22nd Annual Cheeca Lodge Presidential Sailfish Tournament Set for Jan. 20-22
ISLAMORADA, Florida Keys — The 22nd annual Cheeca Lodge Presidential Sailfish Tournament, the second leg of the three-tournament Florida Keys Gold Cup Championship series, is to take place Friday through Sunday, Jan. 20-22. The event is a qualifying tournament in the World Billfish Series.
The kickoff is set for Friday, Jan. 20, at Cheeca Lodge, mile marker 82 oceanside in Islamorada.
Two days of light-tackle sailfishing get under way Saturday, Jan. 21, and conclude Sunday. The gala awards banquet is set for Sunday evening in the luxurious Bougainvillea Ballroom.
Anglers are to use 12-pound line to wrestle the high-flying sailfish. Only circle hooks can be used.
As in past years, entry fee is $695 for the first angler per boat. Additional anglers’ entry fee is $645. After Jan. 13, angler fees increase by $50. Fees include gift bags with goodies from Vineyard Vines and more, dinner and drink tickets. Additional social tickets purchased in advance are $85 per person per event.
Registration can be completed online, through the mail or at the kick-off party.
Cheeca Lodge is offering a 20 percent discount on all premier and luxury rooms for tournament anglers. For reservations, visit www.cheeca.com or call 800-327-2888 and ask for the group rate.
The Florida Keys Gold Cup Sailfish Championship’s first leg, the Islamorada Sailfish Tournament, ended Dec. 4 after heavy-hitting action and hundreds of released sails. The series’ final leg is Jan. 26 at the IFC Sailfish Tournament, when the Gold Cup Championship awards are to be presented for high-point earners who fished all three events.
Tournament information: http://www.cheeca.com/fishing-a-recreation/tournaments, or Liz Hill at 305-451-5094 or lizhillfirst@bellsouth.net
Florida Keys Fishing information: www.fla-keys.com/fishing
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Key West Harbour King Mackerel Tournament Set for Jan. 20-22
KEY WEST, Florida Keys — Big king mackerel migrate to the waters around Key West each winter, prompting a similar migration of anglers to target the species in the annual Key West Harbour King Mackerel Tournament. The 2012 event is set for Friday through Sunday, Jan. 20-22.
The angler who weighs in the heaviest mackerel, also known as kingfish, is to take home a $10,000 prize. Second- and third-place finishers receive $4,000 and $3,000, respectively, and cash prizes are to be presented through 10th place. Award amounts are based on having a field of 100 boats.
Cash awards also await the top anglers fishing on boats that measure 23 feet or shorter, while cash and prizes are to be presented to top female, junior and senior anglers.
The tournament is headquartered at Key West Harbour Yacht Club, 6000 Peninsular Ave. on Stock Island.
Events kick off Friday, Jan. 20, with a 3-7 p.m. registration at the yacht club. A mandatory captains meeting follows at 7 p.m.
Fishing begins at 7 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, running through 4 p.m. Saturday and 3:30 p.m. Sunday. All boats must return to Key West Harbour for the daily weigh-in.
Awards are to be presented Sunday approximately one hour after the last fish is weighed.
Key Largo Sailfish Challenge Set For Jan. 6-8
KEY LARGO, Florida Keys — Heralding the height of the Florida Keys sailfish season, the 16thannual Key Largo Sailfish Challenge is set for Friday through Sunday, Jan. 6-8.
Characterized by friendly but serious competition, professionalism and camaraderie among anglers who put their 20-pound line skills to task, the event is to be headquartered at Sundowners on the Bay, located at mile marker 103.9 bayside in Key Largo.
Cash prizes and trophies await the tournament’s first-, second- and third-place teams.
The annual boat tournament’s action begins with a 6 p.m. registration Friday at Sundowner’s with cocktails and a kick-off party to follow.
Fishing begins Saturday, Jan. 7, with lines in the water at 8 a.m. Lines-out is to be called at 4 p.m. Sunday’s fishing runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Cocktails and a buffet are set for 6:30 p.m., with the awards ceremony to follow at 7:30 p.m.
Auctions and raffles are to highlight the weekend event, whose proceeds benefit the Coral Shores High School band program.
Up to four anglers per boat can register. Entry fee for the first angler per boat is $525, the second and third pay $475 each, and there is no charge for the fourth.
Baybone Celebrity Tournament Set For Oct. 7-9 in Key Largo
KEY LARGO, Florida Keys — The Baybone Celebrity Tournament, the second in the fall Redbone Celebrity Tournament Series devoted to “catching the cure” for cystic fibrosis, is set for Friday through Sunday, Oct. 7-9, in the waters off Key Largo.
All tournament events are to be headquartered at Dove Creek Lodge, mile marker 94.5 oceanside, with social functions at the adjacent Snapper’s Waterfront Restaurant.
The permit and bonefish tournament opens with registration 4-6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, at Dove Creek Lodge. A cocktail party and kick-off dinner follow at 6 p.m. at Snapper’s, with live auction fundraising action to begin at 8 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 8 and 9, are fishing days for anglers to compete in men’s and women’s overall as well as spin and fly divisions. After a daily continental breakfast at 6:30 a.m., boats can depart at 7 a.m. Check-in is no later than 5 p.m.
Dockside parties where anglers can meet the participating celebrities are scheduled for 3-5 p.m. after each day of fishing. An awards banquet is set for 8 p.m. Sunday.
Celebrities who have fished the prestigious Baybone tournaments in past years include legendary angler Stu Apte, former Denver Bronco and Tampa Bay Buccaneer Mark Cooper and Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Wade Boggs. Boggs is to be celebrity host at this year’s event, according to tournament organizers.
As part of the Baybone weekend, the annual Fly Shop of Miami/Fort Lauderdale Superfly tournament is to be held Friday, Oct. 6. Tournament registration and kick-off dinner are set for 7 p.m. Thursday at Dove Creek Lodge and Snapper’s Restaurant.
Entry fee for the Baybone is $3,000 per angler or $3,500 for a two-person team. The fee includes admission to social functions for each angler and a guest, as well as the guide and a guest.
The Redbone Celebrity Tournament Series culminates with the Redbone Celebrity Tournament slated for Nov. 4-6 in Islamorada.
Tournament information: www.redbone.org
Florida Keys fishing information: www.fla-keys.com/fishing
Key Largo visitor information: www.fla-keys.com/keylargo or 800-822-1088
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