There are three major (and majorly fun) tournaments on the Bonefish Bonnies Calendar. Each is preceded by an Anglers & Captains Meeting and followed by a celebratory evening event honoring the day’s accomplishments. Anglers are encouraged to send photos. They will be notified as to where photos should be sent for each tournament.
Fishin’ Funatics Tournament,
2/10/2025
This tournament, formerly the “No Rules” Tournament, usually happens in late Jan/Feb. As the name implies, this is a fun tournament where anglers are able to catch anything they can with one hook/one fish, in any kind of boat they want. No angling experience is necessary. Awards cover a wide range of achievements beyond fish size and numbers. The Captains and Anglers Meeting will be held Feb. 9.
Reel Women Love Sails,
3/24/2025
This event, previously known as the “Offshore Tournament,” is a classic blue water contest that typically takes place in
late February/March. Points are earned under IGFA rules. The Captains and Anglers Meeting will be held March 23.
Flats Tournament Fishaway,
4/6 & 4/7
This tournament at the end of the season brings the Bonnies back to the real/reel world and provides an opportunity to compete WITH rules in classic tournament style. This year it will be at Flamingo Lodge, Everglades National Park.
2024 Tournament Winners
Fishin’ Funatics – Offshore
1st – Reel Romance
2nd – Sea Monkey
3rd – Romance
Fishin’ Funatics – Flats
1st – Patty Strunk & Heather Post
2nd – Barbara Olcott & Judy Brand
3rd – Kristina Ersek & Jeannie Schiavone
Reel Women Love Sails – Offshore
1st – Catchin’ Z’s: Jodi Zifferer, Kristina Ersek, Angela Basciano, Cindy Doolan
2nd – Bad Habit: Esther Vazquez, Laura Wilson, Jennifer Leonard, Meg Dieppa
3rd – Joannie Rich, Bonny Gothier, Laney Hinkebein, Molly Lanzon, Kelly French, Jessica Blackie
Flats Tournament
1st – Carol Andrews & Kelly French
2nd – Mona Brewer & Jodi Zifferer
3rd – Kristine Voulgaris & Meg Dieppa
Weather Advisory / Tournament Cancellation Policy
Under any sea conditions a person should consider the size of the boat they are venturing out in as well as its weight, displacement and hull design and perhaps most importantly, the experience of the captain. Each angler is responsible for her own safety and wellbeing. If wind and wave conditions exist that make it uncomfortable for the anglers to fish safely they should head back to port.
As long as there are no Coast Guard small craft advisories or warnings, the tournament will continue, unless in the opinion of the Tournament Committee and Officers of the Bonnies, conditions exist that while less severe than Coast Guard warnings would still constitute a danger to the anglers.
In the event of a Coast Guard small craft advisory or warning or decision from the Committee, the Tournament Chairs will advise all participants that the fishing portion of the tournament has been cancelled via text. This will necessitate that all anglers must have a text/phone on file with the Committee. The awards dinner will be held as planned, as there are contracts to be fulfilled for the venues, cocktails and food.
Should the Tournament have to be cancelled after lines are in, the committee will notify everyone via VHF radio, CH78, at which time lines will be out. If you are fighting a fish at the time of the call, it can be landed if it can be done safely. Any flats boat that is not equipped with a VHF radio should leave a cell phone number with the Tournament Committee so they can be notified. The boats will be required to return to port and hand in score sheets within 90 minutes of the call. Winners will be determined by the scores accumulated to the time of the call.
If the entire fishing portion of the tournament has to be cancelled and cannot be rescheduled, we will still gather to celebrate our fishing heritage and while our fishing prowess may not determine the prize winners, that element of luck that all anglers need will come into play as the winners will be determined by drawing names (from a fishbowl, of course).
Past Tournament Results
2021 RESULTS
Flats Tournament
Fishin’ Funatics Tournament
Offshore Tournament
2020 RESULTS
Flats Tournament (cancelled due to Covid-19 protocols)
No Rules Tournament
Offshore Tournament