Florida the Site of Showdowns for 40th Islamorada Women's Sailfish Tournament

The 40th annual Islamorada Women’s Sailfish Tournament took place from January 31 to February 2, delivering an exhilarating competition with 52 sailfish releases, including multiple quads and triple hookups. This milestone event was hosted for the first time by Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing (LLGF), a well-known organization dedicated to teaching and empowering women in the sport of fishing. Participants fished from their own boats or aboard chartered vessels.

A Tight Race to the Finish

The competition was fierce from the start. On Day One, Tunnel Vision took an early lead with four sailfish releases, followed closely by Caribsea with four releases while Kay K IV had one. However, on Day Two, the sailfish bite intensified, setting up an exciting showdown between Kay K IV and Caribsea for first place.
 

In a dramatic finish, just two minutes before lines out, Caribsea landed a crucial double-header, including a release by Jolene Chandler of Jacksonville, FL, who had never released a sailfish prior to the tournament. This final push secured Caribsea’s victory with eleven sailfish releases, while Kay K IV claimed second place with eight releases. Silent Hunter took third place, earning High Point Angler honors for Alysha Aratari, who logged an impressive eight sailfish releases and was awarded a 14K gold sailfish pendant from Depaula Jewelers.
 

Tournament Winners

• First Place Team: Caribsea (11 sailfish releases) – Capt. Kenny Spaulding, Islamorada, FL
• Second Place Team: Kay K IV (8 sailfish releases) – Capt. Dave Galen, Islamorada, FL
• Third Place Team: Silent Hunter (8 sailfish releases) – Capt. BJ Meyer, Marathon, FL
• High Point Angler: Alysha Aratari, Marathon, FL (8 releases on Silent Hunter with Capt. BJ Meyer)
• Top Mahi: Nicole Edwards, Tavernier, FL (10.93 lbs. on Send It with Capt. Mike Edwards)
• Top Kingfish: Madison Ryan, Tavernier, FL (11.53 lbs. on Kay K IV with Capt. David Galen)
• Top Tuna: Merida Garrell, Tavernier, FL (10 lbs. on Bottom’d Out with Capt. Josh Krieg)

The tournament upholds a strong commitment to conservation, ensuring all sailfish are released and limiting fishing to 20 lb. test line. Tammie Gurgiolo, who has served as Tournament Director for the past 29 years, helped transition the event to its new host, LLGF.
 

Betty Bauman, LLGF Founder and Tournament Director, remarked: “Half of the anglers on the top two boats had never released a sailfish before. This tournament proves that whether you're a seasoned angler or a beginner, the excitement is unmatched!”
 

High Point Angler Alysha Aratari shared her enthusiasm: “Winning High Point Angler was a dream come true!”
 

The event featured a kickoff party and awards ceremony at Safe Harbor Angler House in Islamorada, FL, along with a networking event at Sea La Vie Beach Boutique.

The LLGF series is supported by major partners including Recreational Fishing and Boating Foundation, Take Me Fishing, Vamos a Pescar, Mercury, Magic Tilt trailers, Shearwater Boats, Power-Pole, Penn, TACO Metals, Lowrance, Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida and Fish Florida. Largest Annual Sponsors are Freedom Boat Club, ICOM, CCA Florida STAR, Bob’s Machine Shop, AFTCO, Smith Optics, Frogg Toggs, Hubbards Marina, Star Brite, Future Angler Foundation and Big Rock Sports Conservation Foundation. Local sponsors were Art by Pasta Pantaleo, Sunset Inn, Safe Harbor Angler House, Sea La Vie Beach Boutique, Depaula Jewelers, Bites on the Bay, Whale Harbor Marina and Monroe County Tourist Development Council.

Upcoming 2025 LLGF events, with two more events in the Keys and optional on-water fishing are:

• March 1 Freshwater Bass Seminar South Florida Dania Beach, FL
• March 15-16 South Gulf Coast Saltwater Weekend Inshore Seminar Fort Myers, FL
• April 11-13 Florida Saltwater Offshore Weekend Seminar Fort Lauderdale, FL
• May 16-18 Keys Fishing Screamin’ Reels Learning on the Water Islamorada, FL
• June 4-9 Isla Mujeres, Mexico Fishing
• August 14-20 Azores Fishing
• Sept. 19-20 Guy Harvey Outpost Bass Seminar & Tournament Camp Mack, Lake Wales, FL
• Oct. 17-19 Keys Saltwater Weekend Seminar, fishing and Fishing Fever Tournament, Islamorada, FL
• Nov. 22-23 St. Augustine Surf Fishing Academy Guy Harvey Resort