MARATHON, Florida Keys – Anglers have a golden opportunity to fish for charity during the silver anniversary of the Faro Blanco Invitational Tarpon Tournament, set for May 18-23.
The angling challenge with a 25-year history of fish tales and foolery helps fund the Ronald McDonald Summer Camp program for disabled youngsters.
Tournament events kick off Wednesday, May 18, with welcome cocktails at 6:30 p.m. at Key Colony Inn, 700 W. Ocean Drive in Key Colony Beach. Dinner is to follow at 7:30 p.m., featuring the tournament’s drawing for captains.
Anglers fish with a different captain each evening, in what has become a popular tournament format.
Thursday, a meet-the-captains gathering with food and soft drinks is scheduled for 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Key Colony Inn.
Thursday and Friday night’s tarpon fishing is set for 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Saturday is a free day for all participants and Sunday, May 22, fishing again runs 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Cocktails are set for 9 p.m. at Key Colony Inn, to be followed by the awards dinner.
Daily and overall tournament cash prizes are to be awarded to first- through fourth-place teams with the highest point totals, as well as to the top five captains.
A $500 bounty awaits the angler who catches the last legal tarpon of the tournament if it breaks the current 184-tarpon record of the catch-and-release event’s history. The prize is split with the angler’s teammate(s) and captain.
Entry fee is $1,350 for three nights of fishing per boat, which includes all activities plus the captain, boat, bait and tackle, and Florida fishing license. Daily and nonfishing entries also are available.
Specially priced “silver anniversary” tournament accommodations are being offered at Indigo Reef Marina Homes Resort located at 11600 First Ave. gulfside.
Event information: www.faroblancotarpon.com
