The Best of South Florida's offshore fishing tournaments
5/24/2005 6:57:00 PM by CAPT. RICK WORLEY
Fishing tournaments are a great
way for anglers to show off
their best. Tournaments pit
teams against each other for bragging
rights and thousands of dollars in
cash and prizes.
But, which ones do you fish?
Where are the good tournaments?
Well, thats why Wave decided to put
together a no-muss no-fuss list of The
Best of South Floridas Offshore
Fishing Tournaments. This guide
breaks down the tournaments into
their areas of excellence. We hope it
will help direct you to where you
want to go to compete.
BEST PARTY
Miami-Dade County: The Grove
SLAM! The Grove Slam is billed as
Floridas Funnest Fishing
Tournament. Tournament organizers
make no qualms about the event.
Its a one-day fishing party says
Tony Albelo, tournament director.
Well its actually two days with a
Kickoff Luau on Thursday, then a
day of rest and recovery, then fishing
on Saturday. Every day there are
open bars provided by Budweiser
and Bacardi plus food from Hard
Rock Café. The final exclamation
point is the Miss Hotfish Bikini contest
which has become a crowd
favorite. Entry fee: $300/team (4)
www.groveslam.com; 305-461-2700
Broward County: The Pompano
Beach Rodeo The Rodeo has been around for 39
years. For the past few years, it has
consistently attracted more than 200
boats and hundreds of anglers. With
sponsors like Carrabbas and Miller,
the kickoff bash and auction is a nomiss
event. Last year, the tournament
awarded more than $100,000 in cash
and prizes. Entry fee: $195/angler
www.pompanofishingrodeo.com;
954-942-4513
Monroe County (Florida Keys):
Coconuts Dolphin Tournament Anyone familiar with the Keys is
familiar with Coconuts restaurant
and bar. This Keys landmark will
host the 17th annual tournament and
parties. Coconuts is normally a great
place to party, but when you compile
the tournament atmosphere and the
location, the parties get a little out of
hand. Last year they awarded more
than $50,000 in cash and prizes
including a two-year lease on a new
Honda. Entry fee: $225/angler
www.coconutsrestaurant.com; 305-
453-9794
BEST BOAT OWNERS
TOURNAMENT
Miami-Dade County: Sea Vee
Owners Tournament This boat builder invites all of its
owners to compete for more than
$10,000 in cash prizes. In 2004 more
than 50 boats competed for the cash.
Open bars, free food, and plenty of
Sea Vee paraphernalia will be given
away at this 6th annual event. Entry
fee: $225/angler
www.seaveeboats.com; 305-759-6419
Broward County: Dusky Owners
Tournament The oldest tournament in this category,
the Dusky Owners
Tournament has been run for more
than 40 years. Owners from across
the country make the pilgrimage to
Fort Lauderdale for the yearly event.
More than 100 boats compete for
prizes and bragging rights in this
family-oriented event. Entry fee:
$40/angler
www.dusky.com; 954-922-8890
Monroe County (Florida Keys):
Hydra-Sport Owners Tournament. This action packed dolphin tournament
combines it all: camaraderie
of fellow boat owners, competitive
fishing, drinking, partying and the
Florida Keys. Last year 89 boats competed
for more than $15,000 in cash
and prizes. Entry fee: $150/team (4)
www.hydrasportsfishing.com; 305-
984-3000
BEST PRIZES
Miami-Dade County: The After-
School All-Stars Dolphin
Challenge The best prize among all the tournaments
reviewed is, hands down,
almost unbelievable. So unbelievable
in fact, that in 2004 many frequent
tournament anglers reported they did
not participate in the low entry, oneday
tournament because they
thought it was only for a years lease
or that they had to break some record
to win the prize.
Just what is the prize? How do the
keys to your very own $59,000,
Hummer H2 sound? It will come in
your choice of colors of course. Other
prizes awarded total $20,000.
Interested? Sign up early. This year
competition will be limited to 200
entries. Entry fee: $600/team (4)
www.all-star-challenge.com; 305-576-
4026
Monroe County (Florida Keys):
World Sailfish Championships This is the only tournament to
make our list twice. The reason?
$100,000. That is the guaranteed payout
for 1st place. There are dozens of
other prizes and ways to win. Entry
fee: $4,200/team (6)
www.worldsailfish.com; 866-482-7529
BEST SERIES
Miami-Dade County: Libertad
Trophy The Libertad is comprised of three
sailfish tournaments including the
Bob Lewis Billfish Challenge, the
Miami Billfish, and the Billfish
Masters. The team recording the most
sailfish releases wins $10,000. Entry
fee: Free
www.miamibeachmarina.com/fishing.
htm, (305) 673-6000
Broward County: Pompano Beach
Saltwater Circuit The series is entering its 7th year
and it continues to grow. More than
400 teams participated last year as
they awarded a total of $300,000 in
cash and prizes throughout the series.
The three legs are the Pompano
Beach Saltwater Slam, the Pompano
Beach Saltwater Shootout, and the
Pompano Beach Saltwater
Showdown. Entry fee for the series is
free; you just need to fish all three
tournaments.
www.bluewatermovements.com; 954-725-4010
BEST SAILFISH TOURNAMENTS
Miami-Dade County: The Miami
Billfish Tournament Now in its 23rd year the Miami
Billfish Tournament is one of the most
popular tournaments in South
Florida. From its beautiful home port
of Miami Beach Marina, the Miami
Billfish hosts a whos who among the
fishing community and its no wonder
why. In 2004, 100 boats signed up
to compete for the grand prize and
they were not disappointed. The
Miami Billfish paid out more than
$150,000.00 in cash and prizes. Entry
fee: $ 300/angler
April 7-10, 2005,
www.miamibillfish.com, 305-598-2525
Broward County: The Fort
Lauderdale Billfish Tournament The Fort Lauderdale Billfish is the
oldest tournament in the sailfish category.
It was started 39 years ago by a
group of charter captains and is now
one of the most respected events in
South Florida. It continuously champions
conservation issues and it was
the first sailfish tournament to
employ a circle hook only format. In
2004, 84 boats competed for more
than $150,000 in cash and prizes.
Entry fee: $3,000-$3,500/team (4)
www.billfishtournament.com; 954-
523-1004
Monroe County (Florida Keys):
World Sailfish Championships The World Sailfish Championship
takes place in scenic Key West. In
addition to all the great fishing, there
are ancillary events throughout Key
West such as concerts, live and silent
auctions, and VIP dinners with
celebrities. Entries limited to the first
110 boats. Entry fee: $4,200/team (6)
www.worldsailfish.com; 866-482-7529
BEST FREE TOURNAMENT
Miami-Dade County, Broward,
Monroe (Florida Keys): The
Metropolitan South Florida
Fishing Tournament, The Met The reason that The Met won all
three categories is that this tournament
spans all three counties. In fact,
The Met spans 13 counties in South
Florida on both coasts. It has been a
free tournament for 70 years, since
1935. More than half a million anglers
have competed in The Met over the
years and can account for dozens of
IGFAand World Records. Entry fee:
Free
www.met-fish.org; 305-233-5535
May 12-14
May 20-23
May TBA
April TBA
June TBA
August TBA
May 19-21
April 12-16
March-April
April-August
April 7-10
November 9-13
April 12-16
December 2004 May 2005