Maryland Anglers Score Double Win in Conch Republic Ladies Dolphin Championship

KEY WEST, Florida Keys — Eva Andrews of Bel Air, Md., caught a 33.1-pound dolphin to earn first-place individual honors for the largest fish in the 2011 Conch Republic Ladies Dolphin Championship July 2.

Andrews fished on the Eva Marie skippered by her husband, Captain Barry Andrews.

“We were about 18 miles west of Key West in 850 feet of water,” said Barry Andrews. “She’s a seasoned angler, and the fight was about 20 minutes.”

Eva Andrews also partnered with Cheryl Cutchin of Forest Hill, Md., to earn Eva Marie the tournament’s boat championship for the largest aggregate weight of two dolphin. Cutchin’s catch weighed 16.5 pounds, bringing the two-fish total to 49.6 pounds.

Second place in the individual division went to Pam Oropeza of Key West, who brought in a 32.5-pound dolphin. Oropeza fished on the Spine ’n’ Line with her husband, Key West chiropractor Steve Oropeza, at the helm.

Third place went to Barbara Musser of Leonardtown, Md., who scored a 28.7-pound dolphin while fishing on the Miss Kasey with Captain Jim Williams.

Musser’s catch also helped earn Miss Kasey runner-up status in the tournament’s boat division.

The Conch Republic Ladies Dolphin Championship drew 80 participants.

###