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Plant City Derby Reels In The Youngsters

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By DAVE NICHOLSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 4, 2009

PLANT CITY - It may have been cold the morning of Jan. 31, but that didn't stop 120 children ages 5 to 15 from trying their luck at the city's twice a year fishing derby.

The chilly temperatures tended to keep the fish from biting but the youngsters were as enthusiastic as ever, said Deborah Haldane, program manager with the Plant City Recreation and Parks Department.

"The kids enjoyed themselves and we enjoyed ourselves," Haldane said.

The children fished in two age divisions, 5- to 10-year-olds and 11- to 15-year-olds. The top anglers in the younger division caught more fish than the top fishermen in the older division because, "that's the way the fish were biting," Haldane said.

Award winners included:
First catfish caught in the derby, 14-year-old Caleb Perry

First tagged fish caught at the derby, 5-year-old Jackson Vanderzee

Biggest fish in 5- to 10-year-old age group, a 2.84-pound mudfish caught by 5-year-old Karlie Freidank

Biggest fish in the 11- to 15-year-old group, a 1.44-pound catfish caught by 13-year-old Keith Watford

Most fish in the 5- to 10-year-old group, Kayla Haynes and Alexis Leeds tied with eight fish each. Kayla won in the tiebreaker, a casting contest.

Most fish in the 11- to 15-year-old group, five tied with two fish each. Harry Linsinbigler won the tiebreaker, a casting contest, over Jaquarius Green, David Mills, Deaundre Howard and a young angler whose name was not available.

The fish derbies have been held at least twice a year for 13 years in a pond near Plant City Stadium. They title sponsor is Landshark Charters Inc.

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