Florida Keys Fishing Tournaments

Casting for the Care and Welfare of Upper Keys Feral Cats Since 1991

Casting for Cats began with a simple but heartfelt idea: combine a love of fishing, a love of the Florida Keys, and a desire to help cats in need.

Founded by Sharon Mahoney, Casting for Cats started as a local fishing tournament and has grown into something much bigger—a community of anglers, businesses, volunteers, sponsors and animal lovers coming together for a common purpose. Through its tournaments, events and fundraising efforts, Casting for Cats raises both funds and awareness to help provide care, support and brighter futures for cats throughout our community.

Over the years, Sharon has seen firsthand how helping one cat often leads to helping another. A cat gets noticed, a connection is made, a home is found—and suddenly a life has changed. Those individual moments, and Sharon’s dedication to making them possible, are at the heart of what makes Casting for Cats so special.

The Islander Resort in Islamorada has also become an important part of the Casting for Cats story. As the home of all Casting for Cats fishing tournaments and events, the Islander provides the perfect setting for the community to gather, have fun and support a wonderful cause. Their involvement goes beyond simply hosting the events. Members of the Islander family have embraced the mission themselves, with staff members even opening their homes and adopting some of the cats whose lives have been touched along the way.

Today, Casting for Cats is about much more than fishing. It is about neighbors helping neighbors, businesses supporting their community, friendships formed around a shared cause, and people coming together to give cats a chance at the safe and loving lives they deserve.

This 2027 Catlender is another chapter in that story. Every cat pictured on these pages—and every cat who entered our contest—is part of the reason this community continues to care, give and get involved.

Thank you to everyone who fishes, volunteers, sponsors, donates, adopts, shares and supports Casting for Cats. Together, you are helping turn compassion into action, one cat at a time.

Every cast helps. Every cat matters.

We are a 501(c)(3) charity recognized by the State of Florida.

About the Tournaments

In 2001 Casting For Cats started a ladies’, one-day backcountry fishing tournament to raise money to help feral cats in the Upper Keys. What started out as a fun day of fishing has now become our major fundraiser to help so many needy animals. The tournament is now not only a ladies’ tournament, but is open to everyone! We have a co-ed division and have just added a junior division!

The Casting for Cats tournament is always held the third weekend in October every year.

In addition to our original Casting for Cats Backcountry Tournament, the organization also has the privilege of hosting one other popular women’s Florida Keys fishing tournaments — the Poor Girls Sailfish Tournament.

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Will you win the boat?

Be the first to catch all 6 species in the Casting for Cats Backcountry Tournament and WIN A BOAT from DragonFly Boatworks – 17′ Classic Skiff.

Visit Casting for Cats Tournament page

DOWNLOAD CASTING for CATS REGISTRATION FORM

Upcoming Events/Announcements:

–-CFC 2027 Catlendar Reveal – Thank you for all your submissions! We will be revealing the 2027 Catlendar on Oct. 16 at the Casting for Cats Kick Off.

—2026 Casting for Cats Backcountry Tournament – Oct. 16-17, 2026. Now with a brand new Junior Division and WIN A DRAGONFLY 17″ Classic Skiff for being the first to catch all 6 species (both team members required to catch all species). Download registration form here

Not Fishing in the Casting for Cats Touranment? Come to the Islander Resort starting at noon to meet the kittens. SHOP the auction/buy now boutique and play in the litter box for great prizes!