Martha’s Pride Team Wins Lower Keys Dolphin Tournament

BIG PINE KEY, Florida Keys — Team Martha’s Pride scored a 31.1-pound dolphin fish to take first place and a $7,500 cash prize in the 31st annual Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce Dolphin Tournament that ended June 9.

Travis Lawlor of Big Pine Key caught the fish that earned the team its victory. Martha’s Pride was skippered by Big Pine Key’s Captain Mario Becker and the team also consisted of Fred George of Okeechobee, Florida, and Big Pine Key anglers Michael Becker and Jed Scanlon.

Lawlor said Martha’s Pride was off Big Pine in about 750 feet of water when he hooked the winning fish using ballyhoo as bait.

“I pitched the bait in front of him and he ate it,” Lawlor said. “I fought him for about 10 minutes, got him to the boat and then he sounded — and I had to fight another 10 minutes and then got him boatside.”

Second place went to the team aboard Fishy Business, under the direction of Captain Eric Evans of Key West, Florida. Aidan Butler of Charleston, South Carolina, caught a 24.75-pound dolphin to secure the second spot and a $1,000 prize. Other team members, all hailing from Charleston, were Mason Hoffman, Mary Pat Calvert and Lach Calvert.

The third-place team was Tight-N-Up with a dolphin weighing 15.6 pounds. The fish was caught by Kevin Rowley of Little Torch Key, Florida, who captained the boat as well. The Tight-N-Up team also consisted of Lower Florida Keys anglers Alexa Barket, Eddie Yandle, Christian Gatti and Joel Gonzalez.

Top honors in the youth division went to the team aboard Halftime, skippered by Captain Spencer Deno. Team member Shane Deno, the captain’s 9-year-old grandson, caught a 6.75-pound dolphin to take first place in the division.

Additional members of the Halftime team were Spencer Deno’s son Carl Deno, grandson Spencer Deno V, granddaughter Alyssa Deno and Brent Cates. The team is based in Virginia Gardens, Florida.

“I have been fishing tournaments with my kids and immediate family for over 30 years, and we’ve been fishing this tournament for over 10 years,” said Captain Deno. “It’s a family affair.”

According to event organizers, the angling challenge drew teams fishing on 42 boats. Tournament proceeds benefit the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce and its programs.

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