Islamorada Fishing Tournaments

Islamorada is known throughout the world for its fishing. The list below will provide you with a comprehensive list of 2010 Fishing Tournaments in Islamorada. Whether or not you are looking to fish in an offshore fishing tournament or a backcountry fishing tournament, you will be sure to find a fishing tournament that will fit your need.

January 7 - 10 Sailbone Offshore & Backcountry Tournament, Islamorada Florida.

Three days of fishing in the backcountry and offshore have anglers competing for both sailfish and bonefish. Contact Sharon Mahoney Ellenwood at (305) 664-2012 or (305) 393-6174, or e-mail sharellen@netzero.net

January 10 - 11 Bartender's Sailfish Open, Islamorada Florida.

An all-release sailfish tournament, this challenge offers awards to winning bars and bartenders. Contact Dianne Harbaugh at (305) 852-2102, e-mail ditournaments@aol.com or write to P.O. Box 462, Islamorada FL 33036.

January 12 - 14 Islamorada SailFly Championship, Islamorada Florida.

In this all-release boat team tournament with no more than two anglers per boat allowed, captains, mates or anglers can tease, but only the registered anglers can cast, hook and play the fish. Tournament rules will be IGFA format. Contact Denise Scoble or Sandy Moret at (305) 664-5423, e-mail sandy@floridakeysoutfitters.com or write to P.O. Box 603, Islamorada FL 33036.

January 27 - 28 Islamorada Fishing Club Sailfish Tournament, Islamorada Florida.

The historic fishing club offers a $30,000 winner-take-all cash prize in this sailfish challenge. The tournament is limited to 30 boats. Contact Dianne Harbaugh at (305) 852-2102 or (305) 664-4725, e-mail fishing@theislamoradafishinglclub.com.

January 29 - 30 Florida Keys Fishing Guides Assn. Swamp Guides Ball, Islamorada Florida.

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 Captain Rusty and Terry Albury at (305) 664-5142, e-mail talbury@aol.com or write to P.O. Box 303, Islamorada FL 33036.

February 12 - 14 Islamorada Women's Sailfish Tournament, Islamorada Florida.

This light-tackle challenge has female anglers facing off against the famous tail-dancers for trophies and prizes. Contact Tammie Gurgiolo at (305) 852-9337, e-mail fishnbully@msn.com or write to 124 Tavern Drive, Tavernier FL 33070.

February 26 - 27 Backcountry Fly Championship, Islamorada Florida.

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 casasun@aol.com or write to P.O. Box 1063, Islamorada FL 33036.

March 5 - 6 Backbone Lures "Fish 'Til You Lose It", Islamorada Florida.

Anglers compete to catch the finned denizens of the flats and backcountry, fishing with one lure or one fly until they lose it. Contact Paul Tejera by e-mailing captbackbone@gmail.com

March 11 - 14 Florida Keys Survivor, Islamorada Florida.

In this backcountry elimination draw tournament, the winner is the sole survivor. Contact Sharon Mahoney Ellenwood at (305) 664-2012 or (305) 393-6174, or e-mail sharellen@netzero.net.

April 7 - 9 Islamorada All-Tackle Spring Bonefish Tournament, Islamorada Florida.

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 Charlotte Ambrogio at (305) 664-2444, e-mail csasun@aol.com or write to P.O. Box 1063, Islamorada FL 33036.

May 17 - 19 Golden Fly Tarpon Tournament, Islamorada Florida.

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 or write to P.O. Box 1063, Islamorada FL 33036.

June 4 - 6 Islamorada Dolphin Tournament, Islamorada Florida.

Hosted by the Islamorada Charterboat Association, this second annual event is headquartered at Whale Harbor Marina, with $15,000 in prize money and an unlimited number of anglers. Contact Dianne Harbaugh at (305) 852-2102 or e-mail ditournaments@aol.com.

June 7 - 11 Don Hawley Tarpon Tournament, Islamorada Florida.

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 or write to P.O. Box 1063, Islamorada FL 33036.

June 15 - 17 Women's Fly Series - Tarpon, Islamorada Florida.

This invitational fly tournament for tarpon, open to men and women, benefits children's charities. Contact Charlotte Ambrogio at (305) 664-2444, e-mail csasun@aol.com or write to P.O. Box 1063, Islamorada FL 33036.

June 18 - 19 Charity Dolphin Tournament, Islamorada Florida.

This invitational chairty dolphin fishing tournament is open to men and women. Contact Jack McCormick, e-mail keysislandgrill@bellsouth.net , Islamorada FL 33036.

June 21 - 25 Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament, Islamorada Florida.

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 1063, Islamorada FL 33036.

July 13 - 15 Florida Keys Outfitters IGFA Inshore World Championship, Islamorada Florida.

Contact Denise Scoble or Sandy Moret at (305) 664-5423, email sandy@floridakeysoutfitters.com or write to P.O. Box 603, Islamorada FL 33036.

July 25 - 26 Islamorada Fishing Club RedGhost Stalk, Islamorada Florida.

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 or write to P.O. Box 22, Islamorada, FL 33036.

August 27 - 29 Islamorada Swordfish Tournament, Islamorada Florida.

Anglers compete to catch swordfish, a species that has recovered to healthy populations off the Keys. This modified release tournament benefits the Billfish Foundation. Contact Captain Richard Peeples at (305) 282-1006, e-mail Supersti@aol.com.

September 15 - 17 Islamorada Invitational Fall Fly Bonefish Tournament, Islamorada Florida.

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, e-mail csasun@aol.com or write to P.O. Box 1063, Islamorada FL 33036.

October 6 - 8 Women's Fall Fly Classic - Multiple Species, Islamorada Florida.

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, e-mail csasun@aol.com or write to P.O. Box 1063, Islamorada FL 33036.

October 11 - 15 Islamorada All-Tackle Bonefish Tournament, Islamorada Florida.

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 or write to P.O. Box 1063, Islamorada FL 33036.

October 15 - 16 Casting for Cats, Islamorada Florida.

This one-day ladies' all-tackle backcountry tournament raises money for local charities. Contact Sharon Mahoney Ellenwood at (305) 664-2012 or (305) 393-6174, or e-mail sharellen@netzero.net.

November Ladies, Let's Go Fishing, Islamorada Florida.

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 write to P.O. Box 550429, Fort Lauderdale FL 33355.

November 5 - 7 Mercury Redbone Celebrity Tournament, Islamorada Florida.

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, or write to P.O. Box 273, Islamorada, FL 33036.

November 27 - 28 Islamorada Fishing Club Junior Derby, Islamorada Florida.

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 or write to P.O. Box 22, Islamorada FL 33036.

December 2 - 5 Islamorada Sailfish Tournament, Islamorada Florida.

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 or write to P.O. Box 462, Islamorada, FL 33036.

December 8 - 9 Islamorada Fishing Club Captain's Cup Sailfish Tournament, Islamorada Florida.

Anglers compete for a winner-take-all $25,000 jackpot for catching and releasing sailfish. Contact Dianne Harbaugh at (305) 852-2102, e-mail fishing@theislamoradafishingclub.com, or write to P.O. Box 22, Islamorada FL 33036.

December 10 - 12 Captain Don Gurgiolo Sailfish Classic, Islamorada Florida.

This all-release tournament offers anglers a chance to pursue sailfish in Captain Don's memory. Contact Tammie Gurgiolo at (305) 852-9337, e-mail fishnbully@msn.com or write to P.O. Box 432, Islamorada FL 33036.

December 17 - 19 Islamorada Junior Sailfish Tournament, Islamorada Florida.

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 or write to 124 Tavern Drive, Tavernier FL 33070.