"Get hooked on fishing, not on drugs!" is the theme of the annual Barracuda Bonanza, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Cayman Brac.

Thirty-one children were registered to enter this year's tournament, though the threat of bad weather kept six of them away, and twenty-five in all grabbed rod and reel and headed off to catch some barracuda.

Eight-year-old Martha Rivers hauled up a fourteen and a half pounder, fishing from Scotts Dock in the West End, to win the heaviest fish caught by a child.

Her barracuda was almost three pounds heavier than that caught by the first place winner in the Boys category, Kodie Scott, who, like most other anglers, took to the sea to catch his 11.8 lb fish.

Kodie won three prizes in all, also taking a first for the most fish (twenty in all) and the heaviest total weight (156.7 lbs). Graham Martin was awarded for his 11.4 lb catch.

The youngest girl in the tournament and the youngest angler overall was Olivia Mommery, aged four and three-quarters, and the youngest boy was nine-year-old Simon Watson.

Cordell Gutierrez and Rachel Dilbert were the winners of the dubious prize for the Lightest Fish in the Boy and Girl categories, managing to bring home a 1.9 lb and 1.6 lb fish respectively.

Three girls - Caitlyn and Cassidy Connor and Rachel Dilbert - were given prizes just for entering, and Caitlyn also won for the heaviest collective weight for girl anglers, 52.5 lbs.

At the award ceremony that evening at the West End Community Park, Rotary President Audley Scott gave an award to Lemmuel Bodden for his persistence and dedication in supporting the Barracuda Bonanza each year.

The winner of the Grand $1,000 prize for Heaviest Barracuda caught by a registered angler went to Dorian Hunter, who also brought in the second heaviest fish, weighing 19.5 lbs and 15.9 lbs respectively.

Conrad Martin, who stepped in for his brother Eddlee Martin, won third prize for a 14.3 lb barracuda, slightly heavier than Teddy Ritch's fourth place 14.1 lb fish. Zanda Scott won the Lady Angler prize for her 12 lb catch.

Each year, the Rotary Club awards adults who take the most children out in their boats, which was won this year by Natalya Scott, who took seven kids out fishing, with Larry Scott winning second place for the five children in his boat.

A four-way tie for third place was awarded to Conrad Scott, Teddy Ritch, Zanda Scott and Bunny Watson, who each took out two children.

nicky@caymannetnews.com