We just completed the Shell Key West Challenge Fishing Tournament this weekend. The format of the tournament is really fun, Shell hires all the top charter boats in Key West and sends them out to catch a wide variety of different fish. Sort of like a scavenger hunt except , we are “hunting” for fish like Sailfish, Dolphin, Tarpon, Sharks,  Cobia, Permit, Tuna, Wahoo and several more species. The weather got very windy and by the end of the second day it was pushing the limits of sporty. The good thing about windy weather in Key West , especially from the East is it really improves the bite. The fishing got better and better, and we only broke a few things , nothing serious like a leg or neck , just equipment. We did not win but we were respectable and really enjoyed some great fishing in competition with a lot of great charter captains and mates. I like to post pictures with these fishing reports but , this weekend I was using both hands to  hold on.

For better details click here! MARCH 12 – 14, 2010 Registration, Friday, March 12th, 6 to 8 pm At the DoubleTree Grand Key Resort 3990 S. Roosevelt Blvd., Key West, FL BOAT ENTRY FEE OF $200.00 Fishing, Saturday & Sunday, March 13 & 14 Lines In at 8:30 am & Out at 3 pm each day Awards Dinner on Sunday, March 14th, 7 pm At the DoubleTree Grand Key Resort Awards Dinner, $25.00 per person WIN $5,000.00 in Cash Prizes For 15 Different Species Win $500.00 cash for: Heaviest Dolphin, Most Releases of: Marlin, Sailfi sh & Tarpon Win $300.00 cash for: Heaviest Kingfi sh, Cobia Blackfi n Tuna, Mackerel, Mutton Snapper, Wahoo Most Releases of: Permit, Bonefi sh & Barracuda Win $150.00 cash for: Heaviest Mangrove Snapper & Grunt Junior Division Heaviest Catch (Anglers under 15 yrs. old) KEY WEST FISHING TOURNAMENT KICKOFF 2010 with CONCHY JOE’S MARINE & TACKLE 1. I.G.F.A. rules and Key West Fishing Tournament rules will apply. Rod and reel only. 2. All Marlin or Sailfi sh releases must deploy non-offset circle hooks when using natural baits or a natural bait artifi cial/lure combination. 3. All catches must be unassisted. Professional captains and/or mates are ineligible as anglers. 4. NEW~‘Most Releases’ will be scored by registered boat. 5. Entries will only be accepted from anglers fi shing on a boat that is registered in the KICKOFF. 6. A maximum of 6 anglers may fi sh from a registered boat on each day. This rule does not apply to registered party boats. 7. Anglers wishing to compete for marlin or sailfi sh releases must purchase a camera at registration to photo the release. Cost is $5.00. Anglers do not have to call in releases to the committee boat. 8. Fishing begins with lines in at 8:30 am each day and will conclude at lines out at 3:00 pm each day. Lines in and out will be called by the committee boat over VHF 78. 9. All fi sh must be weighed in at one of the following offi cial K.W.F.T. weighstations: King’s Pointe Marina, Sunset Marina, Murray Marine, Sugarloaf Marina, Cudjoe Gardens Marina and Dolphin Marina. 10. Anglers MUST complete an offi cial K.W.F.T. entry form for weighed and released catches and deliver the entry to a tournament offi cial at King’s Pointe Marina, or fax entry to 305-292-4995. Entries MUST be received by an offi cial no later than 5:30 pm each day. Weighed catches can be transported by vehicle to a weighstation for entry. KICKOFF TOURNAMENT GENERAL RULES FINAL RULES WILL BE DISTRIBUTED AT REGISTRATION ON MARCH 12, 2010 AT DOUBLETREE GRAND KEY RESORT KEY WEST FISHING TOURNAMENT KICKOFF 2010 ENTRY ANGLER’S FIRST & LAST NAME, ADDRESS, CITY, STATE AND ZIP CODE Boat Name: ______________________________ Captain: ________________________________ Address: ________________________________ City, ST, Zip: _____________________________ Home Phone: ___________________________ Cell Phone: _____________________________ PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY To pre-register, complete entry form and mail to the K. W. F. T., P. O. Box 2154, Key West, FL 33045. Include registration fee of $200.00 payable to the Key West Fishing Tournament. PICK UP THE FINAL TOURNAMENT RULES AND CAMERA FOR SAILFISH & MARLIN RELEASES AT THE REGISTRATION, FRIDAY, MARCH 12th AT THE DOUBLETREE GRAND RESORT 1. _______________________________________ ___________________________________________ 2. _______________________________________ ___________________________________________ 3. _______________________________________ ___________________________________________ 4. _______________________________________ ___________________________________________ 5. _______________________________________ ___________________________________________ 6. _______________________________________ ___________________________________________

Although the Key West Marlin Tournament was in July it has taken me this long to boil down my thoughts. I was included in a great team of seasoned anglers and crew on the REEL FAST . This boat takes it’s name seriously and I truly enjoyed being able to change fishing locations at 30+ knots.

The first day we caught a nice Dolphin that put some points on the board against one Marlin caught. The second day we changed locations and landed in the sweet spot.

In the first four minutes Scott Meister caught and brought to the boat a Sailfish , the 80# gear was kinda overkill .

Five minutes later we hooked the ONE we wanted . The Marlin had other ideas and took off and with about four minutes of line clearing , spending the winnings and general mayhem the fish straightened the hook.

What can I say the mood kinda sank , except we had another sailfish bite about ten minutes later , then nothing for the next seven hours. Marlin Fishing !

The third day we went back to our sweeet spot , however the fish did not get the memo and were somewhere else. this became obvious and the boat got to show her speed and we moved South to a secret pair of sea mounts . Quickly we were engaged with THE FISH, it jumped , looked right and was dutifully called in . It was still THE FISH right up to the moment Greg Sage wired the fish and it rolled on its side and transspieced on us into a BLUE SAILFISH.

And so ended our fishing in The Key West Marlin Tournament. It was a let down to not get the fish we wanted , however being in contention to the last minute and actually having the chance to win, plus a good payout in the calcuttas made for a a lot of good discussions over the next few days.

In continuing coverage of The Key West International Fishing Tournament , Team Fiji scored big with extra points awarded for rough seas . Starting with a fat Grouper and then out to the Blue Water for non stop Dolphin Action on a really nice weed line. The only problem was the 10 foot holes in the water about every 100 yards. Hats off to you gentlemen most would cry uncle.

Not to be outdone by neighbors in Sweden , these fierce competitors from Norway braved the heat and sun of Key West to uphold national honor. With full tropical sun and temperatures soaring to near 26 ( c ) this fine 10 + kilo monster Dolphin tested the will of the Team.  Our Key West International Tournament continues and the results of competitors will be announced here.