Sailfish Smackdown 2025 Cancelled - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

JohnMckroidJr · 01-16-2025, 12:10 AM

As a SE Florida resident, I enjoyed participating during years when the tournament date was fortunate to coincide with good weather.

Getting beat up on the water during the relatively coldest time of the year is no fun, so I often opted out of participation.

"Cancellation of the 2025 Sailfish Smackdown

After a decade of hosting the Sailfish Smackdown, EKFT has made the difficult decision to discontinue the tournament. This decision was influenced by scheduling conflicts with Pompano Beach and a strategic shift to allocate resources toward expanding the Summer Slam Series and Exotic Bass Roundup."

https://www.extremekayakfishingtourn...ackdown.html#/

Tournament sponsorship has waned, making the winning award drop from 5K of previous years to just 2K for first place in 2024. It is sad to see the Worlds only kayak billfish tournament discontinue. Lately fishing has just been dead slow.

According to the link, fresh sponsorship is aiming to rebuild the EKFT Summer Slam Series. Let's hope fishing for cyclical migratory species improves to support the revitalization.

01-16-2025, 12:10 AM	#1
JohnMckroidJr Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 1,948	Sailfish Smackdown 2025 Cancelled As a SE Florida resident, I enjoyed participating during years when the tournament date was fortunate to coincide with good weather. Getting beat up on the water during the relatively coldest time of the year is no fun, so I often opted out of participation. "Cancellation of the 2025 Sailfish Smackdown After a decade of hosting the Sailfish Smackdown, EKFT has made the difficult decision to discontinue the tournament. This decision was influenced by scheduling conflicts with Pompano Beach and a strategic shift to allocate resources toward expanding the Summer Slam Series and Exotic Bass Roundup." https://www.extremekayakfishingtourn...ackdown.html#/ Tournament sponsorship has waned, making the winning award drop from 5K of previous years to just 2K for first place in 2024. It is sad to see the Worlds only kayak billfish tournament discontinue. Lately fishing has just been dead slow. According to the link, fresh sponsorship is aiming to rebuild the EKFT Summer Slam Series. Let's hope fishing for cyclical migratory species improves to support the revitalization.