Islamorada Sailfish Tournament to Begin Florida Keys Gold Cup Sailfish Championship

ISLAMORADA, Florida Keys — For over 50 years, the Islamorada Sailfish Tournament has opened the renowned triple-crown Florida Keys Gold Cup Sailfish Championship series. This year’s event dates are Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 29 through Dec. 2.
An unlimited number of anglers per vessel can participate in the all-release tournament, a primary fundraiser for the Islamorada Charter Boat Association.
Social events are to be headquartered at the Whale Harbor Inn and Marina complex at mile marker 83 in Islamorada, beginning with pre-registration, cocktails and a kick-off gala Thursday, Nov. 29.
Fishing is scheduled 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2, followed by an awards banquet and raffle.
Entry fees received by Nov. 1 are $650 for the first angler fishing aboard a vessel and $550 for each additional angler. Fees after Nov. 1 are $750 and $650, respectively. The junior angler entry fee is $250 regardless of entry date.
Additional optional categories offer boat teams more opportunities to win prize monies. They include Day by Day, Overall Entry, Grand Puba, Go Big and a Fun Fish entry. Additional entry fees are elective and are not required to enter the tournament, according to organizers.
For available accommodations in the area, inquire with a tournament charter boat captain or contact the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce at 305-664-4503.
Subsequent fishing events in the Gold Cup Series include the Islamorada Fishing Club Sailfish Tournament Jan. 23-24, 2019, and the Cheeca Lodge Presidential Sailfish Tournament Jan. 25-27, when the series culminates and an overall Gold Cup Series champion is crowned.
Information and registration: islamoradasailfishtournament.com/ or Dianne Harbaugh at 305-522-4868
Islamorada visitor information: fla-keys.com/islamorada or 1-800-FAB-KEYS
Florida Keys fishing information: fla-keys.com/fishing
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