Islamorada Women's Sailfish Tournament
February 3 - 5, 2012
In this light-tackle challenge, awards await the grand champion team (boat), first runner-up and second runner-up team, captain and mate, as well as those recognizing the high-point angler, outstanding catch, largest tuna, dolphin and kingfish, most tagged sailfish and hard luck. Proceeds help Voices for Florida Keys Children.
Contact: Tammie Gurgiolo 305-240-9337
Email: fishnbully@msn.com


Cuda Bowl
February 3 & 4, 2012
Shallow water flats anglers and guides are invited to hook-up and fight their barracuda rivals. Event is to be headquartered at Hurricane Hole Marina, Stock Island. Prizes are to be awarded for top angler and guide in light tackle spin and fly divisions, including a substantial gift certificate to Hurricane Hole Restaurant & Bar plus a trophy. Entry fee is $250 for one angler, $300 for two anglers.
Contact: Justin or Loren Rea 305-744-0903
Email: info@cudabowl.com


Backcountry Fly Championship
February 23 - 25, 2012
Tournament anglers are to compete to catch the most inches of snook and redfish on fly in a competition where one inch equals one point. Rules mandate that only two catches of each species over the two days of fishing can be counted toward an angler's total inches. Awards are to be given for grand champion, runner-up to grand champion, and largest snook, redfish and tarpon.
Email: michaelc@crisdel.com

Jimmy Johnson's National Billfish Championship: Quest for the Ring
March 1 - 3 , 2012
Hosted by Jimmy Johnson, two-time Super Bowl winning coach and former head coach at the University of Miami, the Florida Keys Celebrity Fishing Tournament is to benefit the University's Sports Hall of Fame, as well as other charitable foundations. Entry fee for the all-release team tournament is $5,000, and includes gift bags and tickets for all social functions for up to six team members. An early registration discount of 10% applies if registered on or before Dec. 1, 2011.
Contact: 305-255-3500
Email: Tod@ci-mgt.com


14th Annual Captain Leon Shell Memorial Sailfish Tournament
March 2 - 4 , 2012
The 14th annual tournament offers two full days of sailfishing and a $25,000 cash purse. The winning boat team is to receive a grand prize of $20,000 cash (with 20 registered boats), and cash prizes to first and second runners-up. Trophies are to be awarded to the top boat teams and individual sailfish anglers. Proceeds benefit Hospice of the Florida Keys.
Contact: Matthew Anthony 305-684-9799

March Merkin Permit Tournament
March 11 - 15, 2012
A charity flats-and-fly-only tournament with a twist - in addition to catch and release, anglers earn extra points for tagging their caught fish. Held at the Key West Harbour Yacht Club on Stock Island.
Contact: Jon Ain 303-888-4546
Email: falcatusdude@gmail.com


Key West Fishing Tournament Kick-Off
March 16 - 18, 2012
Fifteen target species and $5,000 in cash prizes highlight this open-to-the-public event, heralding the beginning of more than eight months of exciting Keys fishing. Cash awards await individual participants who catch the heaviest dolphin, kingfish, cobia, blackfin tuna, mackerel, mutton snapper, wahoo, mangrove snapper and grunt, and for boat teams that score the most releases of tarpon, permit, bonefish, barracuda, marlin and sailfish. Junior anglers under age 15 can also fish. Entries in the kickoff also are eligible for the Key West Fishing Tournament, which runs through Nov. 30, 2012.
Contact: Doris Harris 305-295-6601
Email: kwft@comcast.net


Key West Fishing Tournament
March 17 - November 30, 2012
More than 40 species of fish are targeted during these months, with divisions for men, women, junior anglers (ages 10 to 14) and Pee Wees (under 10 years old). In a March kickoff event, anglers target 15 species and $5,000 in cash prizes is split between the top anglers.
Contact: Doris Harris 305-295-6601
Email: kwft@comcast.net


Jim Bokor’s Islamorada All-Tackle Spring Bonefish Tournament
April 10 - 13, 2012
The prestigious All-Tackle championship is to go to the high-point angler who catches at least one bonefish in all four tackle divisions and one or more weight fish in at least two divisions. This demanding challenge, with general, fly and spin-casting divisions, is limited to 25 invited anglers, with a maximum of two anglers plus guide per boat.
Email: JABOK@aol.com


World Sailfish Championship
April 17 - 21, 2012
With a guaranteed top prize of $100,000, the prestigious sailfish challenge draws top teams and benefits the Don Shula Foundation for Breast Cancer Research, Camp Boggy Creek for youngsters with chronic and life-threatening illnesses, and other national and local charities.
Contact: Chris King 727-631-0072
Email: cking@csmgroup.net


Redbone @ Large La Siesta Sunrise/Sunset Tarpon Tournament
April 20 - 22, 2012
Redbone-at-Large tournaments are held each year whose proceeds benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Former NASA astronaut Bruce Melnick, whose more than 300 hours in space includes having flown as mission specialist on the Space Shuttle Discovery in 1990 and flight engineer on the first flight of the Shuttle Endeavour, was among the 2011 event celebrities. Entry fee is $3,000 per two-angler team, which includes guide fee and social privileges for each angler and a guest.
Contact: Gary Ellis 305-664-7882
Email: redboneinc@aol.com


Tarponian Tournament
April 29 - May 2, 2012
For enthusiastic tarpon anglers, silver kings mean springtime. This high-energy, three-evening tournament mandates that teams fish with a different captain each evening. Teams also rotate among the three major bridge channels in Marathon, so any potential "hot spots" are shared among all anglers. Contact: David Breznicky at 215-542-1492
Email: dbreznicky@breznickyassociates.com

Nick Sheahan Dolphin Rodeo
May 6 - 7, 2012
A tournament honoring the memory of Nick Sheahan, a Florida Keys student, funds from this event benefit community scholarships for graduates of Coral Shores High School - more than $30,000 to date. Hosted at Tavernier Creek Marina, entry fee for adults is $100, $25 for kids.
Contact: 305-393-3709
Email: nicksheahan88@gmail.com


6th Annual Marathon Offshore Bull and Cow Dolphin Tournament
May 4 - 6, 2012
Anglers vie for more than $25,000 in prizes in this boat team event, with seven different divisions. Teams of up to six anglers can register. Awards of up to $10,000 for the largest bull and cow combined - as well as cash prizes for wahoo, tuna and tripletail, grouper and snapper division winners.
Contact: Jack Carlson or Byron Goss at 305-289-0199

Faro Blanco Invitational Tarpon Tournament
May 6 - 11, 2012
This angling challenge with a 26-year history of fish tales and foolery helps fund the Ronald McDonald Summer Camp program for disabled youngsters. Captains are drawn during the kickoff event, and anglers fish with a different captain each of the three days of fishing, in what is a hugely popular tournament format.
Contact: Bob Traa 609-645-1840 ext. 115

26th Annual Coconuts Dolphin Tournament
May 18 - 20, 2012
A "truckload" of cash and prizes topping $50,000 attract anglers to one of South Florida's largest-drawing tournaments. The angler who lands a fish exceeding 63.9 pounds, the current event record, wins a two-year lease on a 2012 Honda Ridgeline RT pickup truck valued at more than $10,000.
Contact: 305-453-9794; Charles Mountain 561-512-4455
Email: mountain1111@aol.com


Outback Golden Fly Tarpon Tournament
May 20 - 23, 2012
Special flies, accurate casts and a bit of luck are the recipe for winning this prestigious challenge, using only a tournament-furnished tippet not greater than 20-pound test. Eligible tarpon must measure at least 48 inches in length to earn release points, and weigh at least 70 pounds for weight points.
Contact: Betsy Bullard
Email: fishnfever@bellsouth.net


Islamorada Dolphin Tournament
June 1 - 3, 2012
Hosted by the Islamorada Charterboat Association, this annual event is headquartered at Whale Harbor Marina with $10,000 in prize money. Competition is open to all anglers and there is no limit on the number of anglers that can participate.
Contact: Call Dianne Harbaugh 305-852-2102; 305-522-48
Email: ditournaments@aol.com


Don Hawley Invitational Tarpon Tournament
June 3 - 8, 2012
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 Guides Trust Foundation, assisting professional fishing guides and supporting backcountry fishery conservation programs.
Email: HawleyTournament@aol.com


IFC Captains Cup Dolphin Tournament
June 6 & 7, 2012
Just three fish are all that's needed to capture the $25,000 winner-take-all grand prize, but the aggregate weight of the three dorado must be the highest in the tournament.
Contact: Islamorada Fishing Club 305-664-4735
Email: fishing@theislamoradafishinglclub.com


Big Pine & Lower Keys Dolphin Tournament
June 8 - 10, 2012
More than $40,000 in cash and prizes includes a guaranteed $10,000 to the angler in the open division that catches the heaviest dolphin. In the youth division, anglers age 15 and under can win rods, reels and trophies. Kickoff is Friday, June 8 and fishing days are June 9-10. Prizes also are presented for the heaviest wahoo and tuna.
Contact: Carole Stevens 305-872-2411
Email: executivedirector@lowerkeyschamber.com


8th Annual Island Grill Charity Dolphin Tournament & Fun Day
June 15 - 17, 2012
Described as a Keys' favorite, This family event benefits Baptist Hospital's Children's Cancer Center. Awards include 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. Second and third prizes are awarded as well as most unusual catch, largest tuna and wahoo and to top male, female and junior anglers.
Contact: Dianne Harbaugh at 305-852-2102 or Jack at 305-664
Email: KeysIslandGrill@bellsouth.net


Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament
June 17 - 22, 2012
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. Tournament proceeds benefit children's charities in the Keys.
Email: GoldCup@aol.com


Key West Gator Club Dolphin Derby
June 22 - 24, 2012
A grand prize of $5,000 cash is to be awarded the boat team with the largest aggregate weight in dolphin during the derby's two fishing days, with teams allowed to enter one qualifying fish each day. Second- and third-place teams will earn $2,500 and $1,000, respectively. Individual anglers can compete for trophies, prizes and cash totaling more than $20,000 in the tournament's divisions for male, female and junior participants.
Contact: John Stuempfig 305-304-7674
Email: wave.whacker@hotmail.com


12th Annual Dolphin & Blackfin Tuna Fun Fishing Tournament
June 23 & 24, 2012
Top prizes of $700, $350 and $200 await individual adult anglers who catch the tournament's three heaviest dolphin, with additional cash awards for the heaviest blackfin tuna and wahoo. Headquartered at Burdine's Waterfront, the challenge is open to adult and junior anglers.
Contact: Brenda Duff 305-743-5317
Email: burdineswaterfront@gmail.com


IFC Junior Dolphin Tournament
July 1, 2012
Just like the "big boys," junior anglers up to age 18 can compete in this event, where the highest combined weight of three fish is to determine the winning team. Trophies are also awarded in various age groups for the largest fish.
Contact: Dianne Harbaugh 305-852-2102 or 305-522-4868
Email: fishing@theislamoradafishinglclub.com


Del Brown Permit Tournament
July 15 - 18, 2012
Anglers fly-fish on the flats in a challenge that honors the late angling pioneer Del Brown, who caught and released more than 500 permit off the Keys. Professionals and guides are allowed to compete as well.
Contact: Justin or Loren Rea 305-744-0903

Drambuie Key West Marlin Tournament
July 18 - 21, 2012
Anglers ply the waters once fished by novelist Ernest Hemingway, vying for $50,000 in guaranteed cash prizes. Held in conjunction with Key West's annual Hemingway Days, the event awards $25,000 to the first-place team. Teams can enter one fun fish (dolphin, tuna, wahoo or released sailfish) per day to add to their point total.
Contact: Jane Greene 305-292-2710


Robert James Sales S.L.A.M. Celebrity Tournament
September 7 - 9, 2012
In the first of three tournaments in the annual Redbone Celebrity Tournament Series, also called The Trilogy, anglers target tarpon, permit and bonefish to achieve the coveted "flats grand slam." The event raises funds for the fight against cystic fibrosis.
Contact: Gary or Susan Ellis at 305-664-2002
Email: susan@redbone.org


Islamorada Invitational Fall Fly Bonefish Tournament
September 19 - 21, 2012
This prestigious three-day test of skill and stealth challenges even the most seasoned of anglers as they take to the flats for this elusive fish. The "Fall Fly," as it's called in elite circles, is a test of skill and stealth and has attracted seasoned anglers like Flip Pallot, Billy Pate, brothers Sandy Moret and Randy Moret as well as acclaimed "Striptease" author and celebrity columnist Carl Hiaasen, a seven-time tournament grand champion. Entry fee is $1,000 per angler, up to 25 maximum participants.
Contact: Rick Orcutt
Email: RickOrcutt@southernwine.com


Marathon International Bonefish Tournament
September 21 - 24, 2012
Believed to be the longest running tournament in the Keys, this challenge awards more than 20 trophies and prizes to participants, including individual and team champions scoring the largest bonefish and permit, the top anglers in fly and grand slam divisions (for the top spin or fly angler who releases the largest bonefish, permit and tarpon "slam"), as well as the tongue-in-cheek "wet pants" champion titles for anglers wading from shore.
Contact: Laural Keating at 305-304-8682
Email: laurelinthekeys@hotmail.com


Take Stock in Children Backcountry Challenge
September 28 - 30, 2012
The annual challenge requires anglers fish for trout and redfish. Proceeds benefit both local Rotary scholarships and Take Stock in Children, a statewide scholarship program for children in seventh through 12th grades. Entry fee is $125 per angler, $70 for young anglers (kids and juniors are combined).
Contact: Mike Shipley 305-852-4087
Email: mike@islandbayresort.com