Women anglers reel in mahi, memories at Tavernier tournament
At 89, Nancy Lawrence still fished both days in Tavernier as women from 25 to 89 chased mahi, wahoo and first catches.
Nancy Lawrence of Palm Beach was 89 and still on the water for both days, a standout in a Tavernier tournament that packed more into the weekend than a leaderboard. The Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing Screamin’ Reels Tournament drew women from Florida and other states May 15-17, mixing offshore competition with the kind of mentoring and confidence-building that keeps newcomers coming back to the sport.
The event was hosted by the nonprofit Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing Foundation, which has built Screamin’ Reels around a relaxed format meant to feel welcoming instead of intimidating. Anglers ranged in age from 25 to 89, and the weekend began with a welcome party at the Tavernier Elks Club. Friday’s kickoff also included a presentation on fishing rules and conservation, plus a meet-and-greet with fundraisers from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Participants fished aboard private boats or guided charter boats, giving beginners a path into offshore fishing without having to own gear or know every piece of the Keys’ marine code before they arrived.
Saturday brought calm seas, while Sunday’s 3- to 5-foot chop made the final run a little rougher. The tournament targeted mahi, wahoo, tuna, yellowtail snapper and other species, and that mix delivered personal milestones for several anglers. Some landed their first mahi, first wahoo and first tuna, while others released barracuda and spent the weekend learning the offshore rhythm that makes the Florida Keys such a draw.
On the scoreboard, Robin Krueger took first place offshore with a 17.25-pound wahoo on Poppa Wahoo Too. Canan Myers finished second offshore with a 4.9-pound mahi on Sea Horse, and Lisa Brewer was third offshore with a 4.3-pound mahi on Sea Horse. Kat Farese won first place private boat with an 8-pound mahi on Marlin Darlin. The fish mattered, but so did the experience around them: seasoned anglers shared boat time, tips and encouragement with women who had never entered a tournament before.
That mix has made Screamin’ Reels a recurring Upper Keys fixture with clear payoffs for Monroe County. The event has drawn support from the Monroe County Tourist Development Council, and recent turnouts show the momentum: the 2025 tournament hooked 110 fish, while the 2024 event logged 180. With awards at Whale Harbor Marina in Islamorada in 2025 and a welcome party at the Tavernier Elks Club again this year, the tournament continues to send visiting anglers, friends and family into local marinas, boats and businesses while reinforcing the Keys’ identity as a place where fishing culture still welcomes the next generation.
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