KEY WEST, Florida Keys — Anglers targeting dolphin fish can compete for more than $30,000 in guaranteed cash, prizes and trophies during the 21st annual Key West Gator Club Dolphin Derby, scheduled June 25-27 to coincide with the height of the Florida Keys dolphin fishing season. Tournament events are to be based at Key West Harbour Yacht Club, 6000 Peninsular Ave. The boat team with the largest aggregate weight in dolphin during the derby’s two fishing days will take home a grand prize of $5,000 cash. The second-place team will earn $2,500, while $1,000 awaits the third-place finishers. As well as the team prizes, individuals in the tournament’s divisions for male, female and junior participants can compete for trophies, prizes and cash totaling more than $20,000. The angler who catches the single largest dolphin is to receive a cash prize of $2,500. New for the 2010 tournament is the Edward Jones 50-pound Challenge. In this voluntary–entry competition, the first participant who reaches the dock with a dolphin weighing 50 pounds earns an additional cash prize estimated at $3,000. Each participating angler is allowed to enter one qualifying fish on each of the tournament’s fishing days. Tournament events begin with a final registration at 6 p.m. Friday, June 25, at Key West Harbour Yacht Club, followed by a rules meeting and dinner. Fishing is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 26 and 27, with weigh-ins at Key West Harbour until 5:30 p.m. each day. A tournament dinner at the club, provided by Outback Steakhouse, is set for Saturday night. Sunday’s post-fishing schedule features a cocktail party with a cash bar, full buffet dinner and final awards ceremony beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Doubletree Grand Key Resort, 3990 S. Roosevelt Blvd. Proceeds from the dolphin derby benefit Gator Club scholarship funds for local students attending the University of Florida.

Tournament entry fees are $150 per adult angler and $75 per junior angler under age 14. For more information and registration forms, call John Stuempfig at 305-304-7674 or e-mail.

For lodging information in Key West, contact the Key West Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-LAST-KEY (800-527-8539), or explore this website.