ISLAMORADA / June 05 to June 10
Don Hawley Invitational Tarpon Tournament
The world’s top fly-rod anglers endure a five-day test of will and muscle, fishing Keys waters using fly tackle and either a 12- or 16-pound tippet. Named for the late fly fisherman and conservationist Don Hawley, the tournament benefits the Don Hawley Foundation, assisting professional fishing guides and supporting backcountry fishery conservation. programs. Entry fee is $1,250 per angler.
Contact: Charlotte Ambrogio 305-942-0428
Email: csasun@aol.com
KEY LARGO / June 10 to June 11
18th Annual Original Ladies Dolphin Tournament
Join the 18th Annual Original Ladies Dolphin Tournament benefiting the Rotary Club of Key Largo. Early Registration is only $100. More than $15,000 in cash and prizes are to be given to the top 20 anglers.
Contact: John Stuart 305-923-9685
Email: john_stuart@bellsouth.net
BIG PINE & THE LOWER KEYS / June 10 to June 12
Big Pine & Lower Keys Dolphin Tournament
More than $40,000 in cash and prizes await anglers in different divisions: an open division with guaranteed $10,000 cash to the angler who catches the heaviest dolphin, top female angler and a youth division, for anglers age 15 and under to win rods, reels and trophies. Prizes are presented for the heaviest wahoo and tuna caught as well.
Contact: Carole Stevens 305-872-2411
Email: executivedirector@lowerkeyschamber.com
ISLAMORADA / June 17 to June 18
7th Annual Island Grill Charity Dolphin Tournament & Fun Day
This event benefits Baptist Hospital’s Children’s Cancer Center, and a $5,000 grand prize for the best three dolphin caught, and a Mercedes GLK SUV for the angler that breaks the state record for dolphin. A perfect family event.
Contact: Dianne Harbaugh 305-852-2102
Email: ditournaments@aol.com
MARATHON / June 17-18
Father’s Day Dolphin Derby
Skip the necktie this year because the 25th Annual Father’s Day Dolphin Derby will give dads plenty of angling action. The event is slated for Saturday, June 18 in Marathon. Presented by Big Time Bait & Tackle and Sparky’s Landing, the one-day locals tournament could net $10,000 for the largest dolphin. Event organizer and Big Time co-owner Byron “Biff” Goss said more boats equal a bigger purse.
“We’re cutting out the fluff to give more money,” he said. The $450 entry fee covers six anglers with tournament t-shirts and heavy appetizers at Sparky’s Landing on Key Colony Beach.
“What better way to spend quality time with dad than a memorable day on the water fishing?” said Capt. Jack Carlson, Goss’s business partner and father of three.
Registration closes on Friday, June 17 at 6 pm, and a captain’s meeting will immediately follow at Sparky’s Landing, located in the Key Colony Beach Marina off U.S. 1 at Mile Marker 53.5.
Lines in runs from 8 am to 3:30 pm on Saturday, June 18, and all fish must be weighed in at Big Time between 3-6 pm. The Awards Ceremony takes place at Sparky’s at 7 pm.
To register, call (305) 289-0199 or visit www.bigtimetournaments.com.
ISLAMORADA / June 19 to June 24
Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament
This prestigious tournament, whose founders include baseball great and avid fly-fisherman Ted Williams, pits 25 fly-rod anglers against the tenacious silver king for four straight days of fishing. Experienced tournament anglers and novices are welcome to compete. Entry fee is $1,250 per angler, which includes all social functions for the angler and guide. Tournament proceeds benefit children’s charities in the Keys.
Contact: Charlotte Ambrogio 305-942-0428
Email: csasun@aol.com
KEY WEST / June 24 to June 26
Key West Gator Club Dolphin Derby
More than $30,000 in cash, prizes and trophies are up for grabs. The Edward Jones 50-Pound Challenge, a voluntary–entry competition awards the first participant who reaches the dock with a dolphin weighing 50 pounds earns an additional cash prize estimated at $3,000. Participating anglers can enter one qualifying fish on each of the tournament’s two fishing days.
Contact: John Stuempfig 305-304-7674
Email: wave.whacker@hotmail.com
KEY LARGO / June 24 to June 25
University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame Dolphin Tournament
Fish with some of your favorite former ‘Cane All-Stars! Cash prizes for the heaviest dolphin, and a “Bucket-o-Bucks” highlight the one-day tournament. Captains meeting at Ocean View Pub, Islamorada; tournament headquartered at Marina del Mar Resort & Marina, Key Largo. Discount price of $375 boat entry fee available for reservations made by June 1; up to four anglers per boat.
Contact: KC Jones 303-925-3660
Email: jonesest@msn.com; umsportshallfame@aol.com
MARATHON / June 25 to June 26
11th Annual Dolphin & Blackfin Tuna Fun Fishing Tournament
Top prizes of $700, $350 and $200 await individual adult anglers who catch the three heaviest dolphin in this tournament, as well as cash awards for the heaviest blackfin tuna and wahoo. Open to adult and junior anglers, entry fee $100 and $50 respectively.
Contact: Brenda Duff 305-743-5317
Email: burdineswaterfront@gmail.com