Florida Tourism and Travel

Islamorada, Florida Keys - Islamorada’s rich sportfishing heritage is to be highlighted during the Islamorada Sportfishing Festival set for Friday, Sept. 26, through Sunday, Sept. 28, and based at Robbie’s of Islamorada, mile marker 77.5. Presented by Cheeca Lodge & Spa, the weekend event is to offer up a cornucopia of activities for offshore and backcountry fishing enthusiasts and their families, according to organizer Tammie Gurgiolo. “Islamorada is recognized as the Sportfishing Capital of the World,” said Gurgiolo. “The festival showcases the area’s natural resources and the sportfishing professionals who have formed the backbone of Islamorada’s reputation.” An exhibition of marine art, sportfishing industry vendors, angling seminars, lectures and a family fishing derby are some of the events on tap, she said.

Friday night’s kickoff begins the weekend with a meet and greet of artists and captains as well as the launch of the ESPN Outdoors Family Fishing Derby. Another featured activity that evening is an induction ceremony for the Islamorada Sportfishing Hall of Fame.

Saturday shapes up to be a full day of fishing seminars and the exhibition. A live auction of art and sportfishing merchandise, angling trips and hotels stays is set for late afternoon Saturday with proceeds benefiting various charitable causes.

Sunday is to conclude the fishing derby, which features merchandise prizes for top finishers and most outstanding single catch. A highlight of the festival is a driver’s license number match game providing the winner an opportunity to win $50 a week in gasoline for a decade.

Tickets to the festival are $10 per person for the entire weekend. Entry fee for the Derby is $100 per family with a maximum of four anglers, and includes four festival tickets. For more information, call (305) 852-9337.

Additional sponsors of the event include Island Villa, Islamorada Outfitters, Blue Marlin Jewelry, the Islamorada Guides Association and the Islamorada Charterboat Association.

For the first time in the Big Game Room’s brief, but successful history, CABO Yachts, a leading world-class sportfishing yacht company, is joining renowned publications, Marlin and Sport Fishing Magazine, in sponsorship of the event. “The Big Game Room at the Miami International Boat Show has become one of the best big game fishing exhibits in the world,” states Jim Renfrow, v.p. sales and marketing of CABO Yachts. “With our shared passion for big game fishing, it is only natural for CABO Yachts to be part of this event. And, standing side-by-side with Marlin and Sport Fishing magazines, we could not be in better company.”

The Big Game Room will serve as an information and registration area for the new CABO CUP, which is an award presented by MarineMax and CABO Yachts, to the CABO owner who scores the most points by participating in designated fishing tournaments in Florida. Additionally, there will be a large assortment of CABO Cargo for sale; the official gear of CABO Yachts. CABO Yachts will also have representatives on-hand to answer questions and to distribute product literature highlighting their expansive collection of both express and flybridge models. CABO Yachts will have it­s entire line of sportsfishers from 32-52 feet at its in-water display located on pier 5 of the Sea Isle Marina, at 1635 N. Bayshore Drive.

And More Boat Shows

The 20th annual Yacht & Brokerage Show, February 14-18, 2008, along the Indian Creek Waterway and Collins Avenue in Miami Beach, announces a host of new features designed to enhance attendees overall boat show experience.

“Our main priority is to address the needs and desires of boat buyers in the best possible way, even before they set foot at the show.” said Andrew Doole, Vice President of Show Management, producers of the event. “The changes and improvements we are incorporating range from the show’s online presence to the in-water displays.”

Islamorada, Florida Keys - The eighth annual Don Gurgiolo Sailfish Classic is slated for Friday through Sunday, Dec. 7-9, in Islamorada. The tournament honors the late Captain Don Gurgiolo for his more than 50 years of fishing in the Keys.

The weekend of sailfishing is to start with registration at 5 p.m. Friday at Holiday Isle Resort & Marina Quarter Deck, mile marker 84 oceanside. Cocktails follow at 5:30 p.m., and the captains meeting is set for 6 p.m.

Fishing on Saturday is scheduled to run from lines in at 8 a.m. to lines out at 4 p.m. A standings party at Mickey Rat’s, dockside at Holiday Isle Marina, is set for 5-7 p.m.

Sunday’s fishing runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., followed by 6:30 p.m. beachside cocktails and an awards dinner at 7:30 p.m.

Boat teams compete in the all-release tournament, but individual awards also are to be presented for the most outstanding catch and largest kingfish, tuna and dolphin, among others. This year’s winners qualify for the IGFA Offshore Championships in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, in 2008.

First- through third-place winners also have a chance for cash and prizes in the “High Five Money Bags” contest.

Proceeds from a silent auction and raffle at the Don Gurgiolo Sailfish Classic benefit Montessori Island Charter School.

Gurgiolo was one of the pioneers of fishing offshore with live ballyhoo, the primary technique used today. He was captain of the Gonfishin’ charter boats until he retired and sold the Gonfishin’ V in 1995. The well-liked skipper died in 1999.

Tournament entry fee is $495 for the first angler aboard a vessel and $450 for each additional angler on that vessel. Up to four anglers can fish per boat.

For more information and registration, call (305) 852-9337.

To find out about area accommodations, call the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce at (305) 664-4503 or (800) 322-5397, or visit the Florida Keys & Key West Web site at www.fla-keys.com.