Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament
June 15-19, 20262026 will mark the tournament’s 63rd anniversary. The tournament will be held in Islamorada in the Florida Keys. The tournament will fish out of the Lor-e-lei restaurant and marina in Islamorada. The tournament is limited to 25 anglers. Awards will be given for various categories and will consist of artwork by notable wildlife artists, as well as fishing tackle and accessories.
2026 Champions
Record-Breaking Performances Highlight an Incredible Week at the Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament
After five days of intense competition under relentless Florida sunshine and summer heat, anglers and guides put on an unforgettable display of skill, endurance, and sportsmanship at this year’s Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament.
The hot, sunny conditions made for long days on the water, but the action never slowed. Throughout the tournament, competitors landed an impressive 122 tarpon, including 80 release fish and 42 weight fish.
The opening day set the tone for an extraordinary week, producing 20 weight fish, establishing a new tournament record for the most weight fish caught in a single day.
Several outstanding performances highlighted the event:
● Most Releases: Julian Robertson and Capt. Rob Fordyce led the field with 9 release fish, totaling 2,700 release points.
● Largest Tarpon: Mike Criscola and Capt. Brian Helms captured the tournament’s biggest fish, weighing 125.3 pounds.
The final standings were as competitive as ever:
Second Runner-Up: Vern Olson and Capt. Charlie Tindall with 5,244 points
First Runner-Up: Evan Carruthers and Capt. Greg Dini with 5,277 points
2026 Grand Champions: Julian Robertson and Capt. Rob Fordyce claimed the championship with an astounding 8,044 points, setting a new tournament record for the highest point total in Gold Cup history.
Congratulations to all of this year’s anglers and guides for an exceptional week of competition. Despite the challenging summer conditions, participants demonstrated remarkable perseverance, teamwork, and respect for one of fly fishing’s most iconic game fish. The record-setting catches and memorable performances made this year’s Gold Cup one for the history books. Next year’s Gold Cup will take place June 21-25, 2027.
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Welcome to the Gold Cup!
The Legendary Florida Tarpon Fishing Tournament
The Gold Cup Invitational Tarpon tournament is the one of the oldest Tarpon tournaments in the United States. The Gold Cup has been referred to as the “Wimbledon” or “World Series” of tarpon fishing. The Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament is known worldwide, wherever anglers pursue the Silver King with a fly. The Gold Cup is an all release, fly fishing invitational that has attracted many premier fly fishermen and guides throughout its 56 year history. The tournament participants range from the expert to the novice who is trying to improve his fishing skills. All participants share one common interest – a passion for tarpon fishing.
The Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament
2026 will mark the tournament’s 63rd anniversary. The tournament will be held in Islamorada in the Florida Keys. The tournament will fish out of the Lor-e-lei restaurant and marina in Islamorada. The tournament is limited to 25 anglers. Awards will be given for various categories and will consist of artwork by notable wildlife artists, as well as fishing tackle and accessories.
The Grand Champion will also have his name engraved on the perpetual trophy alongside past champions that read like the who’s who of saltwater fly fishing. The entry includes reservations for the tournament banquets for you and your guide. The angler is responsible for obtaining and paying his guide. Part of the proceeds from the tournament will go to benefit the Guides Trust Foundation of the Florida Keys.
This is a competition, but it is between the angler and one of the world’s greatest fighting fish – the tarpon. Great camaraderie and great fishing have lead to many life-long friendships being established at the Gold Cup. This is a fun tournament in the beautiful Florida Keys, fishing with fellow “tarpon addicts” for one of the truly great game fish. It just doesn’t get any better. If you are a seasoned tarpon angler or a novice trying to become one, e-mail us for more information.
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.
Tournament Heritage & History
A Florida Keys Fishing Tradition since 1964The Gold Cup Tarpon Tournament began in 1964. The tournament was first held in Islamorada in the Florida Keys and has been hosted there ever since. The Gold Cup was originally a spin, plug and fly format and was started with the help of baseball hall of famer Ted Williams.
