Annual Charity Sailfish Tournament

The 10th annual World Sailfish Championship is right around the corner - that means it is time for elite saltwater anglers and celebrities from around the world to head down to the Florida Keys to compete in this amazing tournament.

This release tournament differs from others by combining three days of intense fishing, social and charity events and the number of celebrities that participate. This year's cast of celebrity anglers includes baseball great Johnny Bench, five-time American League batting champion Wade Boggs, wrestler "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan and legendary anglers Stu Apte and Norm Isaacs.

This annual event starts Tuesday, April 17, with a last call for registration from 1-5p.m. and a mandatory captain's meeting for 5:30p.m. at tournament headquarters in Mallory Square. After the Captain's meeting the opening ceremonies will begin, including a color guard presentations, military flyover and a kick-off party with entertainment by Howard Livingston.

The competition starts Wednesday, April 18, with lines in the water at 8a.m. and lines-out by 3:30p.m. then back out on the water same time on Thursday, April 19. Friday is a nonfishing "lay day" before anglers hit the water on Saturday at 8a.m. for the final day of competition with lines-out at 2p.m.

The social side of this event includes a charity party with silent and live auctions to benefit the Kettle Comfort Cooking for America, the World Sailfish Championship Charitable Foundation and the Rotary Club of Key West. The tournament awards banquet will be presented by Westin's Sunset Guest Cottages. Both events take place at Mallory Square.

Tournament chairman and founder Chris King predicts that the overall purse for this year's tournament should exceed $1 million, as it has in past years.

The $7,700 (plus tax) entry fee covers five anglers and a captain, six VIP social passes and six gift bags.