Florida Keys Summer Fishing Tournaments 2025
May 14, 2025 • Key West Tourist
Experience Florida Keys Summer Fishing Tournaments 2025
Florida Keys Summer Fishing Tournaments 2025 offers anglers endless excitement from May through August, featuring everything from family-friendly dolphin derbies to exclusive tarpon fly fishing challenges. Spanning the crystal-clear waters between Key Largo and Key West, these events cater to both seasoned pros and casual weekend warriors alike.
May Highlights:
Kick off the season in Marathon at the 19th Annual Mother’s Day Dolphin Tournament (May 9–10), benefiting Habitat for Humanity. The event includes divisions for pros, juniors, and everyone in between. Women anglers can bond at the beginner-friendly Ladies Let’s Go Fishing in Islamorada (May 16–18), while elite competitors battle for prestigious tarpon honors at the invite-only Golden Fly Tarpon Tournament (May 19–21). Finish May strong with over $60,000 in prizes at the energetic Skippers Dolphin Tournament (May 30–June 1) in Key Largo.
June Events:
June begins with the revered 51st Annual Don Hawley Invitational Tarpon Fly (June 2–6), limited to just 25 top anglers in Islamorada. The fun continues with the Ladies Dolphin Tournament in Tavernier (June 6–7), offering camaraderie and competition, followed by Big Pine Key’s laid-back Lower Keys Chamber Dolphin Tournament (June 6–8) boasting a casual vibe and significant cash prizes. Families and fans gather at the popular 39th Father’s Day Dolphin Derby (June 13–14) in Marathon and at Key West’s beloved Key West Gator Club Dolphin Derby (June 13–15), awarding a $15,000 purse for scholarships. June concludes on Stock Island with the Florida Keys PBA Dolphin Tournament (June 27–29), a high-energy weekend supporting the Autism Society of the Keys, presented by Monster Energy.
July and August Competitions:
July is marked by the classic, no-frills Billy Knowles Memorial Poor Boys Tarpon Fly (July 4–6) in Islamorada, celebrating Fourth of July with straightforward, exciting tarpon action. Flats enthusiasts flock to Sugarloaf Key’s prestigious Del Brown Invitational Permit Tournament (July 7–10), honoring the legendary angler Del Brown. Key West hosts the vibrant Key West Marlin Tournament (July 23–26) during Hemingway Days, blending high-stakes fishing with nightly celebrations. Finally, bartenders compete for summer bragging rights at the lively Bartenders Dolphin Tournament (August 18) in Layton.
Participants should secure their Florida saltwater licenses ahead of time and prepare for typical summer conditions, with brief afternoon showers and warm breezes. Conservation practices, such as catch-and-release and circle hooks, are emphasized throughout these exciting tournaments.
