City of Martin Youth Fishing Derby a Success

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.