2009 Tournament Schedule

January 2009

Dec. 1, 2008 - Jan. 31, 2009: Florida Keys Gold Cup Sailfish Championship. Islamorada. Anglers pursue sailfish, the most plentiful billfish in the waters off the Keys, in a series of competitions. Contact Dianne Harbaugh at (305) 852-2102, e-mail ditournaments@aol.com, visit www.islamoradasailfishtournament.com

Jan. 8-10: Key Largo Sailfish Challenge. Key Largo. Anglers battle sailfish during the peak of the season. The tournament also features raffles, drawings and cash prizes. Contact Tammie Gurgiolo at (305) 852-9337, e-mail fishnbully@msn.com

Jan. 9-11: 24th Annual Holiday Isle Sailfish Tournament. Islamorada. This all-release challenge targets sailfish, the most plentiful billfish species in Keys waters. Contact Ed Kinkelaar at (305) 664-2321, ext. 655, e-mail ekinkelaar@holidayisle.com

Jan 11-12: Bartender’s Sailfish Open. Islamorada. An all-release sailfish tournament, this challenge offers awards to winning bars and bartenders. Contact Jack McCormick at (305) 664-8400, visit www.keysislandgrill.com

Jan. 19-20: Boomer Esiason Foundation Captain Al Flutie Over the Hill Rip-Off. Islamorada. Anglers ages 50 and over are challenged to catch and release the most sailfish. Contact Bill Kelly at (305) 394-5333 or write to 130 Tequesta St., Tavernier FL 33070; or contact Gary Ellis at (305) 664-2002, e-mail redboneinc@aol.com, visit www.redbone.org

Jan. 21-22: Islamorada Fishing Club Sailfish Tournament. Islamorada. The historic fishing club offers a $30,000 cash prize to the winning team in this sailfish challenge. The tournament is limited to 25 boats. Contact Claire Williams at (305) 664-4735, e-mail fishclubclaire@bellsouth.net or visit www.theislamoradafishingclub.com.

Jan. 22-24: Cheeca Lodge Presidential Sailfish Tournament. Islamorada. In this all-release tournament, anglers fish for the mighty sailfish in waters surrounding the island known as the Sportfishing Capital of the World. The tournament is an official event of the World Billfish Series, Southeast Division. Contact Liz Hill at (305) 451-5094, e-mail presidentialsailfishtournament@cheeca.com

Jan. 23-25: Hog’s Breath King Mackerel Tournament. Key West. Anglers use fast boats to target the voracious king mackerel, also known as kingfish, for cash prizes. Contact Lee Murray at (305) 797-1117, e-mail lee@murraymarine.com

Jan. 24-25: Florida Keys Fishing Guides Association Swamp Guides Ball. Islamorada. This all-release event offers fishing for bonefish, redfish and snook in the shallows of the Florida Keys and the saltwater fringes of the Everglades. Contact Terry Albury at (305) 664-5142 or e-mail talbury@aol.com.

February 2009

Feb. 5-8: The 44th Annual Fort Lauderdale Billfish Tournament is a four day event with a two day offshore tournament that attracts hundreds of tournament anglers from South Florida and across the country. The tournament showcases Sailfish as the target species with other divisions that include Dolphin, Wahoo, Tuna and Kingfish payouts. Visit: www.lauderdalebillfish.com. Phone: (954) 523-1004 Or email kitty@billfishtournament.com

Feb. 6-8: Islamorada Women’s Sailfish Tournament. Islamorada. Female anglers challenge fishing's famous tail-dancers to win trophies and prizes. Contact Tammie Gurgiolo at (305) 852-9337, e-mail fishnbully@msn.com

Feb. 17-18: Poor Girls Sailfish Tournament. Key Largo and Islamorada. This popular Keys tournament typically draws more than 200 anglers. Contact Mark Mills at (305) 852-9085 or visit www.keysradio.com.

Feb. 26-28: Backcountry Fly Championship. Islamorada. This new fly-fishing competition is to target snook and redfish in a region of the Keys that is famous for them. Contact Charlotte Ambrogio at (305) 664-2444, e-mail csasun@aol.com

March 2009

March 6-7: Backbone Lures Fish Til You Lose It. Islamorada. Anglers compete to catch the finned denizens of the flats and backcountry, fishing with one lure until they lose it. Contact Paul Tejera at (305) 393-2156, e-mail captbackbone@gmail.com

March 6-8: Captain Leon Shell Memorial Billfish Tournament. Key Colony Beach. Anglers pursue sailfish in honor of the late lure maker who made the Middle Florida Keys his home. The tournament benefits Hospice of the Florida Keys. Contact Chris Johnson at (305) 743-5305, e-mail seasquared@bellsouth.net, visit www.leonshelltournament.com

March 13-15: Key West Fishing Tournament Kick-Off. Key West & Lower Keys. Targeting multiple species, this annual challenge starts a season-long tournament that awards certificates for outstanding catches and prizes in a host of categories. Contact Doris Harris at (800) 970-9056 or (305) 295-6601, e-mail director@keywestfishingtournament.com, visit www.keywestfishingtournament.com

March 13 - Nov. 30: Key West Fishing Tournament. Key West. This popular 8.5-month-long competition targets more than 40 species of fish. Contact Doris Harris at (305) 295-6601 or (800) 970-9056, e-mail director@keywestfishingtournament.com or visit www.keywestfishingtournament.com.

March 24-27: Islamorada All-Tackle Spring Bonefish Tournament. Islamorada. Anglers compete to catch the gray ghost of the flats in the legendary shallows surrounding Islamorada. This all-release tournament features trophies and prizes. Contact Jim Bokor at (305) 852-1694, e-mail jabok@aol.com

April 2009

April 14-18: World Sailfish Championship. Key West. With a guaranteed top prize of $100,000, the championship benefits the Don Shula Foundation for Breast Cancer Research, Camp Boggy Creek for youngsters with chronic and life-threatening illnesses, and other national and local charities. Contact (305) 395-3474 or (727) 631-0072, e-mail lemmole@worldsailfish.com, visit www.worldsailfish.com .

April 23-25: Big Boys Off-Shore Charity Fishing Tournament. Key Largo. Anglers pursue dolphin fish, one of the most beautiful and plentiful fish of the offshore waters of the Keys. Contact Kevin Clark at (305) 852-9337, e-mail clark@crittercontrol.com, visit www.bigboysoffshore.com o

April 24-26: Redbone at Large Hawks Cay Sunrise/Sunset Tarpon Celebrity Tournament. Marathon. The event is one of approximately 30 Redbone Celebrity tournaments that are held each year, with all proceeds benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Contact Gary Ellis at (305) 664-2002, e-mail redboneinc@aol.com, visit www.redbone.org,

April 26-29: 22nd Annual Faro Blanco Invitational Tarpon Tournament. Marathon. Anglers tangle with silver kings in an event named for a famous Marathon resort. The tournament is a fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House charities’ Summer Camp Program. Contact Robert Traa at (609) 645-1840, ext. 115, e-mail Bobtraa@mindspring.com

April 30-May 2: 43rd Annual Marathon International Tarpon Tournament. Marathon. This all-release event is one of the longest-running tournaments targeting the mighty silver king. Contact Dave Navarro at (305) 743-6139, e-mail worldclassan@comcast.net

May 2009

May 3-7: Tarponian Tournament. Marathon. Anglers target tarpon and vie for prizes in this high-energy event. Contact David Breznicky at (215) 542-1492, e-mail dbreznicky@breznickyassociates.com

May 8-9: Mother’s Day Dolphin Tournament. Marathon. Dolphin fish are the target in this angling challenge to benefit Habitat for Humanity. Contact Michael Kiraly at (305) 743-4449, e-mail mkiraly@marinebankmail.com

May 9-10: 33rd Annual Ladies Tarpon Tournament. Marathon. Women compete in this all-release tournament to catch tarpon in one of the longest-running tournaments in the Keys. Contact Dave Navarro at (305) 743-6139, e-mail worldclassan@comcast.net

May 15-17: Lower Keys & Key West Reef Shootout. Big Pine & Lower Keys. The tournament targets bottom fish, kingfish and wahoo while benefiting the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce. Contact Mike Weinhofer at (305) 395-3474, e-mail fishnkw@aol.com

May 15-17: Coconuts Dolphin Tournament. Key Largo. One of the largest-drawing tournaments in South Florida, this challenge named for a Key Largo restaurant pits anglers against dolphin fish. Contact Charles Mountain at (561) 741-1124 , e-mail mountain1111@aol.com

May 17-20: 15th Annual Golden Fly Invitational Tarpon Tournament. Islamorada. This prestigious fly tournament for large tarpon benefits college scholarships for Keys students. Contact Charlotte Ambrogio at (305) 664-2444, e-mail csasun@aol.com

May 23: Yamaha Dolphin Masters Invitational. Key West. Experienced offshore captains are to lead the chase for the colorful and acrobatic dolphin fish and a $15,000 first prize. Contact John Stuempfig at (305) 304-7674, e-mailwave.whacker@hotmail.com

June 2009

June 1-5: Don Hawley Invitational Tarpon Tournament. Islamorada. The world’s top fly-rod anglers pursue the mighty silver kings in one of the most storied tournaments in the Keys. Contact Charlotte Ambrogio at (305) 664-2444, e-mail csasun@aol.com

June 3-4: Islamorada Fishing Club Captain’s Cup Dolphin Tournament. Islamorada. Anglers compete for a winner-take-all $25,000 jackpot for catching dolphin fish. Contact Claire Williams at (305) 664-4735, visit www.theislamoradafishingclub.com or e-mail fishclubclaire@bellsouth.net.

June 10-12: Women’s Fly Series – Tarpon. Islamorada. This invitational fly tournament for tarpon, open to men and women, benefits children’s charities. Contact Charlotte Ambrogio at (305) 664-2444, visit www.womensflyseries.com/spring_page.html, e-mail csasun@aol.com

June 12-14: Big Pine & Lower Keys Dolphin Tournament. Big Pine Key. Anglers compete to catch dolphin fish, one of the most popular species in the Keys. The tournament features more than $25,000 in cash and prizes. Contact the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce at (305) 872-2411 or (800) 872-3722, e-mail lkchamber@aol.com, visit www.lowerkeyschamber.com

June 14-19: Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament. Islamorada. Fly rodders compete to catch and release giant tarpon. Winners and their guides get their names engraved on the Gold Cup perpetual trophy. Tournament proceeds benefit children’s charities in the Keys. Contact Charlotte Ambrogio at (305) 664-2444, e-mail csasun@aol.com or write to P.O. Box 1705, Islamorada FL 33036.

June 19-20: Island Grill Blue Water Dolphin Tournament. Islamorada. The event incorporates a one-day dolphin tournament, with an optional Father/Son Fun Fish on Father’s Day weekend, to benefit Baptist Hospital’s Children’s Cancer Center. Contact Jack McCormick at (305) 664-8400, visit www.keysislandgrill.com

June 19-21: Father’s Day Dolphin Derby. Marathon. Anglers are to celebrate Father’s Day by catching one of the most beautiful, best-tasting and fastest-growing fish in the sea to benefit the Marathon Youth Club. Contact Debbie Struyf at (305) 481-8379 or e-mail dstruyf@aol.com (reference “fishing tournament” in the subject line).

June 26-28: Key West Gator Club Dolphin Derby. Key West. Anglers compete to catch dolphin fish, a plentiful summertime treat off the Keys. The derby raises money for college scholarships. Contact John Stuempfig at (305) 304-7674, e-mail wave.whacker@hotmail.com

June 26-28: Burdines Waterfront Dolphin & Blackfin Fun Fishing Tournament. Marathon. This event sponsored by a popular local restaurant targets two of the finest-tasting fish in the Keys. Contact Sherry Burdine at (305) 743-5317, e-mail sjburdine@gmail.com

July 2009

July TBA: Dolphin Flashover. Little Torch Key. This hard-fought challenge targeting dolphin fish benefits the Monroe County chapter of the International Association of Firefighters. Contact Andrea Sutherland at (305) 942-7223, e-mail dolphinflashover@hotmail.com or visit www.dolphinflashover.com.

July 4: Conch Republic Ladies’ Dolphin Tournament. Key West. This competition is for women only, although male captains and mates are allowed. Contact John Stuempfig at (305) 304-7674, e-mail wave.whacker@hotmail.com

July 10-12: Holiday Isle/ Caribee Boat Sales Dolphin Tournament. Islamorada. Run-and-gunners are to take on the trollers in the Isle’s annual tournament for professional, amateur and junior anglers. This event targets dolphin fish, a plentiful summertime fish off the Keys. Contact Ed Kinkelaar at (305) 664-2321, ext. 655, e-mail ekinkelaar@holidayisle.com

July 21-24: Del Brown Invitational Permit Tournament. Key West. Anglers fly-fish on the flats for the powerful, speedy permit. The tournament honors the late angling pioneer Del Brown, who caught and released more than 500 permit off the Keys. Contact Charlotte Ambrogio at (305) 664-2444, e-mail csasun@aol.com

July 22-25: Drambuie Key West Marlin Tournament. Key West. Anglers pursue the mightiest of the offshore species in the same waters plied by novelist Ernest Hemingway. The catch-and-release tournament is held in conjunction with Key West’s annual Hemingway Days celebration, and offers $250,000 in available prize money. Contact Scott Greene at (305) 292-2710, visit www.keywestmarlin.com

July 26-27: Islamorada Fishing Club RedGhost Stalk. Islamorada. Anglers compete to catch redfish and bonefish, the gray ghost of the flats. Winners qualify for the IGFA Inshore Championship. The tournament is open to anglers ages 11 to 25. Contact Jim and Sherri Trice at (305) 664-3864, e-mail trice_j@bellsouth.net

August 2009

Aug. 7-9: Islamorada Swordfish Tournament. Islamorada. Anglers compete to catch swordfish, a species that has recovered to healthy populations off the Keys. This modified release tournament benefits the International Game Fish Association. Contact Cherise Jennette at (305) 282-1006, e-mail freeways@aol.com

September 2009

Sept. 11-13: Mercury S.L.A.M. (Southernmost Light-Tackle Anglers Masters) Celebrity Tournament. Key West. In the first of the annual fall Redbone Trilogy events that raise money to fight cystic fibrosis, top anglers and celebrities target tarpon, permit and bonefish with light tackle. Contact Gary Ellis at (305) 664-2002, e-mail redboneinc@aol.com, visit www.redbone.org

Sept. 11-13: Herman Lucerne Memorial Tournament. Key Largo. Up to 100 anglers will be competing for snook, tarpon, redfish, sea trout, snapper, bonefish and black drum against the backdrop of Everglades National Park. Contact Charlotte Ambrogio at (305) 664-2444 or e-mail csasun@aol.com.

Sept. 15-18: Islamorada Invitational Fall Fly Bonefish Tournament. Islamorada. Fly anglers are to pursue Islamorada bonefish, some of the largest and smartest in the world, at this all-release tournament. Contact Charlotte Ambrogio at (305) 664-2444 or e-mail csasun@aol.com.

Sept. 17-20: 50th Annual Marathon International Bonefish Tournament. Marathon. Some of the best bonefish anglers anywhere are to stalk the gray ghost of the flats in an area rich with them. This is an all-release spin or fly event. Contact Lindsay Rabito-Leonard at (305) 481-4571 or (305) 743-9424,

Sept. 18-20: Ladies, Let's Go Fishing. Islamorada. Female anglers polish their skills and fish in an event sponsored by the fishing education and advocacy group, Ladies, Let's Go Fishing! Contact Betty Bauman at (954) 475-9068, e-mail billfishbetty@hotmail.com or visit www.ladiesletsgofishing.com.

October 2009

Oct. 2-4: Mercury Baybone Celebrity Tournament. Key Largo. The second of three tournaments composing the annual Redbone Trilogy, the Baybone targets permit and bonefish to raise money for cystic fibrosis research. Contact Gary Ellis at (305) 664-2002, e-mail redboneinc@aol.com, visit www.redbone.org

Oct. 4-9: Mercury Outboards Bonefishing World Championship/Islamorada All-Tackle Bonefish Tournament. Islamorada. Some of the best bonefish anglers compete to catch and release the gray ghost of the flats. Proceeds are to be donated to local charities. Contact Charlotte Ambrogio at (305) 664-2444, e-mail csasun@aol.com

Oct. 8-10: Womens Fall Fly Classic Multiple Species. Previously called the Women’s World Invitational Fly Championship Bonefish Series, the revamped all-release, fly-only tournament is to have anglers fishing for four different species. Contact Charlotte Ambrogio at (305) 664-2444, visit www.womensflyseries.com/index.html, e-mail csasun@aol.com

Oct. 9-11: Take Stock in Children Backcountry Challenge. Key Largo. Anglers fish for snook and redfish to benefit a statewide scholarship program. Contact Sue Finney at (305) 451-2467, e-mail keyshomesrus@bellsouth.net

November 2009

Nov. 6-8: Mercury Redbone Celebrity Tournament. Islamorada. Celebrities and other anglers catch bonefish and redfish to raise money for cystic fibrosis research in the final event of the annual Redbone Trilogy. Contact Gary Ellis at (305) 664-2002, e-mail redboneinc@aol.com, visit www.redbone.org

Nov. 27-28: Islamorada Fishing Club Junior Derby. Islamorada. All species count for points in this competition for young anglers, with the most points awarded for bonefish and permit. Contact Jim and Sherri Trice at (305) 664-3864, e-mail trice_j@bellsouth.net

December 2009

Dec. 3-6: Islamorada Sailfish Tournament. Islamorada. This competition is the first leg of the triple-crown Florida Keys Gold Cup Championship Series. The tournament is one of the oldest in the Florida Keys. Contact Dianne Harbaugh at (305) 852-2102, e-mail ditournaments@aol.com, visit www.islamoradasailfishtournament.com

Dec. 4-7: Islamorada Fishing Club Captain’s Cup Sailfish Tournament. Islamorada. Anglers compete for a winner-take-all $25,000 jackpot for catching and releasing sailfish. Contact Claire Williams at (305) 664-4735, visit www.theislamoradafishingclub.com or e-mail fishclubclaire@bellsouth.net.

Dec. 11-13: 10th Annual Captain Don Gurgiolo Sailfish Classic. Islamorada. This all-release tournament offers anglers a chance to pursue sailfish in honor of Captain Don’s memory. Contact Tammie Gurgiolo at (305) 852-9337, e-mail fishnbully@msn.com

Dec. 18-20: Islamorada Junior Sailfish Tournament. Islamorada. Now in its 45th year, the event allows anglers through age 16 to target sailfish. All anglers are to receive trophies. Contact Tammie Gurgiolo at (305) 852-9337, e-mail fishnbully@msn.com