How to win a fishing tournament on Florida's Gulf Coast

This collection of stories highlights significant fishing tournament wins along Florida's Gulf Coast.

Overcoming competition and sometimes rough weather, these anglers combined skill and a bit of luck to secure prize-winning fish.

Read their stories below.

Captain Tyler DeGraff and Captain RJ Cox pose with their 62-pound wahoo caught during last weekend’s Boca Grande Bottom Blast. By Provided photo

NO. 1: HOW GULF ANGLERS REELED IN A 62-POUND WAHOO IN FLORIDA FISHING TOURNAMENT

They covered over 500 miles during the three-day tournament. | Published April 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jon Chapman

Chad Tripp (right) and his teammates pose with their fish during the St. Pete Open spearfishing competition. By Provided photo

NO. 2: HOW A BRADENTON MAN TOOK HOME FIRST-PLACE PRIZE IN LOCAL SPEARFISHING TOURNAMENT

The St. | Published September 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jon Chapman

Captain Josh Prunier and angler Zach McDonald pose with a 41-inch snook caught during the 28th annual Fishing Funds the Cure tournament. By Provided photo

NO. 3: HOW A BRADENTON ANGLER WON FISHING TOURNAMENT WITH MASSIVE MANATEE RIVER CATCH

When Captain Josh Prunier began fishing during the 28th annual Fishing Funds the Cure tournament, he found himself in unfamiliar waters. | Published October 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jon Chapman

The Romano family (left to right: Joe, Liz, Jory and Quinn) took first place in the 32nd annual Fall King of the Beach, a kingfish tournament held in Madeira Beach. By Provided Photo

NO. 4: TAMPA BAY FAMILY WINS $97K IN ANNUAL GULF FISHING TOURNAMENT

The 32nd annual Fall King of the Beach kingfish tournament provided Gulf Coast anglers fortunate weather to fish a few days ahead of the first strong cold front of the year. | Published November 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jon Chapman

Captain Ryan Rickard and Patrick Marsonek pose with redfish caught during a previous redfish tournament. By Provided photo

NO. 5: ‘A REAL CHALLENGE.’ ANGLERS TAKE 1ST PLACE AFTER SCOURING GULF FOR THESE FISH

Captain Ryan Rickard has traveled around the Southeast doing redfish tournaments for nearly 20 years. | Published December 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jon Chapman

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists or contributing writers.