Southeast Florida is a haven for fishing enthusiasts, offering a diverse array of opportunities to test your angling skills in both freshwater and saltwater environments. From pristine lakes and winding rivers to the vibrant Atlantic Ocean, this region boasts an impressive range of fishing tournaments that cater to all levels of expertise and preferences. Whether you're chasing trophy bass in a serene freshwater setting or battling powerful saltwater species offshore, Southeast Florida's fishing tournaments provide an exciting and competitive platform to reel in remarkable catches while savoring the natural beauty of the Sunshine State's waters.
2024 Fishing Tournaments
Here's a list of top fishing tournaments in Southeast Florida for 2024, including their dates, locations, a brief overview, and URLs for more information:
October 2024
IGFA Permit Invitational
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December 2024
The Flamingo Fishing Classic benefiting the Jake Owen FoundationNovember 22-24, 2024Vero Beach, FLThe Flamingo Fishing Classic benefiting the Jake Owen Foundation will be held at Riverside Café in December. Lines in the water at 6am. The registration fee of $150 includes two anglers per boat. There is a cost of $50 for each additional angler beyond two. Cash prizes will be awarded in two categories: Snook, Trout, Red Fish - prizes awarded for length Sheephead, Jack Crevalle, Snapper - prizes awarded for weight Measurement and weights will be discussed at a MANDATORY Captains meeting on December 9, 2023, 4:00pm – 7:00pm at Riverside Cafe. Prizes are as follows 1st Place: $500 2nd Place: $250 3rd Place: $100 Raffle items with all proceeds benefiting the Jake Owen Foundation.LINK |
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2024 Islamorada Sailfish TournamentDate: December 6-8, 2024 Location: Whale Harbor House Marina, Islamorada, FL Description: The tournament is the primary fundraiser for the Islamorada Charter Boat Association, a 501-c-3 organization. Last year over $80,000 in cash was paid to the winners with guaranteed prize money in 2023. LINK |
2025 Fishing Tournaments
January 2025
June 26-27, 2024IFC Captain's Cup Sailfish Tournament | Islamorada, FloridaThe IFC Captain's Cup Sailfish Tournament, hosted by the Islamorada Fishing Club in the Florida Keys, is a prestigious fishing event and part of the Florida Keys Gold Cup Sailfish Championship series. It is a winner-take-all competition focused on sailfish releases, emphasizing both skill and conservation. The event is highly competitive, drawing elite anglers who compete in a single-day format to release the most sailfish within the tournament rules. The tournament also serves as a major social and community event for the club, which has a long history of promoting conservation, recreational fishing, and community bonding since its founding in 1950. EVENT INFO |
February 2025
TBD34th Annual Swamp Guides Fishing Tournament | Islamorada, FLThis all-release event for bonefish, redfish and snook takes place in the shallow waters of the Florida Keys and the saltwater fringes of the Everglades. |
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TBDSAILFISH CHALLENGE | Pompano Beach, FloridaThat’s right. With 3 checkpoints from Government Cut in Miami to Hillsboro Inlet in Pompano Beach and Lakeworth Inlet in West Palm, flexibility is the name of the game in the Sailfish Challenge, Leg 2 of the Quest for the Crest Series. If the bite shifts north or south, this signature format gives teams the opportunity to get to the fish and still make check-in at the end of the day! EVENT INFO |
March 2025
TBDJimmy Johnson’s QUEST FOR THE RING™ Championship Fishing Week - Hollywood, FloridaJimmy’s Billfish Competition is heating up and will feature the top anglers in the country as they hit the waters for the largest guaranteed purse in sportfish history and the largest purse in Florida tournament history. Teams will be fishing for a guaranteed 7 FIGURE PURSE in this highly competitive tournament. In its 10 year history, this tournament has awarded almost $8,500,000 and 10 Championship Rings as the anglers join in the keys for this grueling competition. There are Catch & Release categories, a meat fish optional, and overall awards. A little bit for everyone. |
April 2025
April 9-12, 2025FINAL SAIL | Miami Beach, FloridaHosted in South Florida’s "magic city", Final Sail is the culminating leg of the Quest for the Crest Sailfish Series. With a world title on the line, teams will be looking to make a little magic of their own off Miami Beach, FL on April 10-13, 2024. Landing in Miami on the peak of sailfish season, red hot sailfishing is the norm for Final Sail teams. EVENT INFO |
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2025:TBDKey West Sailfish Tournament - Key West, FloridaThe 2024 inaugural KeyWest Sailfish Tournament presented by Patron Tequila will be south Florida’s destination Sailfish Tournament. World-class teams will converge on the sparkling blue waters of Key West and the lower Keys for a two day shoot out style tournament, battling it out for the top of the leaderboard and prize money bringing teams from all over Florida and beyond, the KeyWest Sailfish Tournament will be the tournament destination on any avid an angler’s calendar. |
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2025: TBDTHE DE MOYA FOUNDATION FISHING CLASSIC | Miami, FloridaThe de Moya Foundation is thrilled to announce their inaugural Fundraising Fishing Tournament set to cast off on April 13th at the beautiful Shake a Leg Miami marina, located at 2620 S Bayshore Drive. This event welcomes early risers with lines in the water at 7 am sharp. Designed as both a competitive and fun outing, it aims to bring together the community in support of young adults with unique abilities. The tournament not only offers a day out on the water but also the chance to make a significant impact in the lives of those with Autism, Down syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Fragile X and Intellectual Disability. Your support allows The de Moya Foundation to continue creating and maintaining employment throughout South Florida, for individuals that want and can work, they just need the opportunity and proper support. EVENT INFO |
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April 25-26, 2025MARATHON PREMIER SAILFISH TOURNAMENT - Marathon, FloridaMarathon Keys Premier Sailfish Tournament is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization registered by Katie Lewis in 2021. Proceeds from the 1st annual tournament will be donated to a wonderful charity named Mission Fishin’. |
May 2025
May 2-4, 2025TOM THUMB BULL & COW DOLPHIN TOURNAMENT | Marathon, FloridaFlorida Keys Fishing Tournament with over $40,000 in cash and prizes! EVENT INFO |
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TBD - 2025Blue Water Open Offshore Charity Fishing Tournament | Sebastian, FLIn June, anglers can compete for big prizes and support local causes at the same time. The 30th Annual Blue Water Open promises a prize purse of $21,000 and a chance to win a 4-night Napa wine country vacation. The saltwater fishing tournament has raised over $750,000 for Florida non-profits, including those focused on academic scholarships and the prevention of child abuse. Boat captains can register online and begin sharpening their eye for the tournament’s target species, including dolphin, kingfish, tilefish, and grouper. For novice anglers who want to observe before jumping into a full-blown fishing competition, Blue Water Open recruits numerous volunteers to ensure a successful tournament. |
June 2025
2025: TBDLOWER KEYS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DOLPHIN TOURNAMENT | Sugarloaf Key, FloridaMore than $35,000 in cash and prizes awaits anglers targeting dolphin fish in the 30th annual Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce Dolphin Tournament. EVENT INFO |
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June 25-26, 2025IFC CAPTAIN'S CUP DOLPHIN TOURNAMENT | Islamorada, FloridaThe Islamorada Fishing Club originated over 60 years ago with conservation, recreational fishing, and the furthering of strong family and community bonds in mind. The club members were instrumental in the designation of Everglades National Park as one of our country’s greatest treasures for all Americans to enjoy. EVENT INFO |
July 2025
July 23 - 26, 2025KEY WEST MARLIN TOURNAMENT | Key West, FloridaCelebrating its 42nd year, the 2024 Key West Marlin Tournament features $50,000 in cash prizes in the Marlin Division and more in the Fun Fish Division. The tournament, coinciding with the annual Hemingway Days Celebration in Key West, Florida, is a world-class fishing event drawing anglers eager to test the waters on “The Wall.” In addition to spectacular fishing and prizes, the event features nightly festivities, including the infamous Captains dinner, dinners on location and an awards banquet. EVENT INFO |
For more details and updates on these tournaments, you can visit their respective websites!