Catch the Legacy
The Spanish Fly Shark Tournament has always been about more than fishing—it’s about community, conservation, and carrying forward the spirit of Captain Jose Wejebe. And in 2026, we’re growing in exciting new ways.
The idea for this tournament was born from Jose’s role in producing the Madfin Shark Tournament, a made-for-TV event that broke new ground in competitive fishing. Jose was always about doing things just a little differently. With so many well-established tournaments already in the Florida Keys, we didn’t want to compete for the same anglers or captains—we wanted to carve our own path.
Now, with the support of Outdoor America, the Spanish Fly Shark Tournament is coming back to television, just like Madfin once did. It’s a new chapter in honoring Jose’s vision while bringing the excitement of shark fishing to a national audience.
For our first two years, the focus was on bull sharks. For 2026, we’re expanding the target species to make the tournament more diverse and exciting—welcoming bull, nurse, lemon, blacktip, and tiger sharks. All anglers are invited! Alongside our inshore and offshore divisions, we’ve also added scoring for fly anglers ready to test their skills.
Inshore and Offshore Divisions
🦈 Scoring for 2026
Tackle (Spin/Conventional)
• Tiger – 500
• Bull – 200
• Blacktip – 50
• Lemon – 15
• Nurse – 10
• Open Class – 5
Fly
• Tiger – 750
• Bull – 300
• Blacktip – 100
• Lemon – 30
• Nurse – 20
• Open Class – 10
🔑 What’s New in 2026
• Key Identifiers: Anglers and captains will wear color-coded slap bracelets each day. These must be visible in every photo or video submission, ensuring fair play and real-time verification.
• Video Submissions: Web Pro Tournament Manager now supports video uploads, allowing clearer species ID while reducing stress on the fish.
• After-Fishing Social: Friday evening—Lines Out, Drinks Up at The Docks in Stock Island.
• Fly Fishing Bonus: Additional point structure awarded for sharks landed on fly.
• New Species
• Guest Speakers
🌊 Our Commitment to Conservation
Jose believed that no one cares more about the ocean than those who live their lives on it. That’s why we’re partnering with conservation organizations for data collection, tagging, and research opportunities.
Shark depredation is an increasing challenge, and groups like Bonefish Tarpon Trust are leading the way with long-term studies on shark behavior and fisheries sustainability. After consultation with shark experts, we’ve excluded certain species with low post-release survival rates to ensure we protect what we love.
We’re also excited to welcome Jose Moyano of Bonefish Tarpon Trust, who will share the latest findings on shark depredation during our Friday awards ceremony. Protecting our oceans requires anglers, conservationists, scientists, and policymakers working together—and that’s exactly what this tournament is about.
📺 The Story Continues
Television has always been part of Jose’s legacy. From his groundbreaking Spanish Fly series to his role in producing the made-for-TV Madfin Shark Tournament, Jose believed in sharing the excitement of fishing with the world.
That tradition continues today. Last year’s Spanish Fly Shark Tournament—despite tough weather—was filmed and will air nationwide on Outdoor America this November. The 2026 tournament will once again be captured on camera, bringing the thrill of shark fishing and the heart of Jose’s vision to audiences everywhere.
You may also like the following events from Jose Wejebe Spanish Fly Memorial Foundation:
Also check out other
Sports events in Key West,
Workshops in Key West.
