They're 32 of the top fly and light tackle "sight-casting" fishing champions from across the U.S. and as far away as Australia, set to converge on Islamorada for the ninth annual Florida Keys Outfitters / IGFA Inshore World Championship, July 7 - 9. Anglers and the media have described the event as the "super bowl of inshore fishing."
The field of anglers - 16 in fly and 16 in light tackle -- was invited from a variety of 36 qualifying tournaments held in 2008 in the U.S., the Bahamas and Australia to compete in the three day all-release championship. They include 26 men and five women from nine U.S. states and Australian Peter Politis, winner of Northern Territory's Barramundi Classic.
A grand champion will be crowned in each division.
New to the format will be a drawing to pair each angler with a premier Keys guide, fishing all three days as a team for tarpon, bonefish, permit, snook and redfish.
Three-time winner and current defending champion Robert Collins of Naples and Islamorada said, "The thing I like most about the new format is that your guide will now be much more important in helping you plan your overall strategy. The continuity will be a positive for both the angler and the guide. It should be much easier to execute one three day plan, as opposed to three one day plans with three different guides."
And for the first time Collins who is known for his remarkable accuracy with a conventional rod and reel, will be focusing his skills solely casting fly.
"I'll approach it the same as in past years," he said, "deciding which species I can get in the least amount of time and then go from there. A lot of that decision will depend on the conditions and who I will be fishing with. It usually takes catching and releasing a slam of all five species to win and that's going to be difficult with the fly rod, but someone will probably do it."
Collins who is also a member of the defending IGFA Offshore World Championship team said, "I fished a pretty heavy offshore schedule this past year but when I've been inshore it's been all flyrod. I know I don't have all the skills that some of the others do, but I feel pretty good about where I am with it," adding with a smile, "plus I'm hoping for a lucky break or two."
He and the other competitors may get those opportunities.
According to tournament director Sandy Moret, owner of Florida Keys Outfitters who spent several days fly fishing the Florida Bay waters, "Tarpon fishing is off the chart right now."
"I have had great reports on the snook and red fishing too. Some bonefish and permit are being caught, but most anglers are so focused on tarpon, that the other species are getting a break. The weather has settled into its late spring/early summer pattern and if it holds, fishing should be gangbusters!
"These anglers and guides have wholeheartedly embraced our new light tackle/fly tackle concept and this should be one of the most outstanding competitions of the year," he added. "Looking ahead to next year we'll have more international competitors from the 38 current qualifying events representing tournaments in US, Bahamas, Belize, Australia & Sweden."
Fishing and daily scoring takes place from the World Wide Sportsman's Bayside Marina. The Islander Resort serves as the event's headquarters. Both are located near mile marker 82.
The IGFA remains the inshore championships' sole nonprofit benefactor. A fundraiser and auction for the IGFA will be held at the event.
The championship is partnering with ESPN Outdoors and its televised Saltwater Series. Daily tournament coverage will appear on ESPNOutdoors.com and on IGFA.org.
Tournament sponsors include Bacardi, Islamorada Fish Co., The Islander Resort, King Sailfish Mounts, Rapala, Shimano, Stiffy Push Poles, Reel Life Art by Pasta, World Wide Sportsman, Mercury, Zane Grey Lounge, Bayside Marina, Tibor Reels, Redbone Celebrity Tournament Series, Diamond Fishing Products, Kaenon Sunglasses, Sage Rods, Patagonia, Green Turtle Inn, Rich Products Corp, Cortland Line Company, Ocean Dawn Suites, Vineyard Vines, Nautilus Reels and "High Roller" author Bill Bishop.
For more information on the FKO/IGFA Inshore World Championship and qualifying tournaments for 2010 please contact Sandy Moret at 305-664-5423 or flkeyout@bellsouth.net or visit inshoreworldchampionships.com .
