South Florida Sailfish Tournament Season: Your Guide to Upcoming Events
As the thrilling sailfish season arrives, passionate anglers with a taste for adventure take to South Florida’s waters for a chance to claim a tournament title or their riggers lined full of release flags. These events offer a unique combination of competition and camaraderie: more than just a test of angling skills, but a captivating celebration of sport shared by all who participate.
As usual, the 2024/2025 season brings us an abundance of exhilarating events to choose from. No matter which you’re planning to attend, the single most important tool will be your vessel. HMY has an extensive inventory of sportfishing yachts for sale to get you to the heart of the action and create an experience of a lifetime.
Our distinguished Yacht Sales Professionals — many of them experienced sportfishing enthusiasts and tournament participants themselves — are at the ready to equip you for an adrenaline-pumping adventure. In the meantime, mark your calendars with the following list of South Florida sailfish tournaments for the 2024/2025 season.
Dust ’Em Off Sailfish Warmup | December 4 – 8, 2024
Get into gear for the months of sailfishing ahead with this early-season event in North Palm Beach, FL. Don’t miss the captain’s meeting at the HMY Outboard Center on December 5th, which will feature food trucks, a DJ, sponsors, and registration.
Take a look at last year's Captains Meeting here.
Florida Keys Gold Cup Sailfish Championship
This thrilling trifecta invites both anglers and teams alike to compete for the coveted Gold Cup Trophy across three separate events:
- Islamorada Sailfish Tournament | December 5 – 8, 2024
The 61st Annual Islamorada Sailfish Tournament is the first leg, which kicks off at the exquisite Whale Harbor banquet facility on Thursday the 5th, followed by fishing December 6th through 8th.
- IFC Captain’s Cup Sailfish Tournament | January 14 – 15, 2025
The second leg of the competition series launches into action with a lively cocktail hour and dinner prior to the fishing day.
- Cheeca Lodge Presidential | January 17 – 19, 2025
Hosted by Cheeca Lodge & Spa in Islamorada, FL, the finale event boasts several unique award categories, including Top Lady Angler and Champion Junior Angler.
Pirate’s Cove Sailfish Classic | December 11 – 14, 2024
This action-packed event brings together the most premier dead bait sailfishing anglers in the world, with access to elite fishing spots just 30 minutes from the Stuart docks. Take to the local waterfront bars for post-competition refreshments.
Looking for rooms to stay during this event? Check out Pirate’s Cove Resort and Marina.
Here is a recap of the event last year.
Stuart Sailfish Club Light Tackle | December 18 – 21, 2024
With awards available for multiple species and participants alike, this catch-and-release tournament spans three days and has prize categories for top boats overall, as well as ample daily winners.
Fish for Holly Sailfish Tournament | January 3 – 4, 2025
Since its establishment six years ago, Fish for Holly has grown to become the largest tournament of the Florida Keys and has featured record-breaking numbers of sailfish releases. Held in honor of community treasure Holly Given, the event supports domestic abuse prevention and education, as well as educational and professional support. In the 2024 tourney, led by HMY Yacht Sales Professionals Jeff Creary and Lexie Creary, “Chasin’ Sails/Team HMY” finished in the top 10 out of 70 teams and went 5 for 6 on sailfish.
(Image: https://westpalmbeachfishingclub.org/about/gallery/)
Pelican Yacht Club Invitational | January 6 – 11, 2025
A five-day fishing extravaganza, this billfish tournament allows teams to choose three fishing days before returning to the Pelican Yacht Club for libations and first-rate cuisine. HMY Yacht Sales Professional Mark Mitchell is a longtime fan of the Fort Pierce event, and recalls catching 30 to 40 fish in a single day one year.
Silver Sailfish Derby | January 8 – 11, 2025
With a history dating back to 1935, the Silver Sailfish Derby holds a reputation as the longest-running sailfish tournament in the world, and was once sponsored in part by legendary author and big game fisherman Ernest Hemingway. Non-pro participants of all skill levels have a chance to claim an award, making it a favorite for HMY Yacht Sales Professional Luke Davis, who took first place daily and second place overall three years ago with fellow HMY brokers Andrew Dean and Mike O’Connor. As of now, the 2025 fleet is sold out, but there is a waitlist.
Quest for the Crest Sailfish Series
With three high-stakes legs, this series offers anglers multiple daring opportunities to test their skills in South Florida’s waters:
- Operation Sailfish | January 15 – 19, 2025
Operation Sailfish takes place at Sailfish Marina on Singer Island. Alongside a substantial prize, champions receive an exclusive set of dog tags — a nod to the event’s support of military families via donations to Operation Homefront.
- Sailfish Challenge | February 19 – 23, 2025
In this second leg, anglers have the flexible option to compete ideally out of three inlets: Government Cut in Miami, Hillsboro Inlet in Pompano Beach, and Lakeworth Inlet in West Palm.
- Final Sail | April 2 – 5, 2025
The gripping grand finale of the series, this late-season event is hosted in the Coconut Grove area of Miami.
(Image: Buccaneer Cup)
Buccaneer Cup | January 21 – 25, 2025
One of the longest-running and most prestigious sailfish tournaments in the U.S., the renowned Buccaneer Cup will be held for its 62nd year at the Viking Service Center in Riviera Beach, FL.
Islamorada Women’s Sailfish Tournament | January 31 – February 2, 2025
In a traditionally male-dominated sport, this event creates a space for female anglers of all skill levels to participate in their own event. The “Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!” organization sponsors the tournament, and offers sailfish fishing instructions via Zoom upon request.
The Cove Billfish Tournament | February 8 – 10, 2025
With a rollicking kickoff party on February 8th, this Deerfield Beach event generously sponsors The Boys and Girls Club of Broward County, and features an awards ceremony following a day of fishing on the 10th.
Annual Gold Cup Team Fishing Tournament | February 11 – 15, 2025
Reserved for big-game saltwater anglers ready to put their skills to the ultimate test, instead of the temporary delight of prize money, this prestigious invitational tournament awards a gold cup with the winner’s team name inscribed upon it for lasting legacy.
Jupiter Billfish Classic | February 26 – March 2, 2025
The fourth annual Jupiter Billfish Classic is a two-day fishing event and allows anglers to depart from Jupiter, Stuart, or Palm Beach, FL.
Jimmy Johnson’s Quest for the Ring | March 4 – 8, 2025
Hosted at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, FL, this lavish event boasts the world’s richest purse and the opportunity to fish multiple locations from Palm Beach to the Florida Keys.
Viking Key West Challenge | April 9 – 12, 2025
Take to Key West this April for three sprawling days of fishing, specialty “docktails,” and exclusive events hosted by Viking Yachts.
As tournament season draws near, be sure to check our events page for the most recent updates and behind-the-scenes recaps. And if you’re looking to upgrade your battlewagon before your next tournament, browse our full inventory of yachts for sale here.
Quick Links:
- Fishing His Way Home: The Story of One HMY Client and His New 2021 Viking 44 Open
- Unveiling the Viking 82: Setting New Standards in Sportfishing Yachts
- 10 Featured Sportfishing Yachts Available Now at HMY
- Fall in Love With One of Our 10 Featured Sportfishing Yachts That are Available Now
