Anglers can compete alongside notable sports personalities Thursday through Saturday, June 20-22, when the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame & Museum brings its 2024 Celebrity Fishing Tournament to Islamorada. Started in 2011 in Key Largo, the tournament returns to its longtime Islamorada “home” following a short stint on mainland Florida.
Gary Dunn, UM Sports Hall of Famer and Pittsburgh Steeler standout with two Super Bowl wins, will serve as host of the tournament. Since 1996, Dunn has owned the Ocean View Inn and Sports Pub at 80450 Overseas Highway bayside.
A welcome party for tournament anglers, sponsors and participating UM Sports Hall of Fame celebrities will be held at Ocean View Inn Thursday, June 20 from 7 to 9 p.m. The public is invited to attend to meet their favorite UM players. Participating celebrities this year include Jimmy Johnson, K.C. Jones, J.D. Arteaga, Randal Hill, Mike Ward and Spencer “Doc” Kellogg.
A tournament kickoff party, also open to the public, is set Friday, June 21, from 5 to 10 p.m. on the beach at La Siesta Resort & Villas, 80241 Overseas Highway oceanside, with celebrities in attendance. Events will include a captains meeting, auctions and dinner.
Lines-in for fishing is at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 22, and fish must be weighed in no later than 5 p.m. The official weigh-in and a dock party are planned from 2 to 5 p.m. at Three Waters Resort & Marina, 84001 Overseas Highway oceanside. Those who aren’t fishing are welcome to stop by to get photos with UM celebrities and their fish.
The event concludes with an awards dinner and party Saturday from 7 to 10 p.m. at La Siesta. Cash prizes and awards will be presented to the top three teams that catch the heaviest aggregate weight of three dolphin fish, with $7,000 awarded for first place, $2,000 for second and $1,000 for third.
The top male, female and junior anglers – determined by the weight of the heaviest dolphin fish caught — will each receive trophies.
The angler with the heaviest single fish of the other eligible species — tuna, wahoo and kingfish — will receive the “King of Fish” prize and $500. Optional added-value prize categories require additional fees.
Tournament entry fees are $250 per angler until June 20 and $300 on June 21. Additional social event tickets are available to the public for the Friday and Saturday evening events.
Tournament proceeds benefit the Ari Arteaga Foundation and the Upper Keys Foundation, as well as the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame & Museum.Tournament registration and ticketing information are at canesfish.com.
