HOT News from the IGFA – June 2009

By Pete Johnson, Johnson Communications – IGFA PR Counsel

 

They are among the top fly and light tackle “sight-casting” champion anglers from as far away as Australia who will converge on the Florida Keys island chain from July 7 – 9, competing in the ninth annual Florida Keys Outfitters / IGFA Inshore World Championship in Islamorada. 

It’s an event described by anglers and the media as the “super bowl” of inshore fishing.

Selected from a variety of 36 qualifying tournaments held in 2008 across the U.S., the Bahamas and Australia, a field of 32 top anglers — 16 in fly and 16 in light tackle — quickly responded to the invitations of managing partner Florida Keys Outfitters to compete in this three day all-release championship. 

From a drawing the champion qualifiers will be paired with a premier Keys guide fishing as a team for tarpon, bonefish, permit, snook and redfish in the fly and light tackle divisions. 

A grand champion will be crowned in each division.

Three-time winner and current defending champion Robert Collins of Naples and Islamorada, will be focusing his skills for the first time solely casting fly.

The field of competitors includes 26 men and five women from nine U.S. states. Also among them will be Australian Peter Politis winner of last year’s Northern Territory’s Barramundi Classic.

            “I believe anglers and guides have wholeheartedly embraced our new light tackle/fly tackle concept and look forward to a really fun and competitive event,” said tournament director Sandy Moret, owner of Florida Keys Outfitters. ” In our first year, all of the IGFA Staff, tournament directors, sponsors, anglers and guides have been a great help putting things together.

            “This tournament promises to be one of the most outstanding competitions of the year,” he added. “And looking ahead to next year we’ll have more international competitors.”

Fishing and daily scorekeeping takes place from the World Wide Sportsman’s Bayside Marina with The Islander Resort serving 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.  

For the first time the championship will be partnering with ESPN Outdoors and its televised Saltwater Series and be presented on other ESPN Outdoors multimedia platforms. Daily tournament coverage will appear on ESPNOutdoors.com and on IGFA.org among others.

For more information on the FKO/IGFA Inshore World Championship and the event’s qualifying tournaments contact Sandy Moret 305-664-5423, or via e-mail at flkeyout@bellsouth.net or visit the web site at inshoreworldchampionships.com .

A preview with a complete list of the champions, hometowns and tournaments they qualified at will also be posted soon on the IGFA web site igfa.org.

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Exciting sport fishing photography featured in IGFA Art Gallery

 

The exhilarating works of some of today’s hottest marine photographers are featured in an exhibit in the Art Gallery of the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum.

Through the end of August more than 70 images will be on display shot through the lenses of Pat Ford, Adrian Gray, Scott Kerrigan, Dave McCleaf, Al McGlashan, Ron Modra and Sam Root.

“All visitors to the museum this summer will have the opportunity to experience the excitement, emotion, energy and beauty of sport fishing captured by these photographic pros,” said Gray who is the IGFA’s resident artist and noted photographer.

Gray, who has numerous eye-catching color photographs on display including a tarpon jumping, a mutton snapper’s eye plus underwater shots of seatrout, gag grouper and tarpon, gave a brief preview of his fellow colleagues’ works:

·         Sam Root has an excellent mixture of underwater and above water photographs. Many of his images can be found featured in the pages of Salt Water Sportsman and Sport Fishing. This is Sam’s first exhibition.

·         Still in college, Dave McCleaf is a young up-and-comer taking some of the best action shots out there. He has heart-stopping tarpon shots that almost seem suspended in time. One gorgeous photo in the exhibit is a seatrout with droplets of water falling off of it. This is also Dave’s first exhibit.

·         Artistic sepia toned images give Ron Modra’s works a mystical look. He has an impressive daytime image of a jumping swordfish that really makes you stop and look.

·         This is Scott Kerrigan’s first exhibit but he’s already recognized as a master of billfish action photography. One unique piece is a collage of hundreds of photos to make a single sailfish image. This large 30 x 40 collage stops people instantly for a long and lingering look.

·         Pat Ford has quickly become one of the leading world renowned sport fish photographers. One image that stands out is a live squid on the flats that has incredible colors. Pat also submitted an amazing tarpon release-action photo that’s featured.

·         And with exciting images of jumping black marlin in the 1000 lb weight class, Australia’s premier billfish photographer Alistair McGlashan has included a number of his best action shots.

      For more information on the exhibit please call Joanie Tomlin at the IGFA at 954-924-4312 or email her at JTomlin@igfa.org.  

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Wegmans Endorses “Take Marlin Off the Menu” Campaign

            Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. based in Rochester, N.Y., reaffirmed its commitment to selling sustainable seafood by becoming the first supermarket chain to endorse the “Take Marlin Off the Menu” Campaign (www.takemarlinoffthemenu.org) by refusing to sell marlin, sailfish and spearfish at its 72 stores located throughout New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia and Maryland.

            In recognition of Wegmans’ (www.wegmans.com), commitment to not selling marlin, the Take Marlin Off the Menu Campaign, launched eight months ago by three leading marine conservation non-profits, wants consumers to know they can purchase seafood at their nearest Wegmans supermarket with the full knowledge that Wegmans is officially “Marlin Free.” The drive was launched by the International Game Fish Association (www.igfa.org), the National Coalition for Marine Conservation (www.savethefish.org), and The Billfish Foundation (www.billfish.org).
            As a leader in the supermarket industry, Wegmans urges other supermarket chains throughout the United States to follow its lead in not selling marlin, and helping to raise awareness among consumers that marlin populations are in serious danger due to overharvesting by com
mercial fishing fleets.
            Supporting the Take Marlin Off the Menu Campaign is in keeping with Wegmans’ reputation for innovation. Founded in 1916, Wegmans is recognized as a leader throughout its industry, distinguished for its innovative approaches to customer service. In 2008, Wegmans published its Sustainable Seafood Sourcing Philosophy, a policy that has been followed for many years and is promoted at all Wegmans stores, as well as on its website.  Wegmans also posts a chart of items sold in its stores that are certified sustainable and those which are not sold due to sustainability concerns.
            “As an industry, we have a great deal of influence in what Americans eat,” says Carl Salamone, vice president of seafood. “Every day, in supermarkets across the country, consumers ask seafood professionals what’s great to eat. That’s when we can point consumers to fish and seafood that is flavorful and good for our environment. Because when the marlin are gone, we all lose.”
            “The ultimate goal of the Take Marlin Off the Menu Campaign is, through education and political advocacy, to end the commercial harvest, sale and importation of marlin, sailfish and spearfish in the United States,” said IGFA Conservation Director Jason Schratwieser..
            “This is a huge step for our campaign because Wegmans is respected by consumers for its commitment to customer service,” adds Ken Hinman, president of the National Coalition for Marine Conservation, located in the Washington D.C. area, “as well as throughout the supermarket industry for its innovation.  We applaud Wegmans for stepping forward among its peers in the supermarket industry and coming out on the side of marlin and other billfish.”
            In addition to Wegmans, a growing number of restaurants support Take Marlin Off the Menu, including Wolfgang Puck Companies, which operate some of the most well known restaurants in the world.
            “The challenge facing the campaign is drawing awareness to the plight of marlin and other billfish,” said Ellen Peel, president of The Billfish Foundation. “Unfortunately, many Americans are not aware that marlin have suffered a dramatic population decline.“

            According to a national Harris Interactive consumer survey of 2,078 consumers conducted on February 25, 2009, and sponsored by the Take Marlin Off the Menu Campaign, 93 percent of American consumers were unaware that the populations of marlin have declined 80 percent from their peak several decades ago, before the advent of large-scale commercial fishing worldwide.  
            “However, according to our national consumer survey,” Peel added, “when consumers become aware of the plight of billfish such as marlin, 78 percent of American consumers say they won’t order or buy marlin.  With this insight, we know that our job is to increase awareness of this issue and to persuade restaurants and seafood retailers to embrace our cause.”
            Marlin, sailfish, and spearfish are collectively called “billfish” because the long extension of their upper jawbone looks like a spear or bill.  Marlin, the largest of the billfish species, have powerful muscular bodies, can weigh as much as a ton, and roam throughout the oceans feeding on smaller fish and keeping marine ecosystems in balance. As apex predators in the ocean, they serve the same role as lions, tigers and wolves on land.

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IGFA Observer Training Course set for August

           

            The IGFA will hold its next Observer Training Course, Saturday, August 1, at the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum in Dania Beach, Fla.

            The IGFA OTC trains captains, anglers, and mates to participate as observers in national and international billfish tournaments. The half day training class trains potential attendees to identify billfish species and IGFA angling rules. Additional topics covered in the class include observer etiquette and boating safety.

            “The IGFA has been holding Observer Training Courses since 2002 and over 1000 people have been through the class,” said IGFA Conservation Director Jason Schratwieser. “IGFA’s OTC benefits tournaments and our fisheries by promoting billfish conservation through an all-release tournament format.”

            The cost of the class is $150.00, which covers the OTC manual, two DVD’s, and a one-year IGFA membership. The class will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  For more information, call Schratwieser at 954-924-4320 or by email at jschratwieser@igfa.org.

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June Hot Catches

 

            World records coordinator Rebecca Wright of the International Game Fish Association provides highlights of nine selected documented fish catches made across the globe including Australia, New Zealand, Japan, the French island of Reunion and the United States, recently submitted for IGFA world records. All are now before the world records committee:

 

From the remote French island of Reunion in the Indian Ocean, local angler Audrey Ferrand, of Savanna, St Paul, guided by Hugues Ferrand, landed a giant trevally (Caranx ignobilis) on March 5, weighing in at 48 kg (105 lb 13 oz) on women’s 60 kg (130 lb) class line.  Using bait it took her over an hour to land the fish while fishing near the island’s commune of St Gilles. Reunion, which is about the size of the state of Rhode Island in the USA, is located off Southern Africa, east of Madagascar. The current IGFA women’s line class record for the fish is 91 lb  0 oz (41.3 kg) caught in 2004 from the waters of Tanzania, Africa’s Latham Island northwest of Reunion. (Photo – giant trevally – 31953)

 

While fishing the waters off Ft. Myers, Florida, USA, on March 6, Windsor, Ontario, Canada angler Cheryl Legault, guided by Capt. Joe Verdino, landed a gray snapper, (Lutjanus griseus) weighing 2.52 kg (5 lb 9 oz).  She was using a sardine on 10 kg (20 lb) class line and quickly landed the fish in three minutes. The current women’s IGFA line class record is 4 lb. 11 oz (2.13 kg) caught off Hobe Sound, Fla. last year. (Photo – gray snapper- 31367)

 

Japanese angler Satoshi Touchi, of Amami-Shi, Kangoshima, guided by Tominori Takeshita, landed a longface emperor (Lethrinus olivaceus) on March 8 while fishing Amami-Oshima, Japan. The pending IGFA All-Tackle record fish weighed 10.35 kg (22 lb 13 oz) and took Touchi six minutes to fight using a metal Haori King jig. The current IGFA record is 20 lb 10 oz ( 9.35 kg) caught in the same waters two years ago. (Photo – longface emperor – 31477)

 

Junior angler Heather Michelle Harkavy, Coral Springs, FL, USA, guided by Capt. Joe Porcelli, landed a 29.94 kg (66 lb 0 oz) black drum (Pogonias cromis) on March 14, while fishing the Indian River, Florida, USA. Ms. Harkavy who has a long string of IGFA records is hoping to beat the current female junior mark of 63 lb 6 oz ( 28.74 kg) caught four years ago off Virginia’s Eastern Shores. (Photo – black drum – 31481)

 

Fly fishing the South Bay in Texas USA on March 14, Bud Rowland of McAllen Texas tempted a black drum (Pogonias cromis) and fought him for 18 minutes. Rowland was using 6 kg (12 lb) tippet for the drum when landed weighed 26.99 kg (59 lb 8 oz).  The current men’s IGFA tippet record for the species is 57 lb 8 oz (26.08 kg) recorded from Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay in 1995. (Photo – black drum – 31921)

 

Proactive IGFA Virginia, USA Representative Dr. Julie Ball took time on March 22, to wet a line off her hometown of Virginia Beach landing a tautog (Tautoga onitis).  Dr. Ball, guided by Skip Feller, used a crab on 8 kg (16 lb) line to attract the fish that weighed in at 6.72 kg (14 lb 13 oz). She may replace the IGFA women’s line class record for the species which is currently 13 lb 11 oz (6.2 kg) caught off Port Jefferson, Long Island, NY, USA in 1993. (Photo – tautog 31955)

 

Australian junior angler Jeremy Athan Siarakas, of Maroubra, guided by Jim Siarakas, landed a meagre (Argyrosomus spp.) on March 28. He was fishing Sydney Harbour, Australia when he caught the fish after a 15 minute fight that weighed in at 1.34 kg (2 lb 15 oz). The current IGFA male small fry record is vacant so Jeremy is hoping to be the first to see his name listed for the catch. (Photo – meagre – 31484)

 

With very thin 2 kg (4 lb) class line New Zealand lady angler Eryn Jacobsen, of Pukence, Kaitana, guided by John Batterton, landed a 95 kg (209 lb 6 oz) striped marlin (Kajikia audax) on March 28. For some 40 minutes she delicately finessed the billfish from the waters of the Three Kings Islands, the northernmost point of the North Island of New Zealand, where the South Pacific Ocean and Tasman Sea meet. The current women’s IGFA line class record is 142 lb 8 oz (64.63 kg) caught Panama’s Pinas Bay in 1991. (Photo – striped marlin 31832)

 

Using a homemade lure while fishing Donner Lake, California USA, young Nevada (USA) angler Kaitlyn Stout, of Spanish Springs, landed a lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) on April 3, weighing in at 13.61 kg (30 lb 0 oz). She fought the fish for 15 minutes before landing it. The current IGFA female smallfry record is 20 lb 10 oz ( 9.35 kg) set in July 2005 from Michigan’s Lake Superior. &nbs
p;
(Photo – lake trout – 31635)

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IGFA Junior Angler weekly Summer Camps in full fun mode

 

          For hands-on activities for youngsters, nothing beats the IGFA’s annual Junior Angler Summer Camps presented in 10 weekly sessions which are now underway till August 14th.

            In its 10th year and held at the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum in Dania Beach, Fla., the association offers the weeklong camp adventures for children ages 8 – 13, and with more angling opportunities.

            “When we asked the parents what their children were saying about the IGFA Summer Camp, almost everyone said they’d like to see more fishing,” said IGFA Education Director Dave Matagiese. “This year we’ve revamped some of the activities so that each camper will spend more time each day fishing while the camp instructors teach them about fish biology, fishing techniques and tackle.”

            He said they’ll also learn about conservation, tying flies & jigs, and participate in simulated fishing tournaments. And the campers will take field trips on a variety of fresh and salt water adventures: drift boat, pier and shore fishing, wetlands exploration and much more. 

            “These camps give children the opportunity to have fun while being educated on local habitats and ethical practices,” Matagiese said. “During each week-long experience, campers will discover the importance of the different fresh and salt water habitats for sport fishing.” 

            For much more information, please call 954-924-4309, email reservations@igfa.org, or visit www.igfa.org/summercamp.asp .

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IGFA’s popular School of Sportfishing resumes in the fall

 

            After a summer break the IGFA’s School of Sportfishing will resume with its 12th session in the fall of its popular series of Tuesday night classes.    

            The topic list is expected be posted in early August on the IGFA web site and include course titles and instructors.

            The web site can be found at www.igfa.org/schoolofsportfishing.asp .  

“This past spring session, our 11th, was one of the best received with a number of sold out classes,” said IGFA Education Director Dave Matagiese.  “Along with the more popular classes one of the new topics we introduced, ‘Secret’s to deep dropping’ for fish like grouper and snapper, was well-received by all the participants.”

He added that anglers from other classes have reported fantastic fishing with greatly improved catch ratios after putting their newly gained knowledge to practice on the water. 

“With the price of gas climbing higher again this summer, we’ve heard from anglers who attended the program giving great feedback saying they’ve become much more efficient in finding fish faster and making each strike count.”

Matagiese said all classes will continue to be limited to the first 24 anglers to sign up. The Tuesday night classes are held from 7 – 10 p.m. at the IGFA Headquarters in Dania Beach, Fla. The cost is $100 for IGFA members and $150 for non-members per class.  To sign up or for more information, contact Matagiese at 954-924-4247 or via email at dmatagiese@igfa.org.    Registration will also available online at www.igfa.org/sosform.asp. 

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IGFA’s Outreach Program Visits New Smyrna Beach, Florida

 

            Over 350 Central Florida youngsters had the opportunity to learn more about fish and fishing when the IGFA’s Outreach Program held clinics during the annual FishStock celebration over the Memorial Day weekend in New Smyrna Beach.

            “The event started out with a rainy morning Saturday but the rains did little to keep families from attending this great event,” said IGFA Education Director Dave Matagiese. “Even though the weather didn’t cooperate for most of the weekend, the clinics attracted over 700 people including over 350 children who learned about the fishing basics including how to cast and how to tie a clinch knot.”

            He said after each child successfully completed the clinic, they were each given a free rod and reel combo compliments of Fish Florida to take home and continue practicing their newly acquired skills. Immediately after the clinics, many of the anglers put their new rods to use and were able to find some quality fishing spots along the pier at Riverside Park.

            For more information about the IGFA Outreach Program, contact Matagiese at dmatagiese@igfa.org.

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Interesting facts from the IGFA — Did You Know?

 

            “Did You Know?” a popular monthly feature presented by the International Game Fish Association presents these fascinating marine facts.

• Some species of fish change sex during their lifetimes. Fish that start their lives as females and change sex to males are call protogynous hermaphrodites, while fish that start as males and change to females are called protandric hermaphrodites.

• Tropical fishes tend to be faster growing than fishes that live in colder water in higher latitudes.• Fish inhabit more diverse habitats than any other vertebrates.• Fish can be found in mountains as high as 4,000 meters and depths as deep as 10 kilometers.• Fish can endure temperatures as cold as -2° C and as warm as 40° C.• At least 50 species of bony fishes lack eyes.

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Free Boaters Safety Course July 18 

 

Are you new to the great recreational activity of boating?

Or would like for you and members of your family to be safer boaters? Well, we’ve got a class for you.

The IGFA and the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission are teaming together to host the next free Boaters Safety Courses beginning on Saturday, July 18, at the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum, Dania Beach, Fla.

One more additional free class for 2009 will be offered September 19. The all day class begins at 8 a.m. and lasts till 4 p.m.

This course, taught by the law enforcement division of the FFWCC meets the mandatory boating safety education requirements for the State of Florida.

The class is comprised of a six chapter review and a final exam and is limited to 16 people with advance registration. For more information and to register, please call Joanie Tomlin at the IGFA at 954-924-4312 or email her at JTomlin@igfa.org.  

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New Interactive “Ocean Today” kiosk now featured at IGFA

 

If you’re visiting the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum this summer look for the new Ocean Today interactive exhibit.

“It was originally developed as a major installation in the Sant Ocean Hall at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History,” said IGFA Education Director David Matagiese. “It receives real time data directly from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), helping to educate museum guests on topics such as the current state of the world’s fisheries stocks, endangered species, marine deb
ris and much more.”

The kiosk enhances ocean literacy among museum goers through an enticing multi-media experience. Matagiese said it’s a dynamic interface comprised of ocean imagery and video clips, which invites visitors to explore several content areas.

“When a visitor touches the screen, the content areas will be revealed to show the most recent information,” said Matagiese. “The main content themes are Ocean Science & Technology, Ocean News, Recent Discoveries, and Ocean Life.”

Multiple groups can simultaneously interact with the content on the kiosk which includes a 42-inch, independently-operated, touch-screen display, and a 50-inch plasma echo monitor above, Matagiese added. It accommodates two specially designed sound areas that envelop museum visitors. 

For more information, please contact Matagiese at dmatagiese@igfa.org.

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  —Also featured this month at the IGFA Museum—

 

Special Catch & Release Fishing exhibit and video in IGFA Changing Gallery         

The Changing Gallery in the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum is featuring a special exhibit which highlights the background and progression of “catch and release” fishing.

Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., in the 1950’s and ‘60’s, gained the reputation as the “sportfishing capital of the world” with tourists mounting thousands of fish as trophies to adorn their walls each year.  Thousands of other fish, particularly sailfish and marlin, were also taken but not mounted as captains earned big commissions only after killing the catches. 

            This trend was unsustainable to the South Florida fishery and led to the concept we know today as catch and release. The majority of all sailfish caught today are released alive and mounts are produced without the need for the actual fish.  Sailfish populations have rebounded and the fishing has improved dramatically as catch and release is a trend here to stay. 

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You can still get more “bang” with BAMM this month

 

It’s not too late.

During the entire month of June if you hold a membership to the IGFA, you’ve also got a membership to 20 participating museums and attractions throughout Broward County.

IGFA members can use their cards for reciprocal benefits in all of the BAMM (Broward Attractions and Museum Month) member sites. The theme for the month is “Join one, experience them all.”  Each institution will define exactly what benefits will be eligible but at the very least it will be free admission at same member level.

            Participating institutions include:

 

·         African-American Research Library

·         Art and Culture Center of Hollywood

·         Bonnet House Museum & Gardens

·         Cinema Paradiso

·         Coral Springs Museum of Art

·         Flamingo Gardens

·         Fort Lauderdale History Center

·         IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum

·         International Swimming Hall of Fame Museum

·         Museum of Art | Fort Lauderdale

·         My Jewish Discovery Place Children’s Museum

·         Old Davie School Historical Museum

·         Old Dillard Museum

·         Plantation Historical Museum

·         Seminole Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum

·         Stranahan House Museum

·         The Children’s Museum Boca Raton

            The IGFA will honor admission as well as 10% off in the gift shop. For more information please call Joanie Tomlin at the IGFA at 954-924-4312 or email her at JTomlin@ig
fa.org
.  Additional information can be found on the BAMM web site at www.bamminfo.org.

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Calendar of upcoming IGFA events

 

June 8 — Aug 14, 2009 — IGFA’s ten weekly Summer Camps, IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum, Dania Beach, Fla. USA – Now in its 10th year the IGFA’s popular weekly camps are held during the summer break for children ages 8 to 13. Campers will explore the aquatic environment and participate in many fishing adventures and exciting marine life activities. Each week-long camp session is held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Before and after-care is available from 8 – 9 a.m. and 4 – 6 p.m. Pre-registration is required. For more information, go to the IGFA summer camp website at www.igfa.org/summercamp.asp. There’s a maximum of 45 children per week, so parents are encouraged to reserve early. Registration is available by calling the IGFA education department at 954-924-4309 or via email at reservations@igfa.org.

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July 7 – July 9, 2009 — Ninth annual Florida Keys Outfitters/IGFA Inshore World Championship, Islamorada, Fla., USA – Described by anglers and the media as the “super bowl” of fly and light tackle fishing, invitations are sent to the winners of over 35 qualifying tournaments held in 2008 to compete in this three day all-release championship. From a drawing the qualifiers are paired with a premier Keys guide to team for three days of fishing for tarpon, bonefish, permit, snook and redfish in fly and light tackle divisions with the grand champion crowned in each. For more information on the FKO/IGFA Inshore World Championship and qualifying tournaments contact Sandy Moret 305-664-5423 or flkeyout@bellsouth.net or visit inshoreworldchampionships.com .

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July 18, 2009 — Boaters Safety Course, IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum, Dania Beach, Fla., USA. – 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. This free all day course is taught by the Law Enforcement division of the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission and meets the mandatory boating safety education requirements for the State of Florida.  It’s comprised of a six chapter review and a final exam. The class is limited to 16 people with advance registration.  For more information and to register, please call Joanie Tomlin at the IGFA at 954-924-4312 or email her at JTomlin@igfa.org.  

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August 1, 2009 IGFA Observer Training Course, IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum. Dania Beach, Fla., USA. – 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.  IGFA hosts the Observer Training Course (OTC) which trains participants in species identification, tackle rules, tackle regulations, boating etiquette and boating safety. Observers are used in national and international billfish tournament. For more information, please contact Jason Schratwieser at 954-924-4320 or by email at jschratwieser@igfa.org

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September 19, 2009 Boaters Safety Course, IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum, Dania Beach, Fla., USA. – 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. This free all day course is taught by the Law Enforcement division of the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission and meets the mandatory boating safety education requirements for the State of Florida.  It’s comprised of a six chapter review and a final exam. The class is limited to 16 people with advance registration.  For more information and to register, please call Joanie Tomlin at the IGFA at 954-924-4312 or email her at JTomlin@igfa.org.  

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October 27, 2009 — The 11th Annual IGFA Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum, Dania Beach, Fla., USA — This year’s event will celebrate all 75 members and the newest five inductees of the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame. This year’s inductees will be Carlos Barrantes, Sr, Jack Erskine, Dr. Guy Harvey, Harlan Major and Stephen Sloan. The inductees are selected for the important contributions they have made to the sport of fishing through angling achievements, literature, the arts, science, education, invention, communication or administ
ration of fishery resources. The evening includes a cocktail reception, silent auction, the induction ceremony for the 2009 class and dinner. Tickets are $200. For reservation information please contact Ms.
Lesley Arico at 954-924-4222 or LArico@igfa.org

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November 8 – 13, 2009 —  IGFA Offshore World Championship, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico – This 10th annual event is considered international fishing’s most prestigious billfish tournament hosting nearly 50 winning teams from 19 countries on six continents who have been invited after winning one of over 130 qualifying events held in 2008. It’s also the largest contingent of international teams to compete in a single catch-and-release fishing tournament world wide. For more information on the tournament or to find out more about registering a tournament as a qualifier, contact Lynda Wilson at Lynda.Wilson@Bonniercorp.com or call 407-571-4517, or contact Dan Jacobs, Tournament Director at Dan.Jacobs@Bonniercorp.com or call 407-571-4680.

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