Close your eyes and think of your favorite game fish, then match it with whatever style you most enjoy – spin, plug, fly or deep-sea tackle. I guarantee there's at least one tournament (and more likely dozens) in Florida that matches exactly what you desire. Nowhere else in the world can you find tournaments from bonefish to bass to blue marlin and nearly everything in between.

Tournaments are about much more than who wins or loses. Most offer kickoff parties, auctions and banquets, all providing a camaraderie of good spirit and fun. Even better, many tournaments earmark proceeds to charities.

The following events illustrate the wide appeal and varied formats available.


Ocean Reef Club-Bonefish & Tarpon Unlimited Backbone Classic

 Yep, it's a mouthful of a title, but virtually everyone who fishes this annual extravaganza is flush with praise. Held at the exclusive Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo, everyone's treated to lavish banquets featuring carved prime rib, lobster, stone crab and jumbo shrimp - and we're talking all of those items in the same buffet!

The target species include bonefish, tarpon, permit and trout, and prize categories reward individuals and teams. It's an all-release format, with extra points going to those who tag each released bonefish. The auction is a spectacle in itself, offering paintings by renowned marine artists, spectacular resort trips throughout the world, autographed sports memorabilia, guided offshore and light-tackle trips, and a mind-boggling array of tackle and gear. The most recent event, hosted by Curt Gowdy, raised $150,000 for conservation charities.

Is it possible to win more than $150,000 just by going fishing? You bet your boat shoes.

World's Richest Tarpon Tournament

 Is it possible to win more than $150,000 just by going fishing? You bet your boat shoes. This shootout is the granddaddy of all tarpon tournaments, drawing anglers from literally around the world to Boca Grande on Florida's lower Gulf coast.

What makes this event unique is the use of a barge kept near Boca Grande Pass where all the action takes place. When an angler captures a tarpon, the crew carefully brings the fish to the barge and it goes into a sling in the water where it's quickly weighed and released. Get the details by calling 941-964-0568 or visit www.worldsrichesttarpon.com.


Light-Tackle Invitational Sailfish Tournament

 What began in 1953 as a simple club event held each December has grown into one of the most prestigious big-boat tournaments in the nation. It's limited to 50 boats or 120 anglers, all bound to an all-release conservation ethic.

The venerable Stuart Sailfish Club is one of the oldest in the nation, having started in 1941 to promote conservation of game fish and to encourage visitors to fish in Martin County waters. Call 772-286-9373 or check their website at www.stuartsailfishclub.com.


Destin Fishing Rodeo

 Slap on your spurs and take part during this month-long tourney. Prize categories include amberjack, yellowfin and blackfin tuna, sailfish, marlin, kingfish, wahoo, grouper, red snapper and seemingly endless prizes – all adding up to lots of happy winners.

Destin, which is halfway between Panama City and Pensacola, features city-sponsored festivals, parties and updates on daily and overall winners. Best of all, entry is free if you fish aboard a boat registered in the tournament or from a pier, bridge, jetty or surf. And when not competing, who wouldn't enjoy beaches so powdery that it crunches between your toes? To saddle up in the Rodeo, call 850-837-6734 or visit www.destinfishingrodeo.org.

If those events don't ignite your competitive spirit, go the Events portion of this Web site and search under Fishing Events. A listing of the more interesting fresh- and saltwater tournaments will be available.
Whatever events you choose, the fact remains that whether you're after serious competition or light-hearted family events, Florida has them all.