The Florida Keys is deep sea fishing country. This area has
long been known for the incredible fishing to be had off shore along all the
Keys. We have tournaments throughout the year and have played host to many a
celebrity seeking the ultimate fishing adventure. Perhaps the most well-known
Keys transplant who took on fish and wave was Earnest Hemmingway. Last year I
posted about all the great fun to be had during the Key
West Hemmingway Days, this year is a great time to focus on
one of the best fishing tournaments to be found in the country, the Key West Marlin Tournament.
This is a pinnacle Key
West event, showing off some of the best that the Keys have to offer to
residents and visitors alike. The Marlin Tournament offers $50,000 in prizes, with $25,000 going to the first place winners.
As the tournament takes place as one of the many features of our Hemmingway Days, it offers anglers the perfect
chance to emulate Hemmingway’s passion for deep sea fishing. While the focus is
Marlin fishing, teams can also enter one “fun fish” per day to their point
total. Fun fish include dolphin, tuna, and wahoo or released sailfish. The team
with the most points at the end of the tournament is the winner. The tournament
is being held July 22nd- 25th
this year.
The catches are photo recorded, catching the man verses
fish contest and the release back into the water. Each day points are added and
tracked, providing an overall winner after the end of the tournament. The Key
West Marlin Tournament was begun in 1982,
occurring each year through 1992, when the tournament was put on hiatus. It
came back again as the Drambuie Key West
Marlin Tournament in 1999 and has been held annually ever since. Being
connected with the Hemmingway Days festival is a fitting tribute to both the
literary genius and sport fishing alike.
The first day of the
event is centered around registration, a captains meeting and an auction and
raffle to end the evening. This all occurs at Conch Republic Seafood Company
from 4:00 pm- 8:00 pm. The first day of fishing starts at 7:30 am from Bimini, and teams have until 4:00 to catch
as many marlin as they can. The second and third day run much the same, with
points being cumulated over the entire contest. Each evening includes a
celebration with food and drinks, culminating with the awards dinner on Saturday July 25th.
If you love to go deep
sea fishing, this is one event not to be missed. If you are ready to enjoy
the incredible fishing of this region year round, and
are looking at the Key West area, my team and I are here to help you with
finding the home of your dreams. Please contact me, Jimmy Lane,
for all of your real
estate needs.
Labels: Drambuie Marlin Tournament, jimmy lane, key west
