Sailfish Challenge (Bluewater Movements)
February • Pompano Beach, FL
Multi-inlet, multi-port sailfish competition that’s a winter staple of South Florida’s offshore scene.
SOUTHEAST FLORIDA FISHING EVENTS & TOURNAMENTS
Welcome to the sport-fishing epicenter of the Atlantic seaboard. Stretching from Jupiter Inlet to Biscayne Bay, Southeast Florida offers a year-round parade of blue-water billfish shoot-outs, high-stakes mahi & wahoo classics, and world-record freshwater derbies on Lake Okeechobee and Miami’s peacock-bass canals. If you measure vacations by drag screams and six-figure purses, this is your playground.
Great Florida Fishing aggregates the premier tournaments that attract elite anglers, mega-yachts, and televised coverage—along with boutique charity events where first-time competitors can sample the scene. Insider intel from tournament committees, IGFA captains, and regional biologists ensures you’re dialed in to peak migration windows, lunar tide advantages, and those coveted early-entry VIP slots.
WHY SOUTHEAST FLORIDA?
- Sailfish Alley – Stuart, Palm Beach & Fort Lauderdale host the planet’s most prolific winter sailfish bite.
- Tournament Infrastructure – superyacht-ready marinas, five-star waterfront resorts, and private-jet FBOs minutes from the docks.
- Diverse Species Slate – daytime swordfish, summertime mahi/blackfin, fall mullet-run snook & tarpon, plus year-round trophy bass.
- Quick Turnarounds – pre-tournament practice grounds lie within sight of the skyline—ideal for busy executives.
SOUTHEAST FLORIDA FISHING TOURNAMENTS
| Tournament / Event | City | 2026 Date(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Lenny Schelin Jr. Memorial Tournament | Fort Pierce | January 2-11, 2026 |
| Islamorada Fishing Club Sailfish Tournament | Islamorada | January 20-21, 2026 |
| Cheeca Lodge Presidential Sailfish Tournament | Islamorada | January 23-24, 2026 |
| Fish for Holly Sailfish Tournament | Islamorada | January 9-10, 2026 |
| Islamorada Sailfly Tournament | Islamorada | January 6-8, 2026 |
| Women’s Sailfish Tournament | Islamorada | January 30-February 1, 2026 |
| Bartenders Sailfish Open | Islamorada | February 1-2, 2026 |
| Poor Girls Sailfish Tournament | Islamorada | February 3-4, 2026 |
| Al Flutie Over the Hill Tournament | Islamorada | February 10-11, 2026 |
| Free Keys Kids Sailfish Tournament | Islamorada | February 13-14, 2026 |
| Jimmy Johnson’s Quest for the Ring | Key West | March 3-7, 2026 |
| March Merkin Permit Tournament | Key West | March 9-12, 2026 |
| Key West Sailfish Tournament | Key West | March 26-28, 2026 |
| Marathon Premier Sailfish Tournament | Marathon | April 17-18, 2026 |
| Marathon Kick Off Event | Marathon | April 16, 2026 |
| 2026 IFC Captain's Cup Dolphin Tournament | Islamorada | June 25, 2026 |
| Fall Backcountry Fly Championship Series | Islamorada | October 2-3, 2026 |
| Silver Sailfish Derby | West Palm Beach | Jan. 7-10, 2026 |
| Fish For Holly | Islamorada | Jan. 9-10, 2026 |
| Operation Sailfish | West Palm Beach | Jan. 14-18, 2026 |
| Cheeca Lodge Presidential Sailfish Tournament | Islamorada | Jan. 17-19, 2026 |
| IFC Captain’s Cup Sailfish Tournament | Islamorada | Jan. 20-21, 2026 |
| Buccaneer Cup Sailfish Tournament | West Palm Beach | Jan. 20-24, 2026 |
| Gold Cup | Palm Beach | Jan. 27-31, 2026 |
| Cuda Bowl | Summerland Key | Feb. 5-7, 2026 |
| Miami Billfish Tournament of Champions | Miami Beach | Feb. 5-7, 2026 |
| The Cove Billfish Tournament | Deerfield Beach | Feb. 5-7, 2026 |
| Sailfish Challenge | Pompano Beach | Feb. 18-22, 2026 |
| Jupiter Billfish Classic | Jupiter | Feb. 24-28, 2026 |
| Jimmy Johnson’s Quest for the Ring | Hollywood | March 3-6, 2026 |
| March Merkin Permit Tournament | Key West | March 9-12, 2026 |
| Key West Sailfish Tournament | Key West | March 26-28, 2026 |
| Spanish Fly Shark Tournament | Key West | April 2-4, 2026 |
| Final Sail | Miami | April 8-11, 2026 |
| Viking Key West Challenge | Key West | April 8-12, 2026 |
March 2026
Jimmy Johnson’s “Quest for the Ring” Championship Fishing Week
Mar. 3-7 • Key Largo (Hollywood Series Listing: March)
Prestigious week anchored by a two-day Billfish Championship with a guaranteed $1M+ purse and Super Bowl–style rings, plus a sportfish tournament and Celebrity Pro-Am.
March Merkin Invitational Permit Tournament
Mar. 9-12 • Key West & the Lower Keys, FL
Charity, fly-only permit tournament based at Oceans Edge Resort & Marina on Stock Island; all-release format for elite titles.
Key West Sailfish Tournament
TBA • Key West, FL
Two-day shootout brings world-class teams to battle for top leaderboard spots and prize money.
April 2026
Spanish Fly Shark Tournament
Apr. 2-4 • Key West, FL
tHIRD-annual catch-and-release event targeting bull sharks with inshore and offshore divisions; focused on research and televised by Outdoor America.
Marathon Premier Sailfish Tournament
Apr. 17-18 • Marathon, FL
Boat tournament (release format) benefiting Mission Fishin’ and local charities including Marathon Special Olympics; awards for top boats and top male, female, and junior anglers.
Tarponian Tournament
TBA • Marathon, FL
High-energy, three-evening tarpon event where teams rotate captains and fish different bridge channels to keep things fair and fast.
FINAL SAIL (Bluewater Movements)
April 8-11, 2026 • Miami Beach, FL
Championship leg of South Florida’s sailfish series with top teams converging on Miami Beach for the finale.
THE DE MOYA FOUNDATION Fishing Classic
TBA • Miami, FL
Foundation-hosted tournament supporting employment and inclusion initiatives; Miami-based competitive and charitable angling event.
May 2026
Tom Thumb Marathon Bull & Cow Dolphin Tournament
May 1-3, 2026 • Marathon, FL
Cash and prizes (up to $25,000) for top combined bull and cow dolphin; additional awards for largest dolphin, wahoo, tuna, and tripletail.
Nick Sheahan Dolphin Rodeo
May 1-3, 2026 • Islamorada, FL
Scholarship-fund tournament honoring Nick Sheahan; cash prizes plus $25,000 if a dolphin beats the state record. Hosted at Tavernier Creek Marina.
Bob Traa Faro Blanco Invitational Tarpon Tournament
TBA • Marathon, FL
Teams (2–4 anglers) fish three nights with different captains across Bahia Honda, Long Key, and Seven Mile bridges; benefits Ronald McDonald House.
Mother’s Day Dolphin Tournament “Fish for a Cause”
TBA • Marathon, FL
One-day mahi event with prizes across pro, weekend warrior, ladies, and juniors; benefits Habitat for Humanity of the Middle Keys.
Ladies Let’s Go Fishing — Screamin’ Reels Tournament
TBA • Islamorada, FL
Novice-friendly weekend blending instruction and fun competition. Charter a pro boat or fish your own; prizes for offshore and inshore catches.
Golden Fly Tarpon Tournament
TBA • Islamorada, FL
Invitation-only, three-day fly event pairing top anglers and guides; winners receive custom artwork and premium gear.
Skippers Dolphin Tournament
TBA • Key Largo, FL
Over $60,000 in cash prizes with $20,000 for first place; awards to top six teams plus top lady and junior anglers. HQ at Skippers Dockside.
Saltwater Shootout (Bluewater Movements)
May • Pompano Beach, FL
First leg of the PBSC series, drawing elite South Florida teams to compete for kingfish, dolphin, wahoo, tuna, and more.
June 2026
Don Hawley Invitational Tarpon Fly Tournament
Jun. 8-12, 2026 • Islamorada, FL
Five-day, 12-lb tippet fly tarpon classic named for conservationist Don Hawley; benefits Guides Trust Foundation.
Ladies Dolphin Tournament (Elks Lodge)
TBA • Tavernier, FL
Female angler teams compete for highest aggregate weight of three dolphin; cash and prize awards through third place.
Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce Dolphin Tournament
TBA • Big Pine Key & the Lower Keys, FL
Popular annual dolphin event with $35,000+ in cash and awards, including $20,000 for a fish over 50 lbs; open, ladies, and youth divisions.
Ladies Tarpon Fly Tournament
TBA • Islamorada, FL
Historic all-release, fly-fishing invitational during peak tarpon migration, celebrating women in saltwater fly fishing.
Father’s Day Dolphin Derby
June 20, 2026 • Marathon, FL
Heaviest dolphin takes top adult prizes with payouts through four places.
Key West Gator Club Dolphin Derby
TBA • Key West, FL
$5,000 to the heaviest dolphin; prizes through fifth plus top lady and junior. Proceeds benefit UF scholarships for Key West HS grads.
Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament
TBA • Islamorada, FL
Invitation-only “Wimbledon of tarpon fishing,” all-release, limited to 25 anglers; benefits Guides Trust Foundation.
UM Sports Hall of Fame Celebrity Fishing Tournament
TBA • Islamorada, FL
Dolphin-focused charity tournament where anglers fish alongside UM sports celebrities; supports the UM Sports Hall of Fame and other charities.
VFW Fishing Tournament
TBA • Key West, FL
Family-friendly event awarding $15,000+ in cash and prizes, including $5,000 for the heaviest dolphin; benefits disabled and needy veterans in Monroe County.
IFC Captain’s Cup Dolphin Tournament
TBA • Islamorada, FL
Teams up to four anglers; total combined weight of three dolphin determines winners. First prize can reach $25,000 with 25 boats registered.
Florida Keys PBA Dolphin Tournament
TBA • Stock Island, FL
Targets dolphin with cash awards for top overall, junior, female, and PBA member anglers. Proceeds support Autism Society of the Keys and the Love Fund Inc.
July 2026
Billy Knowles Memorial Poor Boys Tarpon Fly Tournament
TBA • Islamorada, FL
Open tarpon-on-fly event; most releases of tarpon 4 ft+ wins. Hosted at Lorelei Restaurant & Cabana Bar.
Del Brown Invitational Permit Tournament
TBA • Sugarloaf Key, FL
Legendary fly tournament honoring Del Brown; pros and guides can compete as anglers on Lower Keys flats.
Key West Marlin Tournament
TBA • Key West, FL
$50,000 in cash prizes; teams earn points for billfish and “fun fish.” Coincides with Hemingway Days and capped at 75 entries.
August 2026
Saltwater Showdown (Bluewater Movements)
TBA • Pompano Beach, FL
Final leg of the PBSC summer series with top South Florida teams competing off Broward’s coast.
Bartenders Dolphin Tournament
TBA • Layton, FL
One-day dolphin tournament for bartenders and restaurant employees; kick-off and weigh-in at Florida Boy (MM 68).
Chasentailz KDW
TBA • Jupiter, FL
High-energy kingfish-dolphin-wahoo event drawing top Palm Beach-area teams with big-payout potential.
September 2026
CCA Florida STAR — Final Day
TBA • Statewide (Florida)
Final day of CCA Florida’s summer-long inshore conservation tournament with numerous divisions and prizes.
St. Pete Open Spearfishing Tournament
TBA • St. Petersburg, FL
One of the world’s largest spearfishing tournaments, attracting divers from across the region.
Herman Lucerne Memorial Backcountry Fishing Championship
TBA • Islamorada, FL
Everglades National Park backcountry challenge to catch seven species (tarpon, redfish, snook, trout, snapper, bonefish, black drum/bass). Awards at Islander Resort.
Take Stock in Children Backcountry Challenge
TBA • Key Largo, FL
Rotary Club event awarding trophies for trout, snook, and redfish. 24/7 fishing window and community auction; supports scholarships for Upper Keys students.
October 2026
IGFA Permit Invitational
October • Key West, FL
Elite, conservation-minded permit tournament hosted by IGFA in the Lower Keys.
Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing! Florida Keys Saltwater Seminar & Fishing Fever Tournament
Oct. 17–19 • Islamorada, FL
Award-winning, women-focused seminar with optional charter days and a fun inshore/offshore tournament; 9,000+ alumnae.
Casting for Cats Backcountry Tournament
Oct. 17–18 • Islamorada, FL
Co-ed and women’s divisions scoring bonefish, permit, tarpon, snook, and redfish (plus points for ladyfish, sharks, jacks, and trout). Major fundraiser for feline welfare in the Upper Keys.
November 2026
Fall Backcountry Fly Championship
Oct. 31–Nov. 1 • Islamorada, FL
Fly anglers rack up inches of snook and redfish toward grand champion, largest fish awards, and “King of the Backcountry” series honors.
Cheeca Lodge & Spa All-American Backcountry Tournament
Nov. 13–15 • Islamorada, FL
Veterans Day weekend, all-release backcountry event targeting snook, redfish, bonefish, tarpon, and permit; inspired by President George H. W. Bush and benefits Bonefish & Tarpon Trust.
Sugarloaf Showdown
Nov. 13–15 • Sugarloaf Key, FL
Catch-and-release tournament targeting bonefish, permit, and barracuda; presented by Lower Keys Guides Association to support the Florida Keys Guides Trust Foundation.
2nd Biennial Shallow Sport & SCB Florida Owners Tournament presented by Suzuki Marine
Nov. 14–15 • Bud n’ Mary’s Marina in Islamorada, Florida
We invite all of our owners to join us in paradise for a fun, laid-back weekend with a catch/photo/release style tournament, good food, evening cocktail social, picturesque views, music, in-water demos, fun games, prizes and most importantly camaraderie!
December 2026
Islamorada Sailfish Tournament
Dec. 5–7 • Islamorada, FL
Opening leg of the Florida Keys Gold Cup Championship; only event in the series with a junior division (16 and under). Unlimited anglers per boat.
Islamorada Junior Sailfish Tournament
Dec. 12–14 • Islamorada, FL
The Keys’ oldest sailfish tournament for kids (age 16 and under), celebrating 61 years in 2025.
PLAN YOUR ELITE ANGLING ESCAPE
Browse the full lineup, sync key dates to your travel calendar, and coordinate VIP charters, slip reservations, and five-star lodging before slots vanish. Click below to view the detailed Southeast Florida schedule and start curating an unforgettable, trophy-laden itinerary.
Pro Tip: Southeast Florida’s marquee sailfish tournaments often cap entry at 50–80 boats. Lock in your team and lodging six-plus months ahead for the smoothest experience.
GREAT FLORIDA FISHING
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