Thursday, November 5, 2009

ISLAMORADA -- They are among the "best of the best," as nearly 40 top men and women fly and light tackle "sight-casting" fishing champions from across the world will be invited to compete in the 10th annual Florida Keys Outfitters/IGFA Inshore World Championship set for July 13-15.

Invitations are being sent to the winners of 42 qualifying fishing tournaments held in 2009 in the U.S., Trinidad Tobago, Sweden, Belize, the Bahamas and Australia.

Anglers and the media have described the three-day, all-release championship event as the "super bowl of inshore fishing." All five of the targeted species -- bonefish, tarpon, permit, redfish and snook -- can be readily found in the unique Florida Bay fishery, centrally located in Islamorada near Mile Marker 82. Fishing and scoring takes place from the World Wide Sportsman's Bayside Marina. The Islander Resort is the event's headquarters.

In 2009 Sandy Moret, owner of Florida Keys Outfitters, began managing the event which was founded in 2001 by the International Game Fish Association. The partnership has allowed the IGFA to focus on its core mission of conservation, angler education, rules and record keeping.

Recognizing the different skills, techniques and expertise required to being a master of either light tackle angling or fly fishing, the FKO/IGFA Inshore World Championship awards equally coveted titles to the Inshore Light Tackle World Champion and the Inshore Fly Fishing World Champion. Anglers are invited to fish light tackle or fly, based on the type of tournament for which they have qualified.

At the 2009 tournament this summer, Key Largo's Jared Raskob, guided by Capt. Dave Borras, won the inshore fly title while Mike Gallops of Naples, guided by Capt. Larry Sydnor won the light tackle crown.

The IGFA remains the inshore championships' sole nonprofit benefactor. A fundraiser and auction for the IGFA will be held at the event.

For more information on the FKO/IGFA Inshore World Championship and qualifying tournaments for the years 2010 and 2011, contact Moret at 305-664-5423, at info@floridakeysoutfitters.com or visit inshoreworldchampionships.com.

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