Key West Dolphin Derby - The Key West Dolphin Derby is held every June for three days towards the end of the month. Anglers compete for
Dolphin fish (mahi-mahi) and enjoy a banquet at the end of the day which features filets caught by contestants.
Mostly big sportfisher boats compete for prizes and recognition but smaller boats are known to try their skills
as well. There's an entry fee which covers banquet dinner at a top resort in town. Prizes total more than
thirty large, plus trophies. It's held at Kings Pointe Marina on Stock Island. Officially called the Key
West Gator Club Dolphin Derby, proceeds go to the Gator Club, which provides scholarship funds for students
attending the University of Florida.
Entry price is $150 per person. For that price, you get to compete for prizes and get dinner at Kings Pointe
Marina on Saturday night, plus cocktails, cash bar, buffet dinner and awards ceremony on Sunday night at the
DoubleTree Resort in Key West. Prizes range from $1000 cash for first prize to a picture (of a tarpon!) and a gift card to the local supermarket for third prize. There is a ladies division and a junior division, as well as the overall category for prizes. Dolphin are supposed to be plentiful near Key West at this time of year (summer) and can usually be found anywhere from just off the reef to miles and miles out beyond, offshore on the ocean side. They travel with the blue water and boats troll for miles and miles to look for them. This is a gas-burner, folks!
Kings Point is located at 5950 Peninsula Ave on Stock Island, which is next to Key West, just over the bridge
. Registration and rules meeting is on the Friday evening of the weekend. Lines in the water from 8 am to
3:30pm on Saturday and Sunday. Weigh-ins are at 5:30 on both days, at Kings Pointe.
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