer, who caught a 16.3-pounder, Chandler Peden, who reeled in a 15.1-pounder, and Weston Bailey, who landed a 13.4-pounder.

There were 220 anglers on the water across 55 boats during the tournament and about 120 dolphins were weighed in during both days. All proceeds benefit the Gator Club scholarship funds for local students attending the University of Florida.

"Fishing was a lot slower Sunday," said event organizer John Stuempfig. "About 25 fish were weighed in (on Day Two), including a nice 43.9-pound dolphin caught by Dan Eggert of Big Pine Key."