Sept. 29-Oct. 2: IGFA Permit Invitational. Lower Keys.
Presented by the International Game Fish Association, this fly-fishing tournament celebrates permit and promotes the group’s angling ethics and programs. Events are based at The Hilton Key West Resort & Marina on Stock Island.
Oct. 2-3: Fall Backcountry Fly Championship. Islamorada.
Fly anglers compete to rack up the most combined inches of snook and redfish, with each inch worth a point. Trophies go to the overall champion, the anglers with the largest snook and redfish, and the season-long “King of the Backcountry” series winner. Contact: bfctournament.com
Oct. 8-12: Marathon Offshore Swords and Stripes Tournament. Marathon.
Anglers target big fish for cash and prizes, with divisions for swordfish and wahoo, swordfish only, and wahoo only.
Oct. 16-18: “Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!” Florida Keys Saltwater Weekend Seminar and fishing. Islamorada.
Women anglers spend the weekend building or sharpening their skills at this long-running seminar, paired with optional charter fishing days. Well over 9,000 women have gone through the program’s mix of offshore, bottom, inshore and fly-fishing instruction. Contact: 954-475-9068 · fish@ladiesletsgofishing.com · ladiesletsgofishing.com
Oct. 16-17: Casting for Cats Backcountry Tournament. Islamorada.
Once a women-only event, this tournament now runs co-ed and women’s divisions. Points come from bonefish, permit, tarpon, snook and redfish caught on bait, lures or fly, with extra points for ladyfish, sharks, jacks and spotted sea trout. It remains a key fundraiser for managing the Upper Keys’ feral cat population. Contact: castingforcats.org
Oct. 23-24: Marathon Fire Rescue Wahoo Tournament. Marathon.
Teams compete to land the biggest wahoo, with proceeds benefiting Marathon Fire Rescue. Contact: marathonfirerescue.org
Nov. 12-14: Cheeca Lodge & Spa All-American Backcountry Tournament. Islamorada.
This catch-and-release event over Veterans Day weekend targets snook, redfish, bonefish, tarpon and permit. Originally inspired by President George H.W. Bush, the tournament honors military veterans and directs its proceeds to the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust. Contact: cheeca.com/experience/all-american-fishing-tournament
Nov. 12-14: Sugarloaf Showdown. Sugarloaf Key.
Teams chase bonefish, permit and barracuda in this catch-and-release competition, put on by the Lower Keys Guides Association to benefit the Florida Keys Guides Trust Foundation. Contact: sugarloafshowdown.com
Dec. 5-6: Islamorada Sailfish Tournament. Islamorada.
Kicking off the three-event Florida Keys Gold Cup Championship series, this is the only leg with a division for anglers 16 and under, and boats may enter as many anglers as they like. Contact: islamoradasailfishtournament.com
Dec. 11-13: Islamorada Junior Sailfish Tournament. Islamorada.
The oldest kids’ sailfish tournament in the Keys, open to anglers 16 and under, marks its 62nd year in 2026. Contact: islajuniorsail.org