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Fishing Tournaments
Islamorada Shark Fly
Here in the Florida Keys, we have no shortage of both Fly Fishing enthusiasts
and SHARKS!!!!! With this in mind the Islamorada Shark Fly Tournament was
born. Created by Capt. Mark Johnson, an Islamorada based professional
fishing guide, and owner/operator of Florida Keys Fun Fishing, this "original" Fly
Fishing Tournament is sure to be a big hit debuting in March 2010, and
covered by ESPN.
Why a Shark Tournament? Here in the Florida Keys, fly fishing, light
tackle fishing, offshore fishing, and tournament fishing has made headlines everywhere
in the country for many years. With dozens of Bonefish, Redfish/Snook, Tarpon,
Permit, Sailfish and Dolphin tournaments from Key Largo to Key West, one of the
fiercest Gamefish species was obviously missing. SHARKS!!!!!!
The abundance of sharks is very impressive throughout South Florida and especially
the Florida Keys. Here in the Islamorada area, we also have the Everglades National
Park which is home to many shallow water species of Sharks including the Lemon,
Bull, Blacktip, Hammerhead and the awsome Tiger Shark. All of these species
and others can be sight fished and caught on today's quality saltwater fly gear.
Can you imagine an 8ft. long, 250lb.+ fish, full of unpredictable energy
and teeth on a flyrod? We do it here in the Florida Keys.
The Islamorada Shark Fly tournament will challenge your angler's ability to find,
cast to, hook, and land Sharks over 4ft. long. Endurance and boatside fish handling
skills will also be tested to the MAX!!!! This fly fishing tournament can
also be used as a quality hands on learning tool to help anglers get ready for
Tarpon season which is just around the corner.
Are you interested in fishing this tournament and need a guide? No problem, I
have a list of Fly Fishing guides that are Shark savvy!!!
The Islamorada Shark Fly is a two day, FKO/IGFA Inshore Championship 2011 qualifying
event, and will be limited to 25 anglers. Entry fee is $375, for more info call
Capt. Mark Johnson 305-393-0900 or send an email to tailspincharters@hotmail.com. All
proceeds will go to the We Fish For Kids Inc. foundation. which will benefit
our kids in the Monroe County School System.
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Bayboat Billfish Series
Here in the Florida Keys, offshore fishing for Sailfish, Dolphin, Tuna etc. is
world famous. Islamorada, which is touted as the Sportfishing Capital of the
World for many different reasons lies right in the heart of the Florida Keys
island chain. Offshore fishing was done for many years out of the larger charter
boat style sportfishing machines ranging from 35-60 ft in length, with a tall
tuna tower and a mate. Local marinas like Bud N Mary's, Holiday Isle, and
Whale Harbor where considered ground zero for a chance to go offshore fishing
in the Islamorada area.
This is no doubt an awsome fishing experience , but the style of offshore boats
has begun changing with the times and you now see smaller, faster, more diverse
open fisherman style boats ranging from 24ft -36ft in length. With the change
in boats, comes a change in fishng style too. When Mother Nature whips up some
rough and windy offshore conditions, the big boats are forced to go offshore
or stay at the dock. Nobody wants to get seasick, but nobody wants to stay home
either.
Enter the Bay Boat.....In the last few years the bay boat style of inshore fishing
machines has caught on like a great tasting cheesburger served by a girl in a
bikini. And why not? You can handle almost any type of fishing style from
offshore to inshore, flats and backcountry easily as well. Most manufactures
are coming out with boats now between 19-24 ft long that are capable of handling
the worst weather days inshore and moderate weather offshore. You can also fish
a family of four in most cases with plenty of comfort. With this being
said, a days fishing is not lost if the wind is blowing. Instead of fishng offshore
you simply go backcountry or into the Gulf of Mexico. This fishing oppurtunity
simply can not be offered by the larger charter boats.
In February 2009, Capt. Jim Dalrymple and I created the Bayboat Billfish
Tournament which was a test pilot for an affordable light tackle Sailfish tournament,
that anyone could enter and the expense would be minimal. The idea was great,
but the weather we knew was our only wild card. How rough can you safely fish
a bay boat in? Tournament morning found us fishing in 20kts of wind from
the north with seas anywhere from 3-5ft to 4-6ft depending on location. We had
10 teams in a variety of bay boats ranging from Lake & Bay, Yellowfin, Ranger,
Pathfinder, Seacraft, and Speedcraft Everyone finished the tournament and said
they would do it again in that weather. We had 10 or so Sailfish caught,
tons of excitement and with serious buzz around the town, that was that and
the series was in the making.
This year, our Bayboat Billfish Series consists of three tournaments starting
on December 16th, followed by January 20th, followed by February 9th and 10th.
We picked Wednesdays to fish to avoid any weekend tournaments and this has worked
out just fine. 12lb. monofiliament is our tackle limit, and we do offer both
a daily and series calcutta. We payback all cash except for minimul administration
fees, and t-shirts. etc. This a very simple, affordable, and fun format that
offers a chance for everyone to fish in an offshore tournament for
Sailfish.
If you are interested in fishing these events...please feel free to contact me
via email at tailspincharters@hotmail.com or
cellphone 305-393-0900. Don't have your own boat? No problem, I have
a list of guides as well that are Sailfish savvy.
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