Ready to take it to the next level? There’s nothing like a little competition to test and grow your angling skills.
The following is a compilation of some of the popular fishing tournaments in the Florida Keys, listed roughly in the order in which they occur. Weather you’re a seasoned angler or just getting your line wet, there’s something for just about everyone.
Islamorada SailFly
A fly fishing, all-release sailfish boat team tournament. Captains, mates or anglers can tease, but only the registered anglers can cast, hook and play the fish. Tournament rules are IGFA format. The invitational challenge is limited to 20 boats. Call or e-mail Sandy Moret: (305) 664-5423, sandy@floridakeysoutfitters.com; or visit www.floridakeysoutfitters.com.
Backcountry Fly Championship Series
Fly Fishing for Snook and Redfish in Islamorada, FL. To get on our email list or any other inquiries: Captbackbone@gmail.com or visit www.bfctournament.com/
Cuda Bowl
Based in Key West, this tournament targets barracuda on the flats using artificial bait, flies and lures. Guides may participate as anglers. Entry fee is $350 per boat. Lots of fun and prizes. Limited to 20 boats. Call Loren Rea at (305) 294-3618; or e-mail info@keywestflatsfishing.com.
Swamp Guide’s Ball
An all-release fundraising event fishing for bonefish, redfish and snook in the shallows of the Florida Keys and the saltwater fringes of the Everglades. Call or e-mail Wesley Locke: (941) 268-1331, wesley@lockeandkeyproductions.com; or visit www.fkfga.org.
March Merkin
In this permit tourney, each fish is photographed with a digital camera, provided by the angler or guide. The scorekeeper must see a photograph of each fish caught, and a daily catch form with marked tape. For maximum points, a caught fish must be photographed showing the tag in the proper position. Tagging data sheets are collected as well. For more info email info@marchmerkin.com or visit www.marchmerkin.com.
Herman Lucerne Memorial Tarpon Cup at Islander Resort
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. Team limits are set at 20. Email wesley@lockeandkeyproductions.com or visit www.hermanlucernememorial.com/tarpon-cup-registration/
Jim Bokor Spring All-Tackle Bonefish Tournament
Up to 25 anglers compete in Islamorada, FL to accrue the most points for releases and weight fish caught using any of four classes of tackle. In 2010, organizers honored Bokor for his flats-fishing prowess and untiring support of Keys angling by naming the tournament for him. Call or e-mail Betsy Bullard: (305) 587-1460, fishnfever@bellsouth.net.
Redbone@Large Sunrise/Sunset Tarpon Tournament
Former NASA astronaut Bruce Melnick, a mission specialist on the Space Shuttle Discovery in 1990 and flight engineer on the first flight of the Shuttle Endeavour, is to serve as celebrity host at this year’s event, and limited team entry slots still are available for the popular event that marks the annual migration of the mighty silver kings to Florida Keys waters. Anglers are to fish out of the Lorelei Cabana Bar & Marina, MM 82 bayside. Contact Gary or Susan Ellis: (305) 664-7882, susan@redbone.org; or visit www.redbone.org.
Spring Fly Bonefish Tournament
The all release tournament recognizes bonefish of 8 or more pounds for points on an increasing scale per ounce, emphasizing larger fish. Fish released under 8 pounds can add to the score, not to exceed the weight fish points. Bonefish are weighed and released alive for additional bonus points. Call or e-mail Bert Scherb: (888) 922-9920, bscherb@askameritus.com.
Golden Fly Tarpon Tournament
The Annual Outback Golden Fly Tarpon Tournament is a three day battle of up to 25 anglers against tarpon. To qualify for a release the fish must be at least 48 inches, and a weight fish must be a minimum of 70 pounds. All weight fish are measured and photographed, then released. Each team is allowed five weight fish during the tournament. All tarpon must be released alive to count for points. For more information visit www.goldenfly.org or e-mail Shandra Rummel: shandra@goldenfly.org
Don Hawley Invitational Tarpon Tournament
The world’s top fly-rod anglers endure a five-day test of will and muscle, fishing Keys waters using fly tackle and either a 12- or 16-pound tippet. Named for the late fly fisherman and conservationist Don Hawley, the tournament benefits the Guides Trust Foundation, assisting professional fishing guides and supporting backcountry fishery conservation programs. E-mail HawleyTournament@aol.com for more information.
Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament
This prestigious tournament, whose founders include baseball great and avid fly-fisherman Ted Williams, pits 25 fly-rod anglers against the tenacious silver king for four straight days of fishing. Experienced tournament anglers and novices are welcome to compete. Tournament proceeds benefit children’s charities in the Keys. For more information visit www.goldcuptt.com or e-mail infodept@goldcuptt.com.
Ladies Tarpon Fly Tournament
The Ladies Tarpon Fly Tournament is a fly fishing invitational tournament that has attracted a host of premier female fly anglers and guides throughout its history. Whether your favorite species is tarpon or you are looking to put another feather in your cap, the tournament participants range from the expert to the novice. This is a 3 day all fly fishing tarpon tournament for prizes. For more information visit www.ladiestarponfly.org
Del Brown Permit Tournament
The event is dedicated to the man who made permit fishing with a fly rod famous, the late Del Brown. He caught 513 permit on a fly rod in his lifetime. This is a three-day event using fly tackle only. Based out of Key West and limited to 25 anglers. Call Loren Rea (305) 294-3618; e-mail info@keywestflatsfishing.com; or visit www.delbrown.com.
Poor Boys Tarpon Fly Tournament
This two-day fishing targets tarpon 4-ft or longer using fly tackle only. Headquartered out of the Lorelei Marina in Islamorada, guides and private anglers are allowed to fish in this event with a budget-conscious entry fee. Call or e-mail Diane: (305) 509-0253, poorboystournament@gmail.com.
TBA
Herman Lucerne Biscayne Legends Classic
Introducing the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust/Herman Lucerne Biscayne Legends Classic, a one-of-a kind event designed to bring a new level of focus to the issues this precious ecosystem faces, while spurring a new kind of on-the-water tournament experience. Website: www.hermanlucernememorial.com
Islamorada Invitational Fall Fly Bonefish Tournament
This prestigious three-day test of skill and stealth challenges even the most seasoned of anglers as they take to the flats for this elusive fish. The “Fall Fly,” as it’s called in elite circles, is a test of skill and stealth and has attracted seasoned anglers such as Flip Pallot, Billy Pate, brothers Sandy Moret and Randy Moret as well as acclaimed Striptease author and celebrity columnist Carl Hiaasen, a seven-time tournament grand champion. Entry fee is $1,000 per angler, up to 25 participants. Call or e-mail Betsy Bullard: (305) 587-1460, fishnfever@bellsouth.net.
Take Stock in Children Backcountry Challenge
The annual challenge requires anglers to fish for trout and redfish. Proceeds benefit both local Rotary scholarships and Take Stock in Children, a statewide scholarship program for children in seventh through 12th grades. Entry fee is $125 per angler, $70 for young anglers (kids and juniors combined). Call or e-mail Mike Shipley: (305) 304-0421, mike@islandbayresort.com.
Bonefishing World Championship/Islamorada All-Tackle Bonefish
Only 25 competitors are accepted to participate, with one angler and a licensed captain per boat. The three-day challenge is said to separate great bonefish anglers from the wannabes. E-mail Betsy Bullard: fishnfever@bellsouth.net.
Casting For Cats Women’s Backcountry Tournament
For more than a decade this event has been a major fundraiser to help control the feral cat population of the Upper Keys. Female anglers earn points for catching bonefish, permit, tarpon, snook and redfish using bait, artificial lures or fly tackle. Points also are awarded for ladyfish, sharks, jacks and spotted sea trout (also known as speckled trout). Call or e-mail Sharon: (305) 393-6174, sharellen@netzero.com.
I.W.F.A. (International Women’s Fishing Association) Light Tackle Tournament
Held each year at the Islamorada Fishing Club in beautiful Islamorada, FL, anglers target and release bonefish, tarpon, permit, snook, redfish, jack crevalle, ladyfish, and spotted seatrout on the flats of the Florida Keys. It is the angler’s choice to fish bait or artificial, and spin, plug, and fly casting rod/reel combos are all permitted. Line is limited to 6# Ande clear and/or 8# Ande pink. IWFA membership is a requirement for tournament participation. This tournament is capped at 40 anglers. For more information visit www.iwfa.org.
Backcountry Fly Championship Series (Fall)
Fly Fishing for Snook and Redfish in Islamorada, FL. To get on our email list or any other inquiries: Captbackbone@gmail.com or visit www.bfctournament.com/
Cheeca Lodge & Spa All-American Backcountry Tournament
Don’t miss out on 2 days of all release fishing at this popular world-class backcountry fishing tournament with a professional guide on your own boat or charter. Awards for Fly, General Tackle (Spin/Conventional, live bait allowed) and Artificial divisions for snook, redfish, bonefish, tarpon and permit. Contact: Bill Coteron 305-664-4651; email: bcoteron@cheeca.com
info: www.cheeca.com/all-american
Islamorada Shark Fly Tournament
Challenges an angler’s ability to find, cast to, hook, and land sharks more than 4-feet-long. Endurance and boat-side fish handling skills will also be tested to the max! This fly-fishing tournament also can be used as a quality hands-on learning tool to help anglers get ready for tarpon season which is just around the corner. Limited to 25 anglers. All proceeds go to the We Fish For Kids Inc. foundation, which benefits Keys kids in the Monroe County school system. Call or e-mail Capt. Mark Johnson: (305) 393-0900, tailspincharters@hotmail.com.
Redbone Celebrity Tournament
Celebrities join other anglers to catch bonefish and redfish and raise money for cystic fibrosis research in the final event of the annual Redbone Celebrity Tournament Series. Call or e-mail Gary or Susan Ellis: (305) 664-2002, susan@redbone.org; or visit www.redbone.org.
TBA
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