A popular, one-day backcountry fishing tournament in Islamorada is back for its 24th year, with funds supporting several causes near and dear to organizer Sharon Mahoney.
Mahoney’s Casting for Cats tournament began in 2001 as a fundraiser to support the feral cat population in the Upper Keys. Once for ladies only, the tournament has since opened to male anglers, providing everyone with a fun day in the backcountry all while helping needy animals and the Shriners, of which Mahoney’s father was a member.
Since its inception, Casting for Cats has helped 8,000 cats get spay and neutering services in collaboration with other organizations like Whiskers and Paws Forever of Monroe County. And roughly 3,000 cats have found new homes.
Mahoney said she remembers a time in which she’d see dead cats on the side of the road as she drove from her Plantation Key residence to her Enchanted Forest business on Upper Matecumbe Key.
“You really don’t see cats like you used to on the side of the highway, crossing the road or by Dumpsters,” Mahoney said. “I know we’ve made a difference. I’m working with the Upper Keys Humane Society to help fund their spay and neuter clinics. I work year-round on it.”
A kickoff party and sign-in is set for Friday, Oct. 17 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Islander Resort, located at MM 82.1, oceanside, in Islamorada. Last-minute registration will go from 6 to 7:45 p.m., and a review of the rules will take place at 7:15 p.m. Anglers can compete in bait, artificial and fly divisions.
Lines will enter the water at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18, with lines out at 3:30 p.m.
An awards dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Back by popular demand is the litter box dig, where anyone from the public can dig for $5 and find coins for prizes.
“There’s a night-stay in Key West that someone’s going to win,”Mahoney said.
Added to the intrigue of this year’s Casting for Cats tournament is the chance to win a Dragonfly Boatworks skiff. Teams composed of two anglers, either two women or a man and a woman, must both successfully reel in a permit, tarpon, bonefish, snook, redfish and catfish. Mahoney said the boat will be on display at the Islander Resort throughout the tournament.
“It’s not easy to do but it’s not impossible,” Mahoney said. “It’s a hole-in-one golf tournament type thing.”
During the tournament, pop-up tents at Lorelei will feature merchandise from Casting for Cats, and Dolphin Life, the new marine mammal hospital at Islamorada.
In addition to Casting for Cats, Mahoney organizes the annual Poor Girls Sailfish tournament, set for Feb. 3-4, 2026. Like Casting for Cats, all proceeds support the animals and Shriners.
“We are so proud to be partnered with so many wonderful sponsors and community support. Casting For Cats has been able to purchase a new top-of-the-line X-ray machine, thousands of dollars in cages and now has aided in the purchase of a new ultrasound machine. It is because of the support of the community and so many giving people this is able to happen,” Mahoney said.
Those wishing to volunteer or needing additional information can visit castingforcats.org or contact Mahoney at 305-664-2012 or 305-304-5262.
