Cheeca Lodge Tournament
Anglers from around the world will return to Cheeca Lodge & Spa in the heart of the Florida Keys for the Second Annual Cheeca Lodge All American Backcountry Fishing Tournament from November 8-10, 2013.
“The goal of this tournament is three-fold: one, to enhance Cheeca’s position as the premier resort fishing destination in Islamorada. The second is to make this event the most impressive and celebrated fishing tournament in the Keys. The third is to raise money for the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust,” said Cheeca Lodge General Manager Herbert Spiegel. “Once again, we will bring Cheeca’s singular brand of casual elegance to this tournament — from the trophies to the gift bags to the elaborate banquets.”
Anglers will compete for trophies and prizes for releasing five different species of fish: snook, redfish, bonefish, tarpon and permit.
Tackle Divisions include Fly, Artificial and General, and both Individual and Team trophies will be awarded.
Fishing headquarters is World Wide Sportsman, just a half mile from Cheeca. Major sponsors this year include Wells Fargo, BCF and the Monroe County Tourist Development Council, among others. Proceeds will benefit the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, an organization of concerned anglers and guides who are dedicated to conserving and enhancing global bonefish, tarpon and permit fisheries and their environments through stewardship, research, education and advocacy.
The entry fee is $2,000 per angler and includes entry into all three social events for the angler, a guest and the angler’s guide and his guest. It also includes a continental breakfast dockside at World Wide Sportsman each morning.
The Cheeca All American will kick off with an elaborate Welcome Reception and Cocktail party on Friday, November 8, 2013. Fishing hours are from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 9 and Sunday, November 10, 2013.
On Saturday, November 9, 2013, tournament participants will attend a spectacular All American Barbecue on Cheeca’s beach. The event will culminate with a lavish Awards Banquet on Sunday, November 10, 2013. Awards for Individual Grand Champion, Individual Runner-Up, Grand Champion Team, Runner-Up Grand Champion Team and Champions in the Fly, Artificial and General Tackle Divisions will be presented in the form of 16 exclusive, signature trophies that will put this tournament in a class by itself, Spiegel noted.
Cheeca’s fishing tournament history is impressive. In addition to the George Bush/Cheeca Lodge Bonefish Tournament held from 1994-2003, Cheeca launched its Presidential Sailfish Tournament in 1989. That tournament has become the largest, most prestigious offshore tournament of its kind in the Florida Keys. For more information, tournament brochure and entry forms, please contact Julie Olsen at (305)517-4449 or e-mail jolsen@cheeca.com.
