The 2026 Southwest Florida tournament season runs February through November, anchored by the 26th Sarasota Slam (weigh-in June 6 at Marina Jack), the World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament at Boca Grande Pass (May 13–14), and the 92nd Suncoast Tarpon Roundup — the world’s longest-running tarpon tournament. Every major SWFL tarpon event is release-only, because Florida law makes tarpon catch-and-release statewide.
Dates below were verified against organizer sites in July 2026. Schedules shift — confirm on the linked event page before you enter or show up to watch.
What are the 2026 fishing tournament dates in Sarasota and SWFL?
| Tournament | 2026 dates | Location / HQ | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Waterman (fly-only redfish, C&R) | Feb 20–21 | West coast FL, Sanibel → Crystal River | Tampa Bay Waterkeeper |
| Spring Suncoast Kingfish Classic (SKA Div. 6) | Apr 9–11; weigh-in Apr 11, 3 PM | SkyBeach Resort, St. Petersburg | Suncoast Classic Events |
| Old Salt Spring King of the Beach (33rd) | Apr 30 – May 2; weigh-in May 2 | Madeira Beach Rec Complex | Old Salt Fishing Foundation |
| Ladies’ Day Tarpon Tournament | May 9 | Boca Grande | Boca Grande Chamber |
| World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament | May 13–14 | Boca Grande Pass | Boca Grande Chamber |
| CCA Florida STAR (12th) | May 23 – Sep 7 | Statewide incl. SWFL | CCA Florida |
| Sarasota Slam (26th) | May 29 – Jun 6; weigh-in Jun 6, 12–4 PM | Marina Jack, Sarasota | Suncoast Builders Association |
| Howl at the Moon Tarpon Tournament | May 30; Ladies Night Out Jun 20 | Boca Grande | Gasparilla Island Maritime Museum |
| Suncoast Tarpon Roundup (92nd) | 10-week all-release season, May–Jul | Pasco → Sarasota county waters | Suncoast Tarpon Roundup |
| Sarasota Tarpon Tournament | Season-long release format (confirm dates on site) | Sarasota waters | Sarasota Tarpon Tournament |
| Gasparilla Island Kids Classic | Jun 6 | Boca Grande | Boca Grande Chamber |
| Red Gill Invitational | Jun 13 | Boca Grande | William Woodroffe |
| Flatsmasters Tournament Series | Season series; schedule on site | Punta Gorda / Charlotte Harbor | Flatsmasters |
| Old Salt Fall King of the Beach | Nov, dates TBA | Madeira Beach | Old Salt Fishing Foundation |
Boca Grande chamber-event dates come from the Boca Beacon’s 2026 master tarpon schedule.
What is the Sarasota Slam?
The Slam is Sarasota’s hometown big-fish event, run by the Suncoast Builders Association for 26 years. The 2026 edition opens with a kickoff party May 29, holds offshore and inshore captains meetings June 4, and finishes with the public weigh-in and awards at Marina Jack on June 6, 12–4 PM. Offshore and inshore divisions mean everything from kingfish and dolphin to snook and redfish hit the board. Full schedule: sarasotaslam.org/schedule.
Spectator tip: the June 6 weigh-in is free to watch and the best fish-gawking afternoon of the Sarasota calendar. Marina Jack is also home port of the Flying Fish Fleet — see the charter captains directory if watching turns into wanting.
What tarpon tournaments run at Boca Grande in 2026?
Boca Grande Pass — roughly 20,000 tarpon at peak — carries a full tournament slate every May–June:
- Ladies’ Day Tarpon Tournament — May 9, Boca Grande Chamber of Commerce.
- World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament — May 13–14. The marquee Pass event; two days of fleet fishing over the deepest hole on the coast.
- Howl at the Moon — May 30, run by the Gasparilla Island Maritime Museum, with a party June 19 and Ladies Night Out June 20.
- Gasparilla Island Kids Classic — June 6.
- Red Gill Invitational — June 13.
All release-only. If you want a charter during tournament weeks, book months ahead — details on how in our guide to choosing a fishing charter.
What is the Suncoast Tarpon Roundup?
The 92nd Suncoast Tarpon Roundup bills itself as the world’s longest-running tarpon tournament: a 10-week, 24/7, all-release season across the Gulf and inland waters of Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, and Sarasota counties in the May–July window, plus a kids tournament and awards banquet. Beneficiaries are Mote Marine and Task Force Dagger. Entry and rules: suncoasttarponroundup.org. Sarasota also runs its own season-long release event, the Sarasota Tarpon Tournament.
Season-long release formats are the low-pressure way into tournament fishing: fish whenever the tarpon show, on your own boat or a guide’s, all summer.
Can kids fish a tournament in 2026?
Two clean entry points:
- CCA Florida STAR — May 23 to September 7, statewide. As of its 12th year STAR is exclusively for youth ages 6–17, with scholarships, boats, and prizes on the line. Info: ccaflstar.com and the CCA Florida event page.
- Gasparilla Island Kids Classic — June 6 at Boca Grande.
The Suncoast Tarpon Roundup’s kids tournament is a third option inside its 10-week season.
What kingfish and inshore series run near Sarasota?
- Suncoast Kingfish Classic (SKA Division 6), April 9–11 out of St. Petersburg — captains party April 9, weigh-in April 11 at 3 PM. SKA listing: fishska.com.
- Old Salt King of the Beach, spring (April 30 – May 2) and fall (November) editions at Madeira Beach — the spring event runs about $300K in cash and prizes across a huge amateur field.
- Flatsmasters Series — redfish/snook flats series out of Punta Gorda and Charlotte Harbor, schedule at flatsmasters.com.
- The Waterman — fly-only, catch-and-release redfish, February 20–21, benefiting Tampa Bay Waterkeeper.
What are the tarpon tournament rules on handling fish?
Florida law, not just tournament rules: tarpon are catch-and-release only statewide, and any tarpon over 40 inches must remain in the water. The $51.50 tarpon tag exists solely for IGFA record pursuit. Current regs: FWC saltwater regulations — verify current rules before you fish.
Best-practice handling, per Bonefish & Tarpon Trust:
- Fight fish short and hard on heavy tackle, especially in warm water — exhausted tarpon feed sharks, a Boca Grande–specific problem.
- Wet hands, support head and belly, never touch gills.
- Revive by moving the fish forward until it swims off upright.
- Set up photos before lifting; a fish that isn’t still dripping has been out too long.
FAQ
How do I find tournaments not on this list?
Two rolling calendars: the Florida Sportsman tournament calendar and the SKA schedule for kingfish events.
Do I need a fishing license to fish a tournament?
Yes, unless you’re fishing from a licensed charter (clients are covered) or otherwise exempt. Anyone 16+ needs a Florida saltwater license — $17/year resident, $17 for a nonresident 3-day. Buy at GoOutdoorsFlorida.
Can spectators watch the weigh-ins?
Yes. Sarasota Slam weigh-in: Marina Jack, June 6, 12–4 PM, free. Boca Grande Pass tournaments are watchable from the fleet’s edge by boat or from Gasparilla Island’s south end.
Can I hire a guide to fish a tournament with me?
Standard practice, especially at Boca Grande. Expect peak-season Pass rates ($800–$1,400 for tarpon trips) plus entry fees. Start with the charter captains directory.
Why are all the tarpon tournaments release-only?
State law since 2013 — tarpon harvest is prohibited and fish over 40 inches stay in the water. The fishery is worth far more swimming, and the science behind release standards comes from Bonefish & Tarpon Trust and Mote Marine, both beneficiaries of local events.
Related: book the right boat for tournament season with our guide to choosing a fishing charter, find every working captain in the charter captains directory, and read up on the target species: tarpon, snook, and redfish.
