Sailfish set to soar off the Florida Keys

by Bob Wonders on 31 Mar 2011 In a recent piece I wrote regarding the Florida Keys an, in particular, Key West, one of my very favourite destinations on the entire planet, I stated that keen anglers visiting there for the first timer would think they’d landed in paradise.

Well, just to prove I was not kidding, this month (April 12-16) signals the start of the 2011 World Sailfish Championships out of Key West, with organisers expecting to raise more than $2 million for charity.

On top of that handsome amount, another $1 million will be ‘up for grabs’ by anglers in the prestigious competition.

Thousands are expected to attend the star-studded event with the five-day contest based in Key West’s famous Mallory Square.

Numerous US celebrities will either attend and/or compete, among them former Miami Dolphins NFL coach and Hall of Fame inductee Don Shula, renowned saltwater skipper Captain Norm Isaacs, Hall of Fame wrestler ‘Hacksaw’ Jim Duggan, baseball Hall of Fame member and Cincinnati Reds catcher Johnny Bench and revered fly-fisherman Stu Apte.

Teams have entered from as far a field as New York, Michigan, Alabama, Texas. Costa Rica, Guatemala and, of course, Florida.

Organisers claim the World Sailfish Championship rates as the world’s most high-profile fishing tournament.

Teams will fish three-days, Wednesday and Thursday (April 13-14) and Saturday (April 16).

Fishing will be over the hours 8am to 3.30pm

The tournament is in a catch-and-release format with video documentation required for review.

Anglers will be vying for the rich cash prizes, gold signet rings created by jewellery design house Josten’s and a one-of-a-kind crystal trophy.

Charities that will benefit from the tournament include the Don Shula Foundation for Breast Cancer Research, the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation and the Rotary Club of Key West.

Chris King, chairman of the World Fishing Tour, said the organisation was 'very excited' at the prospect of breaking the $2 million barrier for charity.

'The goal of this event has always been to raise money for charity, show our anglers a great time and provide a world class venue for sponsors to showcase their products,' he said.

'We could not have achieved any of this without the generosity of our anglers, sponsors, contributors and volunteers,' he added.

All that’s needed now is for the sailfish to soar.

Team Barefoot, owned by Jim Sullivan and skippered by Kris McKenney, won the 2010 World Sailfish Championship with 24 releases.

They just edged out Team Lights, owned by Bill Haugland and skippered by a Chester Sims, which released 23 sailfish.

For further information e-mail to worldsailfishchampionship(at)gmail.com