Florida Keys Fishing Tournament Highlights for 2023
The 125-mile-long arc of islands that comprises the Florida Keys creates one of the most unique fishing environments in the world, with Florida Bay on the inner curve, referred to locally as the “backcountry” and the deep-sea of the Atlantic Ocean on the outer curve.
The Keys boast more sport-fishing world records than any other angling destination on the planet, according to the International Game Fish Association. In the shallow waters of the backcountry, anglers can encounter five of the most sought-after game fish: bonefish, tarpon, permit, redfish (red drum) and snook. While some of the greatest sport fish in the world can be found in the deeper waters offshore: blue and white marlin, sailfish, and swordfish.
Highlights of the 2023 tournament season include:
1 December 22 to 31 July 23: Key West Fishing Tournament, Key West. More than 40 species of fish are targeted during the multi-month tournament, with divisions for men, women, junior anglers (ages 10 to 15) and Pee Wees (under 10 years old). All participating anglers receive certificates noting their catches and qualify for a variety of prizes. Visit keywestfishingtournament.com.
4-6 July: Billy Knowles Memorial Poor Boys Tarpon Fly Tournament, Islamorada. A fun tarpon-on-fly tournament open to all anglers. The team with the most releases of tarpon 4-feet and longer wins. Boats can leave from any dock from Harry Harris Park to Duck Key. Tournament events are held at the Lorelei Restaurant and Marina in Islamorada. Visit poorboys.info.
16-19 July: Del Brown Permit Tournament, Sugarloaf Key. Anglers fly fish on the flats in a challenge that honours 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. Visit delbrown.com.
12-22 July: Key West Marlin Tournament, Key West. 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 festival, the event awards $25,000 to the first-place team. Teams can enter one fun fish (dolphin fish, tuna, wahoo or released sailfish) per day to add to their point total. Registration is capped at 75 boats. Visit keywestmarlin.com.
15-17 September: Herman Lucerne Memorial Backcountry Fishing Championship, Islamorada. Named after the man known affectionately as “Mr. Everglades,” the event is headquartered at the Islander Resort. Anglers target fish only in the boundaries of Everglades National Park, fishing areas that Lucerne favoured, and are challenged to catch at least one tarpon, redfish, snook, sea trout, snapper, bonefish and black drum or bass with the goal being to catch all seven species. Awards are given in 22 individual categories. Visit hermanlucernememorial.com.
15-18 October: IWFA Islamorada Backcountry Tournament, Islamorada. One of the International Women’s Fishing Association’s longest standing and most popular tournament events, the IWFA event is based each year at the Islamorada Fishing Club. Female anglers target species including bonefish, snook, tarpon, permit, redfish, spotted sea trout and more in the backcountry waters of Everglades National Park. Visit iwfa.org.
27-28 October: Fall Backcountry Fly Championship, Islamorada. Tournament anglers compete to catch the most inches of snook and redfish on fly in a challenge where 1inch equals one point. Awards are to be given to the grand champion, the anglers who catch the largest snook and redfish, and the “King of the Backcountry” series grand champion, among others. Visit BFCtournament.com.
9-11 November: Cheeca Lodge & Spa All-American Backcountry Tournament, Islamorada. Anglers compete for prizes and trophies in this annual all-release event targeting snook, redfish, bonefish, tarpon and permit. The tournament was inspired by George H. W. Bush, the 41st U.S. president, and honours war heroes in an esteemed competition held over Veterans Day weekend. Proceeds benefit the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust. Visit cheeca.com/allamerican.
16-18 November: Sugarloaf Showdown, Sugarloaf Key. Angling teams can vie for victory by targeting bonefish, permit and barracuda in support of the Florida Keys Guides Trust Foundation during the annual Sugarloaf Showdown. Visit sugarloafshowdown.com.
30 November to 3 December: Islamorada Sailfish Tournament, Islamorada. The first leg of the Florida Keys Gold Cup Championship trifecta is the only tournament in the series to offer a junior division for anglers aged 16 and younger. Unlimited anglers are allowed per vessel. Visit islamoradasailfishtournament.com.
