Florida Keys Flats to Be Site of Spring Bonefish and Redfish Shootout, March 6-9

ISLAMORADA, Florida Keys — Up to 30 flats anglers can compete in the Jim Bokor Islamorada All-Tackle Bonefish and Redfish Shootout set for Tuesday through Friday, March 6-9.

The tournament was named after Bokor in recognition of his unwavering support of Keys fishing and his renowned record as an Islamorada flats angler.

The all-release event’s point-earning rules dictate that to garner the title of grand champion, the winner needs a “slam” consisting of a redfish and bonefish combination, and that one line of maximum 10-pound test be used for all categories of tackle divisions: bait, artificial and fly.

Overall grand-champion trophies are awarded for the two target species, and awards also are to be given for total release points for each species and to the high-point angler for each day. To compete for either a bonefish or redfish trophy, each species caught and released must be at least 18 inches in overall length.

An anglers meeting and cocktails begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 6, at the Islamorada Fishing Club, mile marker (MM) 82 bayside in Islamorada. Fishing days are Wednesday through Friday, March 7-9, starting with breakfast at the Lorelei Cabana Bar & Marina, also at MM 82 bayside.

Late afternoon hors d’oeuvres are provided each fishing day at the Islamorada Fishing Club. In addition, an awards banquet is scheduled Friday evening.

Entry fee is $850 per angler and one angler is allowed per boat.

Tournament proceeds are to benefit the nonprofit Guides Trust Foundation, which assists fishing guides who can’t work because of serious injury or illness.       

Tournament information: Betsy Bullard at 305-587-1460 or fishnfever@bellsouth.net

Islamorada visitor information: fla-keys.com/islamorada or 1-800-FAB-KEYS

Florida Keys fishing: fla-keys.com/fishing

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