Skippers Dolphin Tournament Returns to Key Largo May 31-June 2

KEY LARGO, Florida Keys — Captains, mates, ladies, juniors and seniors are all eligible to fish the 10th annual Skippers Dolphin Tournament, one of the Upper Florida Keys’ most popular summer fishing tournaments, set for Friday through Sunday, May 31-June 2.  

Significant prize money is to be shared by the event’s top six teams including $20,000 cash to the overall first-place team, $10,000 for second place and $5,000 for third place. Also to be awarded are cash prizes to the leading daily angler and leading lady, senior and junior anglers; for the first-, second- and third-largest fish caught each day; and for the largest tuna, wahoo and kingfish caught during the tournament. 

A kickoff, final registration party and captains meeting are set for 5-8 p.m. Friday, May 31, at Skippers Dockside Restaurant. Serving as tournament headquarters, the restaurant is located at 528 Caribbean Drive behind the Holiday Inn Key Largo, an IHG Hotel, at mile marker 100.

Fishing begins at 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, followed by a daily dockside party and an awards event after Sunday's weigh-in and party. Anglers must get their fish to the weigh-in by 5 p.m. each day.

Eligible species for the tournament are dolphin fish, tuna, wahoo and kingfish. Only dolphin catches are to be eligible for overall prizes. Each team can weigh in two dolphin per day and the combined weight of a team’s three largest fish is to determine the winners.

Online registration is recommended. Junior anglers must be under age 16 and seniors at least age 65 on the first day of the tournament. 

Nonrefundable early entry fees are $225 per angler on or before April 26. After April 26, registration is $275 per angler until May 30. In-person registration is available Friday, May 31, for $350 per angler. An unlimited number of anglers is allowed per boat.

Event information and registration: skipperstournaments.com