The 18th annual Tom Thumb Marathon Offshore Bull and Cow Dolphin Tournament is set to challenge anglers Friday through Sunday, May 3-5.
A grand prize of $18,000 cash will go to the team with the largest combined weight of a bull and a cow dolphin fish. The top prize payout grows as more boats register.
If the field grows to 90 to 99 boats, the first-place cash award will be $20,000. With a field of 100 or more boats, the first-place cash prize reaches $25,000.
Prizes also are awarded for the largest bull dolphin fish, largest cow dolphin, heaviest combined weight of three dolphin fish and for the largest wahoo, blackfin tuna and tripletail. Other awards recognize the top female angler, top junior angler and more.
Final registration, a captains meeting and tournament shirt pickup is by drop-in Friday, May 3 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. at Two Conchs Bait & Tackle, 11499 Overseas Hwy.
Fishing is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 4-5. Weigh-in each day is set for 4 to 6 p.m. at Two Conchs Bait & Tackle.
The awards banquet is planned for 7 p.m. Sunday at Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters, 11710 Overseas Hwy. Non-anglers can purchase tickets to attend the awards banquet for $25 per person.Teams can register online at marathonoffshoretournament.com. Through Thursday, April 18, the entry fee is $875 per boat with a team of up to six anglers. On or after April 19, the fee is $995.
