Here’s one of interest for readers from the Middle Keys.
MARATHON, Florida Keys — At sailfish season’s peak, the popular Leon Shell Memorial Sailfish Tournament is set for Friday through Sunday, March 5-7, in Key Colony Beach, Fla. The 12th annual tournament offers two full days of sailfishing and a $30,000 cash purse.
The winning boat team is to receive a grand prize of $25,000 cash, with first and second runners-up also taking home cash prizes. Trophies are to be awarded to the top boat teams and individual sailfish anglers.
Scoring is based on the total number of sailfish released.
In addition, anglers who catch the biggest wahoo, dolphin, kingfish and tuna are to take home $250 in prize money as well as trophies.
A $1,000 academic scholarship awaits the top angler in the junior division. A $500 scholarship goes to the first runner-up and a $300 scholarship is slated for the second runner-up.
The tournament is to kick off with a 7:30 p.m. captains meeting Friday, March 5, at Sparky’s Landing on Sadowski Causeway near mile marker 53.5 oceanside in Key Colony Beach.
Fishing is to run from lines-in at 8 a.m. to lines-out at 3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 6-7. A daily weigh-in is set for 3:30 to 6 p.m., and the awards dinner begins at 7 p.m. Sunday at Sparky’s Landing.
An anglers’ marketplace is to be open at the Key Colony Beach marina throughout the weekend, featuring tournament and sponsor merchandise and a guest appearance by noted marine artist Joe Suroviec.
Entry fees are $500 for the first angler and boat captain, and $150 for each additional angler. Each boat is allowed unlimited anglers, but only four lines can be fished simultaneously. Registration deadline is March 1 and a $100 late fee applies after that date.
The tournament is named for the late Captain Leon Shell, best known as the inventor of the “Leon Lure,” an artificial lure widely regarded as one of the best “smoker” or bubble-creating lures ever devised.
Proceeds from the tournament benefit Hospice and the Visiting Nurse Association of the Florida Keys, which provides home health and hospice services to the Keys community.
For more information and registration, contact Captain Terry Fisher at 305-289-1310, e-mail info@leonshelltournament.com or visit www.LeonShellTournament.com.
To find out about area accommodations, call the Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce at 305-743-5417 or 800-262-7284, e-mail visitus@floridakeysmarathon.com or visit the Florida Keys & Key West Web site at www.fla-keys.com.
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FOR MEDIA INFORMATION ONLY: Contact: Andy Newman/Carol Shaughnessy 1-800-ASK-KEYS (800-275-5397) or (305) 461-3300 www.fla-keys.com/media
