Friday, November 6, 2009

KEY LARGO -- Super Bowl-winning coach Jimmy Johnson and pro football hall-of-famer Mike Ditka have kicked off the launch of the Gridiron Greats Billfish Bowl registration process through the event's Web site www.billfishbowl.com. Those teams that sign up before Dec. 1 will save $450 off the base entry fee of $4,500.

Johnson and Ditka teamed up to create the Feb. 4-6 tournament, which will bring together Florida's toughest sailfish competitors, with a bunch of football personalities already in town for the Super Bowl which takes place in Miami just days after the Billfish Bowl concludes.

The event will take place at Jimmy Johnson's Fisherman's Cove, a private residence club in Key Largo and home of the Big Chill, a bar, restaurant and cabana club.

Teams will compete for cash prizes of up to $150,000, based on 35 boats.

The base team entry includes passes to all of the event's nightly parties. Proceeds will benefit Gridiron Greats, a charitable organization heralded by Ditka that assists retired NFL players with medical conditions and basic needs.

For those who do not have their own boats or crew, the tournament committee will assist with booking a charter and accommodations.

Registration forms can be downloaded from the official tournament Web site.

If you have an outstanding catch or fishing news to report:

• Fax: 305-295-8016

• Write: Daily Fishing Report, 3420 Northside Drive, Key West, FL 33040

• Drop it off 24 hours a day through the slot in the front of The Key West Citizen building

E-mail:

wjacobson@keysnews. com