Tournament-record-size Fish Lands Win in Ladies Dolphin Tournament

ISLAMORADA, Florida Keys — When the weigh scales closed at 5 p.m. Saturday, June 10, it was clear that Islamorada Captain Justin Matson, skippering the Islamorada Beer Co. boat, had led his anglers to victory in the fifth annual Ladies Dolphin Tournament.

Rebecca Brito of Tavernier, Florida, landed a tournament-record-setting dolphin fish weighing 45.6 pounds. Overall, she and teammates Jen Brito of Tavernier, Islamorada's Stephanie Harper and Julia Lozano of Key Largo, Florida, scored a winning three-fish tally of 86.6 pounds.

First-place tiaras and trophies as well as $3,000 in cash were awarded. Rebecca Brito earned an additional $1,000 and a dolphin pendant custom crafted by a Keys jeweler for her record dolphin.

Team Bali Hai, captained by Islamorada's Brooks Gregory, took second place and $1,500 for a combined 62.8 pounds of dolphin. Anglers Julie Landau of Tavernier and Amie Smith and Jennifer Alexander of Islamorada weighed in a large dolphin of 40 pounds plus a 12.8- and a 10-pounder.

Twelve-year-old Peyton Zuloaga of Stuart, Florida, caught an 18.5-pound fish to earn the junior angler title and her own tiara. Zuloaga fished aboard the Contagious with Captain Brian Cone of Islamorada.

Organizers reported that 83 anglers aboard 37 boats competed in the annual day of fishing and camaraderie that helps Florida Keys Elks Lodge charities.

The tournament was headquartered at the Florida Keys Elks Lodge, mile marker 92.5 bayside.