S.L.A.M. Celebrity Tournament Set for Sept. 6-8 in Key West

KEY WEST, Fla. — Anglers can target the “big three” game fish of the flats in the annual Robert-James Sales S.L.A.M. Fishing Tournament, scheduled Friday through Sunday, Sept. 6-8

The catch-and-release event pits participating anglers against tarpon, permit and bonefish. Releasing all three species on the same day is called a “flats grand slam.”

The S.L.A.M. is the first in an annual Florida Keys autumn tournament series that benefits the fight against cystic fibrosis, a life-threatening chronic lung disease that is the United States’ leading genetic killer of children and young adults.

The series is supported by celebrities who often take part alongside other registered anglers. Celebrity competitors include Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Wade Boggs and former Denver Broncos football player Mark Cooper.

Anglers and teams earn points by catching and releasing fish in the tournament’s fly, spin/plug or general/bait categories. Awards are based on the most points accumulated representing all species of a slam.

Preceding the main event is The Angling Company Key West Superfly, a one-day, one-fly tournament based at Hurricane Hole Restaurant & Marina, mile marker 4.5 oceanside. Fishing is scheduled Friday, Sept. 6.

Registration for the S.L.A.M. is slated for 5:30 p.m. Friday at the DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Hotel Grand Key, 3990 S. Roosevelt Blvd., followed by a kick-off reception, silent auction, rules meeting and live auction.

Fishing in the S.L.A.M. is set for 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 7 and 8. A dockside party for anglers and celebrities is scheduled 3-5 p.m. Saturday at Hurricane Hole, while a dockside awards party is planned for 4-6 p.m. Sunday.

Entry for the S.L.A.M., which includes two days’ charter fees with a professional guide, is $3,700 for a two-angler team. The Superfly entry fee is $350 per angler who also fishes the S.L.A.M. or $500 per angler who only fishes the Superfly.

The Redbone series continues Nov. 1-3 with the Robert-James Sales Redbone Tournament. In addition, the Robert-James Sales Sunrise/Sunset Tarpon Tournament is to take place April 24-26, 2020. Both are held in the waters off Islamorada in the Upper Keys.

Tournament information and registration: redbone.org or 305-664-2002

Key West visitor information: fla-keys.com/keywest or 1-800-LAST-KEY

Lower Keys visitor information: fla-keys.com/lower-keys or 1-800-872-3722

Florida Keys fishing information: fla-keys.com/fishing