Sailfish City - Stuart Florida Community Site

Stuart, FL - On June 14, 2008 the Stuart Sailfish Club will be hosting the Small Boat Tournament to give the Treasure Coast’s ‘mosquito fleet’ a chance to compete equally in our offshore waters.  The tournament falls on Father’s Day weekend and is open to the public, you don’t need to be a member to compete!

There will be an Adult Division and an Junior Division (15 and under).  Categories will include Sailfish release (1st - 3rd), Heaviest Kingfish, Dolphin and Wahoo (1st - 3rd) and a Top Boat award.

There will also be a special fuel raffle this year!  $20 gets you a ticket for a chance to win $500 worth a fuel from any marina of your choice.  Only 100 tickets will be sold.

Schedule of Events:

Friday, June 13th - 6:00 PM

Captain’s Briefing and Kickoff Party
Captains must attend!
Held at the Finest Kind Marina

Saturday, June 14th

Fish Day - Sailfish, Wahoo, Kingfish and Dolphin

Saturday, June 14th - 5:00 PM

Awards Barbecue at Finest Kind Marina.

Download the Tournament Registration Form

May 1-3, 2008 - Panama City, Florida
Wal-Mart FLW Outdoors Redfish Tournament
Top Prize of $50,000.  Anglers will take off at 6 Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings from Bay Point Marina located at 3824 Hatteras Lane in Panama City Beach. Weigh-ins will also be held at Bay Point Marina beginning at 3 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Saturday’s weigh-in will be held at the Wal-Mart located at 10270 Front Beach Road in Panama City Beach beginning at 4 p.m. Takeoffs and weigh-ins are free, and the community is invited to attend the festivities.  More information on www.FLWOutdoors.com or call (270) 252-1000.

May 1-3, 2008 - Jensen Beach, Florida
Yamaha Professional Kingfish Tournament
Present by the Southern Kingfish Association, this is the second stop for the Yamaha Pro Tour in their five stop, three state tournament.  The tournament headquarters for the Jensen Beach stop will be at AA Marina, 2225 NE Indian River Drive, Jensen Beach, FL 34957.  (800) 995-0936 for more info.

May 1-3, 2008 - Jensen Beach, Florida
Frances Langford Memorial Fishing Tournament
The Jensen Beach Chamber of Commerce will again host the 3rd Annual Frances Langford Memorial Fishing Tournament to be held May 1st – 3rd, 2008. This event will award over $65,000.00 in cash and prizes. The tournament site will again be located at Four Fish Marina in Jensen Beach, Florida.  More info here.

May 1-4, 2008 - Miami Beach, Florida
The Grove SLAM! - Presented by Sea Vee and Mercury
Billed as Florida’s Funnest Fishing Tournament!  Shotgun start to go after a grand prize of $15,000 presented by Sea Vee Boats.  There will also be a $5,000 prize for the single heaviest Dolphin!  For more info visit The Grove SLAM! website.

May 2-3, 2008 - Sebastian, Florida
South Brevard Ducks Unlimited “Band the Slam” Inshore Tournament
The 4th Annual Ducks Unlimited “Band the Slam” Inshore Tournament is around the corner! The tournament will be at Squid Lips Overwater Grill, located at 1660 Indian River Drive in Sebastian and is a sanctioned Treasure Coast Flats Circuit Tournament!  More info here.

May 8-11, 2008 - Pompano Beach, Florida
Saltwater Shootout
$150,000 in cash and prizes.  This is the first leg of the Gauntlet Elimination Series leading up to the Saltwater Showdown!  Prize structure and more information on tournament here.

May 9-10, 2008 - Sebastian, Florida
36th Annual SISA 2008 Spring Fling
The Sebastian Inlet Sport Fishing Association presents Spring Fling 2008!  This fun filled event has occurred since 1973 making it one of the oldest fishing tournaments in Florida. Each year over 100 boats from 19 foot and up participate for cash prizes and awards. Plan to attend the tournament or just come by Captain Hiram’s, have a cold beverage of your choice, kick-back and watch the weigh-in.

May 10, 2008 - Stuart, Florida
Stuart Sailfish Club Small Boat Tournament
This one of the Club’s most popular tournaments. It generally draws between 30 and 40 boats and affords the Treasure Coast’s prolific “Mosquito Fleet” its chance to compete on an equal level in our offshore waters.  Contact Char Griggs, Sailfish@StuartSailfishClub.com or 772-286-9373

May 10, 2008 - Stuart, Florida
Stuart Sailfish Club Ladies Tournament
As the name implies, this tournament is for ladies only. It’s a one day annual event, usually held in May. Membership in the Club is not required but we do encourage all who do participate to join the SSC. Trophies are awarded for 1st, 2nd & 3rd place.  Contact Char Griggs - Sailfish@StuartSailfishClub.com or 772-286-9373

May 10, 2008 - Sebastian, Florida
GFWC Sebastian River Junior Women’s Club 7th Annual Flatfishing Tournament
Eligible Species: Snook, Trout and Redfish. Trophies and poles are given to winning junior anglers. Raises funds for various local charity projects.  Contact - Kathy Messersmith at 772-589-7990 for details.

May 14-17, 2008 - Pompano Beach, Florida
Pompano Beach Fishing Rodeo
$10,000 first place boat prize.  $10,000 heaviest fish prize.  Expanded boundaries, three inlet checkout.  Come to www.pompanofishingrodeo.com for more details!

May 15-18, 2008 - Key Largo, Florida
21st Annual Coconuts Dolphin Tournament
The largest dolphin caught during the 2008 Coconuts Dolphin Tournament that weighs over 63.9 pounds will win a two year lease on a 2008 HONDA Ridgeline RT, valued at over $10,000, in addition to other prizes.  Visit Coconuts for more info!

May 24, 2008 - Fort Pierce, Florida
32nd Annual Exchange Club Blue Water Open Charity Fishing Tournament
Net proceeds are donated to local youth-related charities for prevention of child abuse. Cost is $150 until May 15, $200 after.  Contact JanBinney@AOL.com or 772-532-9375

May 30, 2008 - Fort Pierce, Florida
Taylor Creek Marina 1st Annual Inshore Fishing Tournament
Come and fish this TCF Circuit-run inshore tournament at Taylor Creek Marina in Fort Pierce! Be there on Friday night to register, with a “gentlemen’s start” on Saturday morning. Come and fish this tournament with a great payout that you expect from the TCF Circuit, along with earning points in the TCF Circuit for your end-of-season totals!

May 30-31, 2008 - New Smyrna Beach, Florida
New Smyrna Beach Kingfish Classic
Part of the Mercury Tournament Trail, this leg benefits local charities including the Rotary Club and Hospice.  Contact Terry Adkins - Terry@BlueWaterPromo.com or 800-546-4622 for more information.

The offshore dolphin bite was beginning to heat up, when the wind and high seas kicked in and turned us back to river fishermen. Our last couple of trips produced mostly school sized dolphin, but last Friday one of the rods went off and a big bull catapulted out of the water and screamed off about a hundred yards of line. We knew we had to concentrate on this one fish so we quickly pulled in our other lines and gave chase. We took our time tiring out the fish which jumped every time he saw the boat. In the meantime, every boat near us had a fish or two on but none were near the size of this one. After about thirty minutes, the gaff went in and the fish was flopping on the deck. We threw a towel over his head to calm him down  and minimize damage to the boat and the passengers. After a little bit of persuasion with a billy club, we were able to place him in the fish box. The fish measured fifty six inches and weighed well over forty pounds. The grilled fillets were great. There are plenty  of bonita and kings are starting to show up between sixty and eighty feet. There are some amberjacks on the wrecks along with an occasional cobia. Sailfish are scattered, but being caught in decent numbers for this time of year. Near the beach there are schools of bluefish and a couple of pompano. We saw a couple of boats hooked up to tarpon in schools of threadfins near the Jensen Beach Holiday Inn. Around the inlet, look for bluefish on the incoming tide. There are plenty of lady fish and small blues near Willoughby Creek. The pelicans will let you know when they are there. Look for snook at the Roosevelt Bridge on flair hawks or live mullet. Topwater around the docks and seawalls will also produce some fish. Look for the dolphin and king bites to improve as the spring pattern takes over and more fish move through the area. More later.