Fishing News

Male, female and junior anglers — including first responders, veterans and active-duty service members — can test their skills against five finned species Friday through Sunday, June 18-20, during the ninth annual VFW Fishing Tournament.

"Ladies, Let's Go Fishing!" provides female anglers a learn-on-the-water weekend of education combined with the fun Screamin’ Reels tournament to be held in the Florida Keys' sport fishing capital of Islamorada Friday through Sunday, June 11-13.

More than 900 anglers among 117 boats hit the waters off the Florida Keys during May’s opening weekend for the 15th annual Tom Thumb Bull and Cow Dolphin Tournament, one of the Middle Keys’ most popular fun-fishing events.

Angling teams can compete for more than $35,000 in cash and prizes while vying to land the largest dolphin fish June 4-6 in the waters surrounding the Lower Florida Keys.

Six barracuda and four bonefish releases earned guide Pat Bracher and his 9-year-old angler daughter Charley, both of Cudjoe Key, Florida, top honors in the spin division of the Sugarloaf Showdown.

Angling teams can vie for awards while targeting the Lower Florida Keys’ wiliest species during the rescheduled Sugarloaf Showdown, a fundraising fishing tournament scheduled Thursday through Saturday, Jan. 28-30.

Besting over 40 competitors, Saydie and Sawyer Hendrix, ages 12 and 11 respectively, 10-year-old Lela Goodrich and 11-year-old RJ Paul together captured top team honors at the annual Islamorada Junior Sailfish Tournament that ended Dec. 13.

Florida Keys fishing tournaments provide a test of skill for anglers and a chance for captains and guides to share their knowledge of the Keys’ diverse fisheries. While tournaments and other events in the Keys may undergo schedule changes or cancellations because of the COVID-19 pandemic, all tournament dates and information are accurate as of the writing of this release.

Anglers of all ages and abilities can target more than 40 species of fish in the Key West Fishing Tournament, a free-entry multidivision challenge that takes place Dec. 1, 2020, to July 31, 2021.

Continuing a 50-plus-year tradition, the Florida Keys Gold Cup Sailfish Championship triple-crown series is to open with the Islamorada Sailfish Tournament Thursday through Sunday, Dec. 3-6, a primary fundraiser for the Islamorada Charter Boat Association.