Jimmy Johnson National Billfish Championship Set for March 1-3

KEY LARGO, Florida Keys -– Two-time Super Bowl winning coach Jimmy Johnson is to combine two of his favorite sports, football and fishing, during his namesake “Quest for the Ring” National Billfish Championship March 1-3 in the Florida Keys.

Along with some of the sport’s toughest billfish competitors, the team event is to attract notable NFL players and University of Miami college greats to target sailfish and other billfish species.

“What's better than enjoying fishing with NFL players and coaches, both current and former greats, while raising money for charity?” said Johnson, who makes his home in the Keys and is an analyst on “Fox NFL Sunday.”

A captains meeting and kick-off party are planned for Thursday, March 1, at Johnson’s Fisherman’s Cove, a residence club at mile marker 104 bayside in Key Largo and home to the Big Chill bar, restaurant and cabana complex in the Upper Keys. The venue is to serve as tournament headquarters.

Fishing is scheduled Friday and Saturday, March 2-3. A sunset happy hour, dinner and poker party follow Friday’s fishing and an evening awards ceremony and live auction concludes the event on Saturday.

Cash prizes await the first- through third-place boats. All anglers on the winning boat receive authentic, custom-designed Jimmy Johnson’s NBC Championship rings.

Registration is $5,000 for a team of six and includes admission to all social events, a variety of apparel, fishing merchandise and more.

Anglers who want to participate in the event, but do not own a boat or prefer to travel to the tournament without one, can book one of the professional charter boat operators in the Upper Keys.

The prestigious event benefits the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame, the Ray Lewis Family Foundation that helps at-risk youths and families, and the Ted Hendricks Foundation that awards grants and scholarships to both youths and seniors.

Tournament information: www.jimmyjohnsonbillfishchampionship.com
Key Largo visitor information: www.fla-keys.com/keylargo or 800-822-1088
Florida Keys Fishing information: www.fla-keys.com/fishing
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