WEEKLY HOSTS BUSINESS GUILD HAPPY HOUR APRIL 12

MEET KEY WEST’S ONLY LOCALLY OWNED NEWSPAPER TEAM fish in March. Even though the sailfish bite was epic early in the month, they will be a highly targeted species for the next several months as they continue to migrate through the Florida Keys.

Another tactic to target this species of billfish is to kite fish. Kite fishing is a technique in which a literal kite is deployed with several clips on its line tethered to a fishing reel on the boat. Typically, you can run three fishing lines off each kite while flying two kites at a time. The fishing lines are run through release clips that release the fishing line when the fish bites and enough tension is created. This allows you to fight the fish directly from your rod and not through the kite. Bycatch of this style of fishing includes delicious blackfin tuna, beautiful wahoo, giant king mackerel and bonita.

If you are looking to catch a sailfish, patience is definitely a big part of the process. Anglers will frequently target this species all day with only one or two shots at effectively reeling one in, while on other days you can catch over a dozen. If you are looking to target one of these beautiful fish in the waters off Marathon, contact a local, reputable charter captain who has the experience to put you on the fish of a lifetime!

To book a trip with Top Notch Sportfishing, call Captain Bill at 732674-8323.

Come meet your local news team at the only locally owned newspaper company in the Florida Keys.

The Key West Weekly and its digital-media sister company, Overseas Media Group, will host the Key West Business Guild’s happy-hour mixer, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 12 at their offices on Stock Island.

Business Guild members and nonmembers are encouraged to come enjoy food, drinks, music, tours, door prizes and networking opportunities at the Key West Weekly and OMG offices, 5450 MacDonald Ave., Suite 5, Stock Island.

See where the magic (and the chaos) of local news comes together, with the team’s owners, editors, sales pros, designers and social media specialists — Britt Myers, Jason Koler, Annie Briening, Mandy Miles, Stephanie Mitchell, Maison Sellers and many other familiar faces.

Keys Weekly

By: Tracy and Sean McDonald

The Scoreboard

Dylan Ziels

This Week In Keys Sports

Junior, Marathon Baseball

When Marathon needs a W, they send Dylan Ziels to the mound. The junior right-hander has delivered for the Fins in four of five outings this season. On March 31, he sent 15 of 25 batters he faced back to the dugout as he continued to add to his stats. As of April 3, his 80 strikeouts firmly planted him as the FHSAA leader in total strikeouts for the state of Florida this season, with second place a full 20 strikeouts behind. Offensively, Ziels commands respect, too. He has amassed eight hits this season, including three doubles. Ziels’ coach has called his season thus far “nothing short of historic,” solidifying his selection as this week’s Keys Weekly Athlete of the Week.

“Dylan is such a coachable, adaptable and hardworking young man. He pours positivity into the team and is constantly that vocal leader that we can count on in any situation.”

Marshall averaged 15.2 points, 8 rebounds, 3.3 steals and 1.9 blocks per game this season, making her a threat anywhere on the court. The senior captain is described by her coach as a motivator, leader, initiative-taker and incredible athlete. “Abrianna understands the game very well,” said Marathon head coach Andra Garvey. “She can score on any team that she faces and won’t back down from any opponent. She has a will to win.”

THE 2023 KEYS WEEKLY ALL-KEYS GIRLS

Marathon’s Elena Eubank averaged 11.5 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 3.6 steals per game this season. Only a sophomore, Eubank plays with a refinement beyond her years. “Elena is a team player; she will play any position you place her in,” said Garvey. “She is an overall athlete. She sets examples for her teammates in and out of basketball and has phenomenal communication skills.”

Hurricane forward Brooke Mandozzi led the Keys in points per game, averaging just over 19, while pulling down 8.3 rebounds and adding 3.5 steals per game. Coach Jarrod Mandozzi explained the crucial role his daughter played this season.

“Brooke carried a lot of responsibility as one of the few returning players with significant varsity experience from last season. She consistently faced double and triple coverage from other teams, but was still able to have a huge impact on the game.”

GRACE LEFFLER SOPHOMORE, CORAL SHORES FORWARD/GUARD

Coral Shores’ Grace Leffler averaged 9 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game this season. The ’Canes used her height all over the court, playing Leffler in just about every position. Defensively, she was a game-stopper for opponents. “She was our secondleading scorer, consistently making teams pay when they doubleteamed others whether she was playing inside or on the perimeter,” said Mandozzi. “Grace developed so much as a player over the course of the season.”