Great fishing weather greeted the participants of the 4th Annual Parks and Recreation Fishing Derby held Saturday at the airport pond.

A total of 56 anglers took part in the event, in three age group categories – 15 in the 6 and under, 26 in the 7-  to 10-year-olds and 15 in the 11- to 14-year-olds. The 56 anglers caught a total of 335 fish and one turtle during the two-hour event.

The Mexico Bassmaster Club led by Patrick Shaw held a Bassmasters Casting Kids Competition at the site. Tanner Smith of Mexico won in the 11- to 14-year-old category, while Brittany Shoemaker of Mexico won in the 7- to 10-year-old age group, both scoring 40 points. They received a rod and reel combo donated by the local Bassmasters club and will be invited to compete in the state competition to be held later.

Winners of the fishing derby were: in the 6 and under age group, Carson Bushnell, first fish; Amelia Denham, most fish with 15 fish; Tayler Love, biggest fish with a 3-pound catfish.
In the 7- to 10-year-old group: Logan Anselmi won in two events, first fish and most fish with 29 fish caught; Clayton Appling took the biggest fish with a 1 1/2 pound catfish.

In the 11- to 14-year-old group: Tanner Smith won in two events, first fish and most fish with 27 fish caught; Lucas Appling had the biggest fish with a 4 ounce bluegill. All the fishing derby winners were from Mexico.

Mexico Wal-Mart donated the fishing worms for the event and the Bass Pro Shop of Columbia donated two rod and reel combos.