2025 Champions

Angler Dave Preston
Captain Luis Cortes
6,414 Points

62nd Annual Gold Cup Invitational Fly Fishing Tarpon Tournament
June 16-20, 2025
Islamorada, Florida Keys

Press Release:
The 62nd Annual Gold Cup Invitational Tarpon Fly Fishing Tournament is one of the most prestigious fly fishing events worldwide, recognized by anglers everywhere who chase the elusive Silver King. Often called the “World Series” or “Super Bowl” of tarpon fishing, the tournament features five days of respected and competitive angling. This year proved decent weather and fishing, with a handful of teams reaching their 5 weight fish limit, adding some real suspense to the week.

Anglers were able to pull in a total of 81 fish during the five-day stretch, consisting of 36 Release and 45 Weight Fish, resulting in an increase to last year’s 57 fish. Teams of Anglers and Guides compete for various trophy and sponsor-donated items. The real honor is for the overall winning team to have their names added to the 62-year-old perpetual trophy. The historic GCTT trophy is showcased locally at The Florida Keys Outfitters.

Fourth time Grand Champion Angler, Dave Preston from Miami, FL, and Guide to Grand Champion, Capt. Luis Cortes, earned their Grand Championship title with 7369 points, consisting of 6 Release Fish and 5 Weight Fish for the week. Preston and Cortes’s Weight Fish weighed in at 116.6, 98.2, 122.4, 131.7, and 87.8 pounds. In the spirit of great sportsmanship, Preston and Cortes weighed in on what it means to them to fish in a competitive field and succeed. Dave Preston emphasized “It’s Luis and my great honor to be able to participate in the Gold Cup every year. The rich 62-year history, elite level of competition, challenging late-season fishing and lifetime friendships always make it the highlight of our year. This year was no exception and in addition to a competitive tournament with great weather, high scores, and plenty of big fish still around Islamorada, were extremely pleased to continue our recent streak of successful fishing. Big congratulations to all of this year’s winners, the sponsors, and especially to the organizers for pulling off another great event.” Capt. Luis Cortes affirmed “As an Islamorada tarpon guide, to me the Gold Cup has always been the top of the mountain, and to have now reached it four times in the last five years is hard to even comprehend. I’m extremely grateful to my family, friends, and the opportunities that have led Dave and I to this point. We are already looking forward to competing in another amazing event next year.”

First Runner Up Angler, Julian Robertson from Jupiter, FL, and Guide, Capt. Rob Fordyce, earned a total of 6414 points. Robertson and Fordyce remained consistent all week, catching 1 release fish and 5 weight fish weighing 97.5, 124.1, 176.5, 120.7, and 92.6 pounds. Besides reaching their 5 weight fish limit, Robertson and Fordyce set an all-tournament record for the biggest weight fish ever recorded in any of the tarpon fly tournaments. The fish weighed 176.5 pounds and also won Robertson and Fordyce the Largest Tarpon Award for this year!

Second Runner Up Angler, Chalmers Allen from Beaufort, SC, and his Guide, Capt. Jayce Chamizo, earned Second Runner-Up with 4794 points. Allen caught a total of 5 Weight Fish weighing 111, 84.5, 74, 100.4, and 109.5 pounds.

Angler Ed Young and Capt. Richard Black earned the award of Most Releases—bringing in 7 total release fish for the week!

The 63rd Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament will take place June 22-26, 2026. For
additional information, including current results and sponsors, please visit the
website at www.GoldCupTT.com.

Tournament Format & Official Rules

The Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament is an all release fly-fishing format using 16lb test IGFA specifications unless otherwise superseded by the official tournament rules. Five weight fish (70 pounds minimum) can be measured for “weight” points with 10 points awarded per pound.