Photos: 20th Annual Youth Fishing Derby

Don Shaffer stands with the winners of the 2026 Pickerington Youth Fishing Derby. Picture by Heath Scofield

July 25, 2026
By Heath Scofield

The 20th Annual Pickerington Youth Fishing Derby took place this morning, with anglers ranging from pre-school to entering their freshman years. This event, presented by Howard Hanna Real Estate, included 4 separate age brackets and a total of 8 awards.

Carter Mason stands with his prizes after catching the most fish in the 6-and-under division. Photo by Heath Scofield

This event was also sponsored by:

  • Colonial Heating & Cooling
  • Thrive Mortgage
  • Valmer Title
  • First Ohio Title
  • Buckeye Honda
  • Buckeye Toyota
  • Kona Ice
  • Campbell Builders
  • Titan Trucks
  • Cason Home Loans
  • Johnson’s Ice Cream
  • Roosters
  • and more

This year’s Fishing Derby Winners were:

6 and Under Age Bracket
Most Fish – Carter Mason
Largest Fish – Gray Woodruff

7-8 Age Bracket
Most Fish – Dayne Sanchez
Largest Fish – Lyla Kooglar

 

Gray Woodruff holds his trophy for the largest fish caught in the 6-and-under division. Photo by Heath Scofield
Carson Mason displays his winnings after taking the 9-10 age bracket’s award for Most Fish caught. Photo by Heath Scofield

9-10 Age Bracket
Most Fish – Carson Mason
Largest Fish – Maria Damingus

11-14 Age Bracket
Most Fish – Josh Ketchum
Largest Fish – Ashton St. Clair

Dayne Sanchez (left) and Lyla Koogler (right) celebrate their victories in the 7-8 age group’s Most Fish and Largest Fish categories, respectively. Photo by Heath Scofield

Additional Awards
Most Innovative Fishing Method – Jacob Peshek (Cast using a NERF Gun)
“The One That Got Away” – Inez Jackson (Lost fishing pole)

Maria Damingus (Left) and Josh Ketchum (Right) show off their awards after winning awards in two different categories and age brackets. Photo by Heath Scofield
Ashton St Charles displays the trophy and prizes earned for catching the largest fish in the 11-14 age bracket. Photo by Heath Scofield