Fourth annual Keith Romaine Snapper Derby

The Town of Brookhaven and the Montauk Surfcasters Association hosted the fourth annual Keith Romaine Snapper Derby at the Union Avenue dock in Center Moriches on Sunday, Sept. 17.

“[We want to] keep it going, make it bigger and bigger,” Montauk Surfcasters Association president Bill Jakob said.

The derby was for minors under the age of 18 and took place from 11a.m. until 3 p.m. at the dock.  Each angler competed to catch the longest snapper and had the option of receiving either a commemorative T-shirt or a fishing rod upon signing up for the Snapper Derby.  The event was held in memory of Keith Romaine, son of Brookhaven Town supervisor Ed Romaine.

“It’s great for kids,” Montauk Surfcasters Association member Maddie Davis said.  “Especially for kids who are loners.”

Participants were divided into two age groups: 3 through 11 and 12 through 18. The first-place winners of both groups received a $75 cash prize and a $20 gift certificate to Smith Point Bait and Tackle.  Nicholas Dzanovcakis won the age 3 through 11 prize with a fish measuring 9 inches, while Grace Scezli won the age 12 through 18 prize with a fish that was 11 inches long.  All winners also received a fluke combo fishing rod.

“We donate, every year, 50 rod and reel combos to the kids and T-shirts,” Jakob said.

Event organizers collected $5 donations for the Joseph Rera Memorial Scholarship Fund.  Rera was a high school student who was lost at sea while fishing in nearby Moriches waters in 2020.  A plaque in Rera’s memory was erected at one end of the Union Avenue dock.  At the end of the Snapper Derby, a check for $2,900 was given to the memorial scholarship fund.

“He was the type of person everybody wanted to be around,” Rera’s mother, Erin Rera, said.  “Since he was a baby, he was always attracted to water and fishing.  We would go to picnics and shark tournaments.  He would ride his bike down here [to the Union Avenue dock]… He was known down here by the regulars.”

An ice cream truck arrived during the Snapper Derby to offer cold desserts to attendees.  Local radio station 96.1 FM broadcast country music throughout the event and also hosted a booth where participants could spin a wheel to win prizes.  The event ended at 3 p.m. with the announcement of the two winners.