Angling Teams to Test Skills June 7-9 in Lower Keys Dolphin Tournament

BIG PINE KEY, Florida Keys — Dolphin fish are the target and teams can vie for more than $35,000 in cash and prizes during the 31st annual Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce Dolphin Tournament. 

The angling challenge is scheduled Friday through Sunday, June 7-9. Tournament events are to be headquartered at the Sugarloaf Key/Key West KOA Resort, located at 251 State Road 939 off the Florida Keys Overseas Highway at mile marker 20. 

The boat team that scores the tournament’s largest dolphin fish can take home a $7,500 first-place cash award and trophy. If the winning dolphin weighs over 50 pounds, the angler who catches it earns an added premium of $20,000. 

Cash prizes and trophies also await the second- through fourth-place teams. Prize amounts are based on a minimum field of 35 registered boats. 

Anglers on the first 50 boat teams to register are eligible for the $20,000 payout. 

Awards in the youth division, for anglers age 15 and under, include prizes and trophies through third place. 

The tournament kicks off at 5 p.m. Friday, June 7, with a registration party featuring appetizers and a cash bar at the Sugarloaf Key KOA. A mandatory captains meeting is planned for 7 p.m. 

Angling action begins at 7 a.m. the next two days. 

Saturday’s weigh-in is scheduled to start at 4 p.m. and end at 6 p.m. at the KOA.

Sunday’s fishing is to conclude with a 3-5 p.m. weigh-in at the KOA. A 4-6 p.m. social gathering and 6 p.m. dinner and awards ceremony round out the day’s events.

Tournament entry fees, covering up to six anglers per boat, are $500 per boat if received no later than May 31 and $550 per boat after that date. The fee also includes four passes for Sunday’s awards dinner. Additional social passes for the awards dinner are $25 per person.

Tournament proceeds benefit the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce and its programs.

Event information and registration: lowerkeyschamber.com/chamber-events/