Sold Out Sugarloaf Showdown Raises Funds, Supports Local Guides

The 12th Annual Sugarloaf Showdown, a catch and release flats tournament hosted by the Lower Keys Guides Association, wrapped on November 15 with organizers reporting a full house and strong fundraising results. All 30 boat slots were filled and nearly 80 anglers participated across fly and spin divisions. Competitors collectively released over 130 fish targeting bonefish, barracuda and permit, underscoring the event's conservation focus while raising proceeds for guides and their families in need.

The tournament awarded separate fly and spin titles, with Stone Sacco taking fly grand champion and Zach Huff named spin grand champion. Organizers described the event as both a sporting competition and a community relief effort, with proceeds directed to the Florida Keys Guides Trust Foundation and associated relief efforts for guides and their families. That dual mission framed the Showdown as an economic as well as environmental activity for the Lower Keys flats fishery.

From a local economic perspective the event plays multiple roles. It provides direct financial support to working guides whose incomes depend on recreational fishing, channels tourism spending to small boat operators and outfitters, and signals community solidarity at a time when private relief networks remain important for seasonal workers. With more than 130 fish released among nearly 80 participants, the tournament also reinforced a conservation ethic that helps preserve the resource base that undergirds key segments of Monroe County tourism and outdoor recreation.

Statistically the outing averaged roughly 1.6 releases per angler, reflecting both the targeted nature of the competition and the challenges of locating backcountry species in clear water flats. Filling 30 boat slots indicates a high local engagement rate, since multiple anglers typically share boats during such events. That turnout matters because guide households in the Lower Keys often lack broad access to formal safety nets, making community fundraising an important short term support mechanism.

Looking beyond the immediate payoff, recurring events like the Sugarloaf Showdown contribute to longer term resilience for the flats fishery and the guide community. By combining sport with stewardship, the tournament helps sustain fish populations that attract anglers and support local businesses. It also highlights a potential policy gap. Local leaders and state officials could consider complementary measures such as emergency aid programs and targeted economic supports to reduce reliance on ad hoc relief when guides or their families face hardship.

For residents and frequent visitors the Showdown offered a visible demonstration of community bonds and practical conservation. With its sold out field, tournament organizers say the 12th edition reinforced both the recreational value of the Lower Keys flats and the importance of collective action to protect livelihoods tied to that resource.