Blog

February 2 – 4
The Swamp Guides Ball
This All-release tournament offers fishing for bonefish, redfish and snook in the shallows of the Florida Keys and the saltwater fringes of the Everglades. The Entry fee for anglers is $300. The kick-off party and silent auction will be held at the Lorilei on Friday night.
The tournament takes place on Saturday, followed by a cocktail party and awards banquet at 6pm. This annual event benefits the Florida Keys’ Guides Trust Foundation.
www.fkfga.org/swampguidesball.html

February 2-4
Islamorada Women’s Sailfish Tournament
This light Tackle Challenge benefits the Cancer Foundation of the Keys. Great awards are given for the grand champion team(boat), first runner-up team, captain and mate. Other awards are presented for the high-point angler, outstanding catch, largest tuna, dolphin and kingfish, most tagged sailfish and hard luck.
For more information: Contact Tammy Gurgiolo at 305-240-9337

February 23-24
The Costa Backcountry Fly Championship Series
Fly fishing tournament for Snook and Redfish in Islamorada. To register and for more information.
www.bfctournament.com

PAST TOURNAMENT IN THE KEYS -2017

Date To Be Determined
The 10th Annual Mad Dog Mandich Inshore and Offshore Tournament
Anglers compete in an offshore division targeting dolphin, kingfish, tuna, wahoo, snapper and grouper; and new this year is an inshore division in which anglers compete for mangrove snapper, spotted sea trout, redfish, snook and tarpon. A portion of the proceeds of this boat/team tournament are to benefit Mariners Hospital Oncology Services. Top Offshore and Inshore division cash prizes. For more information visit www.maddogclassic.com

November 30 – December 3
The Islamorada Sailfish Tournament
You know fall is definitely here when the Ballyhoo start gathering just beyond the reef and attract migrating Sailfish. This exciting tournament returns to Islamorada. It is the first leg of the triple-crown Florida Keys Gold Cup Championship series, and the only tournament in the series to offer a junior division for anglers age 16 and younger. Unlimited anglers are allowed. This tournament takes place at Whale Harbor Marina. For more information visit the website at: www.islamoradasailfishtournament.com

October 15
Hooked On Kids Fishing Tournament
This tournament let’s kids cast their lines and try their hands at flats fishing. Tournament activities include a Captains Party with dinner, a silent auction and an exciting raffle for a trip to NAPA on Thursday night. Friday you’ll be fishing the crystal clear water in search of the the Tournament’s biggest catch. Afterwards, plan on spending the afternoon relaxing at the Awards Ceremony.
For more info contact: Lori Eden 954-983-4360
email: ledens@bbiteam.com

October 6-8
Robert James Sales Baybone Celebrity Tournament Islamorada
The Baybone, is the second tournament in the Redbone trilogy. This exciting Florida Keys fishing tournaments prestige has attracted celebrities and other guests including angler Stu Apte. Targeting permit and bonefish anglers battle it out to raise money for cystic fibrosis research.
For More information contact: contact: Gary or Susan Ellis 305-664-2002
email:susan@redbone.org

October 8-11
The Islamorada World Championship Fall All Tackle Bonefish & Permit Tournament
This competition allows 1 captain and one angler per boat with a maximum of 25 competitors. The three-day Florida Keys fishing tournaments challenge is said to separate great bonefish anglers from the wannabes.
For more information contact: Betsy Bullard 305-587-1460
email: fishnfever@bellsouth.net

October 20-21
(Held every 3rd weekend of every October)
Casting for Cats Women’s Backcountry Tournament
In this fundraiser to help control the Upper Key’s feral cat population, female anglers earn points for catching bonefish, permit, tarpon, snook and redfish using bait, artificial lures or fly tackle. Points also are awarded in the “junk fish” category: ladyfish, sharks, jacks and spotted sea trout (speckled trout). This tournament is a Not for Profit – 100% charity.
For more information contact: Sharon Mahoney Ellenwood 305-393-6174
email:sharellen@netzero.com

The Following Tournaments Occurred Earlier in 2017

June 2-4
Big Pine & Lower Keys Dolphin Tournament  
Join us dor a chance to win more than $35,000 in cash and prizes with a special cash prize of $20,000 awarded to the heaviest dolphin over 50 lbs (this tournament is limited to the first 300 entrants).
For more info: contact: Susan K. Miller 305-872-2411

June 2-4
Skippers Dolphin Tournament
With $60,000 in prize money, this tournament allows each team to weigh in 2 fish per day with the total weight of the largest 3 fish determining the winner. The  top prize is $25,000. The 2nd place prize is $10,000. Additional prizes will be awarded to the top 6 teams. Daily cash prices, women’s and junior cash prizes and trophies will also be presented.
For more info contact: Dianne Harbaugh
305-522-4868
email: ditournaments@aol.com

June 4-9
Don Hawley Invitational Tarpon Tournament
The world’s top fly rod fishermen will compete using fly tackle with a 12 pound or 16 pound tippet,in this five day tournament. Named in honor of the late fly fisherman and conservationist Don Hawley, the tournament benefits the Guides Trust Foundation. The foundation assists professional fishing guides and supports backcountry fishery conservation programs.
For more info contact: Betsy Bullard 305-587-1460
email: fishnfever@bellsouth.net.

June 9 -10
Ladies Dolphin Tournament
The Florida Keys Elks Lodge sponsors this event. Teams of female anglers fight to gain the highest combined weight of 3 dolphin fish. First, second and third place anglers are eligible for  cash and prices.
For more info contact: Dianne Harbaugh 305-522-4868
email: ditournaments@aol.com

June 10
VFW Fishing Tournament
One of the Florida Keys family oriented fishing tournaments, anglers will receive  prizes for dolphin, wahoo, snapper and grouper. Additional prizes are awarded for heaviest fish by a lady angler and heaviest fish by a juvenile angler. All proceeds benefit disabled and/or needy veterans in Monroe County. Hosted by VFW Post 3911 and Key West Harbor Yacht Club. Registration forms and rules are to be available at Key West Bait and Tackle; Murray Marine; Esky Rod Shop; Key West Harbor; VFW Post 3911; and Reef Light Tackle (Big Pine Key).
For more info contact: Phil “Curly” Mcgin 305-304-8211

June 13 -15
Ladies Tarpon Fly Tournament
This is an exciting 3 day all fly fishing tarpon tournament just for women.
For more info contact: Heidi Nute
email: heidinute@yahoo.com

June 17-18
Ladies Let’s Go Fishing! Offshore/Inshore
Women learn and/or improve their fishing skills at this award-winning weekend seminar. Thousands of female graduates have participated in this education program which focuses on offshore, bottom, inshore and fly-fishing.
For more info contact: Betty Bauman 954-475-9068
email: fish@ladiesletsgofishing.com

June 19-23
Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament
This  prestigious 4 day event allows a maximum of 25 fly rod anglers to test their skill against the mighty tarpon. Ted Williams, baseball icon and avid fly fisherman is one of this Florida Keys fishing tournaments founders.
Experienced tournament anglers and novices are welcome to compete.
For more info contact: email: infodept@goldcuptt.com

June 23-24
University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame Celebrity Dolphin Tournament
Sport fishermen mix it up with some of their favorite, former Miami Hurricanes all stars in teams of up to 4 anglers at this fun annual fishing event. This tournament features cash prizes for the heaviest dolphin, along with a charity auction. Headquartered at Postcard Inn Beach Resort & Marina, proceeds from the tournament go to Upper Keys Habitat for Humanity and The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis.
For more info contact: Judy Layne 305-598-2525
email: judy@canesfish.com

June 28-29
The Islamorada Fishing Club Captains Cup Dolphin Tournament
This Florida Keys fishing tournament takes place in Islamorada  and features $25,000 in cash as it’s winner takes all grand prize.
For more info contact: Islamorada Fishing Club 305-664-4735
email: fishing@theislamoradafishingclub.com

July 7-9
The Islamorada Summer Classic
This is a family oriented tournament focused on nine backcountry and blue water species, with boats having the top weights  receiving trophies.
For more info contact: Dianne Harbaugh 305-522-4868
email: islamoradafishingclassics@aol.com

July 8-11
Del Brown Permit Tournament
Permit caught on a fly is a real challenge and Del Brown caught and released more than 500 off the Keys. In his honor, anglers, guides and professionals fly-fish on the flats in this annual competition.
contact: Justin or Loren Rea 305-360-6969
email: lorenrea@icloud.com

July 19 -22
Bacardi Oakheart Key West Marlin Tournament
$50,000 in guaranteed cash prizes are awarded during Key West’s annual Hemingway Days. The event awards $25,000 to the first-place team. Teams can enter one fun fish (dolphin, tuna, wahoo or released sailfish) per day to add to their point total.
For more info contact: 305-304-0317
email: tim.greene@keywestmarlin.com

September 8-10 (Key West)
Robert James Sales S.L.A.M. Celebrity Tournament
The Trilogy consists of three Florida Keys fishing tournaments in the annual Redbone Celebrity Tournament Series. In the first leg, anglers target tarpon, permit and bonefish to achieve the coveted “flats grand slam.” Proceeds are raised to help the fight against cystic fibrosis.
For more info contact: Gary or Susan Ellis at 305-664-2002
email: susan@redbone.org

September 15-17 (Islamorada)
Herman Lucerne Memorial Tournament
Named after the man known affectionately as “Mr. Everglades,” anglers are challenged with targeting multiple species in the hard-to-reach yet fruitful fishing areas of the Everglades that Lucerne favored.
For more info visit: hermanlucernememorial.com/registration
email: kelliet62@gmail.com

September 21-24 (Marathon)
Marathon International Bonefish Tournament
This fishing tournament awards individual and team champions who score the largest bonefish and permit for top anglers in fly and grand slam divisions (for the top spin or fly angler who releases the largest bonefish, permit and tarpon “slam”).
This Florida Keys fishing event is one of the few tournaments where sport fishermen are able to fish without a professional guide.
For more info contact: 305-304-8682
email: bnbfishing@comcast.net