Glen Cove Mayor's Snapper Derby Winners

About 115 young anglers attended the Glen Cove Mayor’s Snapper Derby for a morning filled with fishing on Saturday.

The annual fishing event brought out children ages 6 to 16 and their family members to enjoy a morning of fishing at Glen Cove’s Pryibil Beach Fishing Pier.

“The snappers were biting and it was wonderful to see so many children baiting hooks and casting for victory,” Mayor Reggie Spinello said in a press release.

Trophies were awarded to the top catches and Best Angler of the day. Plus, all children received free t-shirts, hot dogs and a fishing accessory.

"This was a great year for the Snapper Derby with sunny skies, talented young girls and boys and a group of volunteers and sponsors whose generosity was appreciated by all families,” said Tom Manzione, of the Glen Cove Anglers Club and Snapper Derby chairperson since 1998. “Watching the pride in the eyes of a child who just caught their first fish of the day is a special moment."

The trophy and prize for “Top Catch of the Day" went to Issis Makin, who caught 18 snappers.

Top winners include:

• Best Angler: Issis Makin – 18 snappers caught
• Junior Division (6-10 year olds)— Robbie Malvino (first place), Jocelyn Flores (second place) and Frankie Tornicchio (third place)
• Senior Division (11-16 year olds)— Brooke Malvino (first place), Grace Spoto (second place) and Nicole McCormack (third place)

The Glen Cove Mayor’s Snapper Derby is held in cooperation with the Glen Cove Department of Parks & Recreation with support from the Glen Cove Anglers Club and the Matinecock Rod & Gun Club. The 2017 Snapper Derby sponsors included Duffy’s Bait & Tackle, Matinecock Rod & Gun Club, Jake, Trent and Tyler Midura, Friends of Reggie Spinello, Elite Coach Works, Glen Cove Beer & Soda, Glen Cove PBA, Harbor Marine Service, Valley Sports & Trophy, Vestacast, Nick DiLeo Insurance, August Thomsen Corp., Glen Cove Republican Committee, Fallon Painting Inc., Glen Cove Iron Works, Richard Klenkel C.P.A., New Horizon Home Improvement and Mass Dedication LLC.

Photos courtesy of Tony Gallego, Gill Associates:

• Photo 1: Mayor Spinello, Tom Manzione and City Council members with the winners of the 2017 Mayor’s Snapper Derby
• Photo 2: Mayor Spinello with the youngest of anglers
• Photo 3: Snapper Derby participants cast off from the Pryibil Beach Fishing Pier