In 2019, the motto of the annual Marathon Offshore Bull & Cow Dolphin Tournament was “the more the merrier” — as the number of boats fishing the tournament increased, so did the pot. In 2020, it’s “the show will go on.” Despite the COVID19 quarantine, the tournament will kick off on Friday, April 30 with a non-mandatory captain’s meeting, followed by two days of fishing ending on Sunday, May 3. Due to the pandemic, there will be no awards banquet, but prizes and trophies will still be handed out.
“We just decided to go ahead and have it,” said tourney founder and director Jack Carlson. “And, you know what? It feels good to have an event on the calendar.”
The tournament, which started in 2006, usually attracts lots of out-of-towners. The playing field in 2020 will have a distinctly local advantage — either full-time residents or visitors with long-term leases, as the Keys are still closed to visitors.
Organizers are keeping the entry fees and the prize money the same. The jackpot for largest bull and cow combined weight is a guaranteed $10,000, but can increase as more boats participate in the tournament.
Because the grand prize is based on the combined weight of the largest bull and cow, it’s a very competitive tourney. Sometimes first and second place are separated by as little as one ounce. The structure of the tournament, sponsored by Tom Thumb, has made it popular since its inception. Weigh-ins will be staged from 4 to 6 p.m. May 2-3 at the Big Time Bait & Tackle located at 1149 Overseas Highway in Marathon. The contest also emphasizes conservation.
“While the Marathon Offshore Tournament supports the legal and ethical harvesting of fish during our tournaments, we’re steadfast in our pledge to the conservation of our marine eco-system. Our commitment continues through our support of organizations like CCA Florida, the Billfish Foundation and by setting an example for other anglers,” Carlson said.
There is still time to register online at marathonoffshoretournament.com. Registration fees are $775 per boat.
