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Florida Keys Fishing Tournaments
& Calendar of Events

Calendar of Events for May, 2013

  

 
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April 28 to May 01 in Marathon
Tarponian Tournament
For enthusiastic tarpon anglers, silver kings mean springtime. This high-energy, three-evening tournament mandates that teams fish with a different captain each evening. Teams also rotate among the three major bridge channels in Marathon, so any potential "hot spots" are shared among all anglers.
Contact: David Breznicky at 215-542-1492
Email: dbreznicky@breznickyassociates.com
May 03 to May 05 in Islamorada
A tournament honoring the memory of Nick Sheahan, a Florida Keys student, funds from this event benefit a namesake community scholarship fund, distributing nearly $70,000 to date. Hosted at Tavernier Creek Marina, cash prizes and $25,000 to the angler with the dolphin that beats the state record. Hosted at Tavernier Creek Marina, entry fee for adults is $150, $35 for juniors.
Contact: 305-393-3709
Email: nicksheahan88@gmail.com
May 03 to May 05 in Marathon
A $10,000 first prize awaits the angler with the largest bull and cow combined, as well as prizes awarded to anglers catching the largest dolphin, wahoo, tuna and tripletail, grouper and snapper.
Contact: Jack Carlson or Byron Goss at 305-289-0199
Email: twoconchs@comcast.net; carlson.jack@ymail.com
May 07 to May 09 in Marathon
One of the Florida Keys most-established tarpon tournaments, the 47th edition of the Marathon International Tarpon Tournament is set for May 7-9 in the Middle Keys. This is a team tournament with trophies and retail prizes for the top three boats. Proceeds generated are to benefit the Marathon Youth Club and the tournament is to be hosted by the Tarpon Creek Bar & Grill.
May 10 to May 11 in Marathon
Several cash prizes are awarded to anglers in this one-day tournament. Top cash prize for the heaviest fish is $5,000, with cash prizes also presented to second- through fifth-place finishers. Event benefits Habitat for Humanity of the Middle Keys.
Contact: 305-743-9828
May 13 to May 17 in Marathon
This popular angling challenge with a 27-year history of fish tales and foolery helps fund the Ronald McDonald Summer Camp program for disabled youngsters. Captains are drawn during the kickoff event, and anglers fish with a different captain each of the three days of fishing, in what is a hugely popular tournament format.
Contact: Bob Traa 609-645-1840 ext. 115
May 17 to May 19 in Big Pine
More than $35,000 in cash and prizes awaits anglers.The angler who catches the tournament's largest dolphin can take home a guaranteed first prize of $7,500 cash and a trophy. If the winning dolphin weighs more than 50 pounds, an additional $20,000 is awarded for a total of $27,500. While dolphin is the only species of fish eligible for cash awards, rods and reels are also to be presented for the heaviest wahoo and tuna caught. Presented by the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce, the tournament is set to kick off Friday, May 17, with a 5 p.m. final registration party featuring hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar. A captains meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Entry fees are $150 for open and $50 for youth.
Contact: 800-872-2411
Email: executivedirector@lowerkeyschamber.com
May 18 in Key West
Fish for Dolphin, Wahoo, Grouper and Snapper. Cash prizes for heaviest fish, $2500 for heaviest Dolphin. All proceeds benefit Anchors Aweigh Club, a 12-step recovery center in Key West, and a 501-c-3 corporation.
Contact: Pete Thomas 305-509-7244
May 19 to May 22 in Islamorada
Outback Golden Fly Invitational Tarpon Tournament
Special flies, accurate casts and a bit of luck are the recipe for winning this prestigious challenge, using only a tournament-furnished tippet not greater than 16-pound test. Eligible tarpon must measure at least 48 inches in length to earn release points, and weigh at least 70 pounds for weight points.
Contact: Betsy Bullard
Email: fishnfever@bellsouth.net
May 24 to May 26 in the Florida Keys
This new, Keys-wide dolphin challenge is to pay out $15,000 to the first-place winner, and cash and prizes are to be awarded in 36 other categories. Among the first 200 teams that register for the tournament, the team who catches the tournament's largest dolphin over 55 pounds is eligible to win the 24-foot-long SeaHunter boat. Registration/weigh-in locations include Buzzards Roost and Garden Cove Marina in Key Largo, Plantation Yacht Sales in Islamorada, Tarpon Creek Marina and Restaurant in Marathon, Boondocks Grille and Draft House in the Lower Keys and Dante's Restaurant at Conch Harbor Marina in Key West. Registration is $600 per team.
Contact: Mike Weinhofer 305-395-3474
Email: fishnkw@aol.com
May 31 to June 01 in Key West
In this challenge headquartered at Key West's Historic Seaport, more than $13,000 awaits the angler scoring the highest total combined weight of three dolphin catches. Many additional prizes await other top anglers, and there is no limit on the number of participating boats.
Contact: John Stuempfig 305-304-7674
Email: wave.whacker@hotmail.com