 2010 Tournament Schedule
August 27-29: Islamorada Swordfish Tournament. Islamorada. Anglers compete to catch swordfish, a species that has recovered to healthy populations off the Keys. This modified release tournament benefits the Billfish Foundation. Contact Captain Richard Peeples at 305-282-1006, E-mail or visit miamiswordfishtournament.com.
 Sept. 10-12: S.L.A.M. (Southernmost Light-Tackle Anglers Masters) Celebrity Tournament. Key West. In the first of the annual fall Redbone Trilogy events that raise money to fight cystic fibrosis, top anglers and celebrities target tarpon, permit and bonefish with light tackle. Contact Gary Ellis at 305-664-2002, E-mail, visit redbone.org or write to P.O. Box 273, Islamorada FL 33036.
 Sept. 15-17: Islamorada Invitational Fall Fly Bonefish Tournament. Islamorada. Fly anglers are to pursue Islamorada bonefish, some of the largest and smartest in the world, at this all-release tournament. Contact Charlotte Ambrogio at 305-664-2444, E-mail or write to P.O. Box 1063, Islamorada FL 33036
Sept. 16-19: Marathon International Bonefish Tournament. Marathon. Some of the best bonefish anglers anywhere are to stalk the gray ghost of the flats in an area rich with them. This is an all-release spin or fly event. Contact Nancy Ponzoa at 305-394-7758 or E-mail, call Laural Keating at 305-743-6654 or write to P.O. Box 500914, Marathon FL 33050.
 Sept. 17-19: Take Stock in Children Backcountry Challenge. Key Largo. Anglers fish for snook and redfish to benefit a statewide scholarship program. Contact Sue Finney at 305-451-2467, E-mail or write to P.O. Box 252, Key Largo FL 33037.
 Sept. 25-26: Herman Lucerne Memorial Backcountry Tournament. Key Largo. Up to 100 anglers will be competing for snook, tarpon, redfish, sea trout, snapper, bonefish and black drum against the backdrop of Everglades National Park. Contact Charlotte Ambrogio at 305-664-2444, or write to P.O. Box 1063, Islamorada FL 33036.
Oct. 1-3: Mercury Baybone Celebrity Tournament. Key Largo. The second of three tournaments in the annual Redbone Trilogy, the Baybone targets permit and bonefish to raise money for cystic fibrosis research. Contact Gary Ellis at 305-664-2002, E-mail, visit redbone.org or write to P.O. Box 273, Islamorada FL 33036.
Oct. 6-8: Women’s Fall Fly Classic – Multiple Species. Previously called the Women’s World Invitational Fly Championship Bonefish Series, the revamped all-release, fly-only tournament is to have anglers fishing for four different species. Contact Charlotte Ambrogio at 305-664-2444, visit womensflyseries.com/index.html, or write to P.O. Box 1063, Islamorada FL 33036.
Oct. 11-15: Bonefishing World Championship / Islamorada All-Tackle Bonefish Tournament. Islamorada. Some of the best bonefish anglers compete to catch and release the gray ghost of the flats. Proceeds are to be donated to local charities. Contact Charlotte Ambrogio at 305-664-2444, E-mail or write to P.O. Box 1063, Islamorada FL 33036.
Oct. 15-16: Casting for Cats. Islamorada. This one-day ladies’ all-tackle backcountry tournament raises money for local charities. Contact Sharon Mahoney Ellenwood at 305-664-2012 or 305-393-6174, visit castingforcats.org or E-mail.
Nov. TBA: Ladies, Let's Go Fishing. Islamorada. Female anglers polish their skills and fish in an event sponsored by the fishing education and advocacy group Ladies, Let's Go Fishing! Contact Betty Bauman at 954-475-9068, E-mail, visit ladiesletsgofishing.com or write to P.O. Box 550429, Fort Lauderdale FL 33355.
Nov. 5-7: Mercury Redbone Celebrity Tournament. Islamorada. Celebrities and other anglers catch bonefish and redfish to raise money for cystic fibrosis research in the final event of the annual Redbone Trilogy. Contact Gary Ellis at 305-664-2002, E-mail, visit redbone.org or write to P.O. Box 273, Islamorada, FL 33036.
Nov. 27-28: Islamorada Fishing Club Junior Derby. Islamorada. All species count for points in this competition for young anglers, with the most points awarded for bonefish and permit. Contact Jim and Sherri Trice at 305-664-3864, E-mail or write to P.O. Box 22, Islamorada FL 33036.
 Dec. 2-5: Islamorada Sailfish Tournament. Islamorada. This competition is the first leg of the triple-crown Florida Keys Gold Cup Championship Series. The tournament is one of the oldest in the Florida Keys. Contact Dianne Harbaugh at 305-852-2102, E-mail, visit islamoradasailfishtournament.com or write to P.O. Box 462, Islamorada, FL 33036.
 Dec. 8-9: Islamorada Fishing Club Captain’s Cup Sailfish Tournament. Islamorada. Anglers compete for a winner-take-all $25,000 jackpot for catching and releasing sailfish. Contact Dianne Harbaugh at 305-852-2102, E-mail, visit islamoradasailfishtournament.com or write to P.O. Box 22, Islamorada FL 33036.
Dec. 10-12: Captain Don Gurgiolo Sailfish Classic. Islamorada. This all-release tournament offers anglers a chance to pursue sailfish in Captain Don’s memory. Contact Tammie Gurgiolo at 305-852-9337, E-mail or write to P.O. Box 432, Islamorada FL 33036.
 Dec. 17-19: Islamorada Junior Sailfish Tournament. Islamorada. Now in its 45th year, the event allows anglers through age 16 to target sailfish. All anglers are to receive trophies. Contact Tammie Gurgiolo at 305-852-9337, E-mail or write to 124 Tavern Drive, Tavernier FL 33070.
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 The term billfish is applied to a number of different large, predatory fish characterized by their large size (swordfish can be over 4 meters long) and long, sword-like bill. Billfish span the sailfish and marlin, which make up the family Istiophoridae, and the swordfish, sole member of the family Xiphiidae. They are important apex predators feeding on a wide variety of smaller fish and cephalopods. While billfish are most common in tropical and subtropical waters, swordfish in particular are sometimes found in temperate waters as well. (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
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