In a landmark decision, the Board of Directors of the Key West Fishing Tournament has taken a step in supporting the protection of our ocean’s Top Predator.

No longer will the Key West Fishing Tournament accept weights for ANY shark species. We will only accept “Releases” of any/all Sharks for entry into the Key West Fishing Tournament.

All Sharks now join Marlin, Sailfish, Tarpon and more as designated “Release Only” species.

Check out our “Minimum Citation Weights and Lengths” page for more info.

Sponsored By Dream Catcher Charters

Is proud to announce our NEW Yellowtail Snapper Kick-Off Bonus Division Species!

What is a “Bonus Division Species” for the Key West Fishing Tournament Kick-Off?

In addition to the already set species for the Kick-Off, we will designate Yellowtail Snapper as a separate “Bonus” species.

How will the “Bonus Species” work?

Simply said, the boats that are already fishing in the K/O can pay an additional “Bonus Species” division fee ($50) and they are entered.

In addition to entries based on the overall KWFT K/O event, we will open the “Bonus Species” for individual entries (those only wanting to fish the “Bonus Species”).

The “Bonus Species” entries will be a “Vessel Entry” not angler based, and will be limited to 6 anglers per vessel (boat).

Each “Vessel” will be allowed to enter 1 (one) Yellowtail Snapper per day into the Bonus Division.

The electronic scale at Oceanside Marina will be the ONLY scale used for the Bonus Division weigh-in.

There will be a Key West Fishing Tournament Board of Directors member designated to focus ONLY on Yellowtail Snapper weigh-in.

There will be no Leaderboard for the “Bonus Species”.

Yellowtail Snapper will HAVE to be presented at Oceanside Marina during the same period that the scales are open for the General Kick-off. We will not accept any entries for the “Bonus Division” NOT weighed at Oceanside Marina.

Weights will be recorded by Vessel Name, and signed for by the person presenting the fish for weight on a KWFT form.

• Signature on the form will indicate that the angler agrees with the stated weight to and will ensure there are no “disputed” weights after the weighing is closed.
• Angler signature on the form finalizes the weight as the “official weight”.

A copy will be given to the angler, and a copy held by the KWFT.

Winner(s) will be announced AT the Awards Dinner.

There will be No Trophy, only a check presented at the awards dinner.

Do I have to fish both days?

No. You can fish either day or both. But you must fish the same “Lines-In” and “Lines Out” designated for the General Entries into the Kick-Off Event.

Will it be a 100% payout?

No. We will payout 80% of the total entries.

The KWFT will keep 20% as a donation for the KWFT.

How many Positions will it pay?

It will pay 2 (two) positions.

Top Yellowtail will take 50% of the pool.

And a position, the second paying position, to be named at the Captain’s Meeting after registration and will be based on the number of entries. (ie: 50 entries, we pay 1^st place and 25^th place).

While you may not have the winning catch, you may have the 25^th heaviest (based on the example provided) and still be in the money!

If we based the numbers on the assumption of Twenty (20) boats entered in the “Bonus Division” we would be looking at…

• Winner receiving $500
• Next Winner receiving $300

What is the Entry Fee for the “Bonus Division”?

$50

No requirement to be in the $200 K/O category.

Will there be any exclusions in who can enter the “Bonus Division”?

Yes, head boats will be excluded from eligibility.

There are far too many anglers on a head boat to have 1 (one) Yellowtail entered per day.

Commercially Registered Vessels (regardless of Dual license)

Tournament Sponsors

Members of the Key West Fishing Tournament voting Board of Directors

Registration for the “Bonus Division”

You must register at the Captain’s Meeting, March 16^th (at the Double Tree Grand Key Resort in Key West) between 6-8pm.

Once registration closes, the field is set.

The total number of “Bonus Species” registrations, 2^nd paying position and total amounts to be awarded will be posted on the Key West Fishing Tournament website after the Captain’s Meeting, the 16^th of March.

Final rules will be briefed at the Captain’s meeting and a copy provided to all registrants.

The Key West Fishing Tournament would like to welcome Dream Catcher Charters aboard as our primary sponsor for 2012!

Capt Steve Lamp and his “fleet” of boats is a perfect match for the format that the Key West Fishing Tournament operates on. From Back Country to Blue Water they cover it all. As a matter of fact, it doesn’t have to be all about the fishing. They also have combination fishing/snorkeling trips so that you can make the entire family happy!

Capt Steve can’t be in all places at one time, so he’s assembled a Crew of Qualified Captains that he has hand selected and trained for the level of fishing knowledge that he expects. You know that regardless of the trip or boat you select, you are getting one of the highest qualified Captains in the Keys.

Dream Catcher Charters is committed to the success of your fishing experience and our fishery, which is in line with the Key West Fishing Tournament’s philosophy.

Fishing is supposed to be fun, and is best when shared with friends and family. All of the Captains at Dream Catcher Charters are registered with the Key West Fishing Tournament and will assist you with filling out the paperwork to record your catch, be it a weighed catch or released.

We consider ourselves fortunate to call Dream Catcher Charters our Sponsor!

I’ve recieved several emails and phone calls about the photos, and here they are!

You can also just follow the Photo Tab from the main menu of the Homepage. If you have any that you would like to have me add to the Gallery, please send them and I’ll make sure they get posted!

Now it’s time to look forward to the Key West Fishing Tournament Kick-Off Event with our new sponsors, Dream Catcher Charters and Signs Unlimited!

  The Date is Set…So Get Ready to Kick-Off the

Key West Fishing Tournament

    On Saturday, March 17th and the final fishing day on the 18th!

   Captains Meeting will be held on Friday the 16th from 6-8pm at the 

Doubletree Grand Key Resort in Key West!

Registration is $200 per boat and covers up to 6 anglers. We’ll be fishing for 15 different species worth $5000 in Cash Awards!

Click Here For More Information

Just in case you missed it when you were checking the Results Page, there is a page that has been built that shows you the final standings for the KWFT Registered Guides and the Guide Achievement Awards. Click on this text to be taken directly to it!