Key West Marlin Tournament Coming Up

Key West Marlin Tournament Pits Anglers Against ‘Big Game' July 18-21

Anglers targeting marlin and other fish are to compete for $50,000 in guaranteed cash prizes in the 2012 Drambuie Key West Marlin Tournament, scheduled Wednesday through Saturday, July 18-21.

The popular tournament is held in conjunction with Key West's July 17-22 Hemingway Days celebration. Legendary author and sportsman Ernest Hemingway lived and wrote in Key West throughout the 1930s, spending his leisure time fishing for “big game” offshore.

The team that accumulates the most points for blue marlin, white marlin and spearfish during the tournament's three fishing days earns $25,000, while second- and third-place prizes are $10,000 and $5,000, respectively. Teams also can enter one fun fish (dolphin, tuna, wahoo or released sailfish) per boat per day for additional points.

Marlin must be tagged and released unless their weight exceeds 600 pounds.

Marlin division competitors can pay an additional fee to compete for $10,000 in the fun fish division. Cash prizes await anglers who catch the three heaviest dolphin, three heaviest tuna (yellowfin, blackfin and skipjack) and three heaviest wahoo.

The Key West Marlin Tournament is to begin with a 4-6 p.m. final registration Wednesday, July 18, at Conch Republic Seafood Co., 631 Greene St. A captains meeting, auction and raffle are to follow.

Fishing is set for 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday, July 19 and 20, and 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 21. Weigh-ins are scheduled for 4-6 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 3-5 p.m. Saturday at the Conch Republic Seafood docks.

Tournament social events include cocktail parties, an island pig roast, a fish fry and Saturday night's awards banquet.

Entry fees are $1,800 per boat for two anglers to compete in the marlin division and attend tournament social events. Entry in the fun fish division is an additional $300 per boat.

Event information and registration: www.keywestmarlin.com or 305-292-2710

Key West visitor information: www.fla-keys.com/keywest or 1-800-LAST-KEY

Florida Keys fishing information: www.fla-keys.com/fishing

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