Jan. 7-9: Sailfish Open at Hawks Cay.
Marathon. Eighteen teams of professional anglers and amateur enthusiasts will compete in the catch-and-release tournament in the waters around Marathon. Contact Laura Emmole at (305) 395-3474 or (727) 631-0072, e-mail lemmole@worldsailfish.com or visit thesailfishopen.com.
Jan. 7-10: Sailbone Offshore & Backcountry.
Islamorada. 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.
Jan 10-11: Bartender’s Sailfish Open.
Islamorada. An all-release sailfish tournament, this challenge offers awards to winning bars and bartenders. Contact Dianne Harbaugh at (305) 852-2102, e-mail m ditournaments@aol.com, visit Islamoradasailfishtournament.com or write to P.O. Box 462, Islamorada FL 33036.
Jan 12-14: Islamorada SailFly Championship.
Islamorada. 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.
Jan. 15-17: Key Largo Sailfish Challenge.
Key Largo. Anglers battle msailfish during the peak of the season. The tournament also features raffles, drawings and cash prizes. Contact Tammie Gurgiolo at (305)852-9337 or e-mail fishnbully@msn.com.
Jan. 21-23: Cheeca Lodge Presidential Sailfish Tournament.
Islamorada. In this all-release tournament, anglers fish for the mighty sailfish in waters surrounding the region 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, visit cheeca.com or write to Cheeca Lodge, P.O. Box 527, Islamorada FL 33036.
Jan. 22-24: Key West Harbour 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) 296- 0364, e-mail lee@murraymarine.com or write to Murray Marine, 5710m U.S. 1, Mile Marker 5, Key West FL 33040.
Jan. 25-26: Captain Al Flutie Over the Hill Sailfish Tournament.
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 redbone.org or write to P.O.
Box 273, Islamorada FL 33036.
Jan. 27-28: Islamorada Fishing Club Sailfish Tournament.
Islamorada. The historic fishing club offers a $30,000 winner-takeall
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 or visit
theislamoradafishingclub.com.
Information Courtesy of Weekly Fisherman
fishing is a great hobby and it is very enjoyable too”`:
there are many hobbies out there but there is no other hobby like fishing, fishing is every enjoyable ,,~