| MARATHON, Florida Keys - The sixth annual Captain Leon Shell Memorial Billfish Tournament, set for Friday and Saturday, Feb. 20-21, offers a large cash purse and awards for multiple offshore species.
A cash purse of approximately $5,000 is to be awarded to the boat that catches and releases the most billfish during the single day of fishing. Individual highpoint anglers in first through third places are to receive plaques, while trophies are to be awarded for dolphin, wahoo, tuna and kingfish catches.
Shell, whose memory the tournament honors, was a well-known lure maker and fishing captain who moved to Marathon in 1978. As well as operating the charterboat Puffin, he was known for the Leon Lure. He died seven years ago after losing a battle with cancer.
The billfish tournament benefits Hospice of the Keys, an organization that held a special place in Shell's life.
Pre-registration is required by 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, at tournament headquarters, the Key Colony Beach Marina, mile marker 54.5 oceanside, or at the Quarterdeck Restaurant located at 400 Key Colony Beach Causeway.
Entry fee is $150 for one angler and boat and $50 for each additional angler. Up to four lines may be fished at one time.
Lines in is at 8 a.m. Saturday morning, and lines out is to be called at 3:30 p.m. The awards dinner and a silent auction are scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Quarterdeck Restaurant.
For more information, contact James Allen at 305-743-3804 or e-mail jallen@k eysconnection.com.
To find out about area accommodations, call the Marathon Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-842-9580 or 305-743-5417, or explore this Web site. |
