KEY WEST, Florida Keys -- Dan Eggert of Big Pine Key, Fla., caught a 43.9-pound dolphin that was the largest in the 20th annual Key West Gator Club Dolphin Derby that ended Sunday, June 28.

 

Eggert fished on the New Mystery. His catch helped propel the New Mystery team to the tournament's team championship for the largest aggregate weight of two dolphin -- a total of 64.3 pounds. The team consisted of Dan Eggert, his brother Brian Eggert, father Ray Eggert of Ramrod Key, Fla., and Big Pine angler Kevin Freestone.

"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.

Carl Masiello of Key West took top honors in the men's division with a 38-pound dolphin caught while fishing on the Spine N Line.

Masiello and his teammates -- son Brandon Masiello, Javi Jamardo and Steve Oropeza, all of Key West -- also weighed in a 20.5-pound fish, securing Spine N Line's first runner-up title in the team division with an aggregate weight of 58.5 pounds.

Women's division honors went to Michelle Ventimiglia of Key West, who caught a 38.8-pounder while fishing on the Bait Stealer.

Ten-year-old Tim Fricke of Big Pine won the junior division with a 20-pound dolphin. He fished aboard the Squid Roe.

The derby's largest wahoo was caught by Lili DiStefano of Plantation, Fla. She boated the 33.4-pounder while fishing on the Second Chance.

Two hundred twenty participants fished on 55 boats during the tournament, with proceeds benefiting Gator Club scholarship funds for local students attending the University of Florida.