IGFA partners with Florida Keys Outfitters to produce Inshore World Championship

ISLAMORADA, Fla. USA

Hailed for nearly a decade as the “Super Bowl” of fly and light-tackle inshore fishing, the International Game Fish Association’s Inshore World Championship stands to grow even more prestigious thanks to a recently announced partnership with the Florida Keys Flyfishing School & Outfitters, Inc., dba Florida Keys Outfitters.

The championship, which began in 2001, has grown into the sport’s premiere inshore fishing series. To be invited to this prestigious all-release event, anglers must win one of the many qualifying tournaments located around the world.

“The Inshore World Championship has anglers representing more countries than any other inshore fishing tournament in the world,” says IGFA Corporate Relations Director Mike Myatt. “We have over 50 qualifying tournaments from seven different countries this year including 12 states here in the USA.”

Florida Keys Outfitters will manage operations of the championship starting with the 2009 event. The IGFA will remain the championship’s sole non-profit benefactor with a fundraiser and auction for the IGFA to be held at the championship. The championship will continue to use the first-class amenities and guides of Islamorada, Fla., its host location. The Florida Keys Outfitters/IGFA Inshore World Championship is scheduled for July 7-9, 2009.

In 1989 Sandy Moret founded The Florida Keys Florida Keys Outfitters School and began holding fly fishing seminars with a list of now legendary instructors. Just to name a few, Flip Pallot, Chico Fernandez, Steve Rajeff, Steve Huff, Rick Ruoff and Moret provide extensive hands-on instruction five times a year at the Cheeca Lodge in Islamorada. Now in its 20th year, it is unparalleled as the place to learn or improve fly fishing skills, whether on the flats or in blue water. Sandy progressed from the school to opening Florida Keys Outfitters, a specialty salt water fly fishing shop in Islamorada, in 1992.

Since then Florida Keys Outfitters has become recognized as one of the premiere salt water fly fishing shops in the world, specializing in providing premium fly fishing equipment and flies along with expert rigging and experienced advice. The shop also offers an excellent selection of men and women’s sportswear, weather gear, gifts and accessories. Anglers are also able to book some of the finest, professional fishing guides in the Keys through the shop.

Florida Keys Outfitters, the Green Turtle Restaurant & Bar and the Redbone Art Gallery share the recently renovated landmark Green Turtle Inn in the heart of Islamorada, making it a must-stop location when visiting the Keys. In addition, Florida Keys Outfitters operates The Islamorada Sailfly Tournament, now in its eighth year and is said by many to be one of the most challenging events in the Keys.

“I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to fish for so many great gamefish in so many places around this watery planet over the years. We have made countless friends and introduced thousands of people to the spectacular inshore fishery of the Keys through the school and shop. To further expand in the angling community by teaming with the IGFA and continuing this incredible event is a tremendous opportunity for all of us at Florida Keys Outfitters where our goal is to take the tournament to new heights,” said Moret, who will take on the role of tournament director and event producer.

Read more HERE

A New Catch To catch to 'catch and release'

"The educational process in this has been poor,"

Gulf anglers have exactly one month to gear up for catching reef fish - snappers, groupers, amberjacks, triggerfish, porgies, sea bass, hogfish and tilefish.

New state and federal rules require anglers who catch those species to do so with non-stainless steel circle hooks, and to have a dehooking tool and a venting device on board. The rules don't apply to anglers fishing from shore, but they apply to all boaters fishing for any of the designated reef fishes.

"It's not illegal to catch a fish if you don't meet those requirements," said Lee Schlesinger, spokesman for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
But Schlesinger said fish caught outside the letter of the law must be released alive and unharmed - the guiding principle behind the new rules.

If, for instance, an angler caught a legal-size mangrove snapper in the mouth of the Caloosahatchee River while fishing for snook, but it was caught on a traditional J-shaped hook, it would have to be released. Likewise, if the angler did not have a dehooking device or a venting tool in the boat, that too would be a violation if the fish were not released.
Both the federal rule, originally crafted within the context of new red snapper regulations by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, and the corresponding state rule go into effect June 1.

"I think it's unfortunate that the state and the feds couldn't have synchronized their rules a little better," said Capt. Ralph Allen, who will make a presentation at a seminar introducing the new rules on Tuesday, May 13, in Port Charlotte. No seminars are scheduled in Lee County.

Read more HERE

The I.G.F.A Kids Catches Page

Welcome to the NEW Kids Catches page.

This page is just for kids who want to share their fishing pictures and stories with the rest of the Junior Anglers around the world!! We will pick our favorite pictures and include them in upcoming issues of the International Junior Angler ! Email your pictures and stories to the Junior Angler Department and we will make sure to post them right away!!






What an Amazing Day!
Breant Cockrell (11) of Brevard County, Florida, USA had an amazing day of fishing. He caught 5 Groupers and 2 Big Amberjack! Brent has been offshore fishing with his Dad from the time he was 3 and caught his first sailfish this January














Tag and Release
Wes Davis (8) of Malibu, California, USA, caught this Sailfish off of Boca Raton, Florida. It took him 30 min to bring the fish in. His arm was sore and after the stand up fight. The sailfish kept jumping and splashing water all over. He tagged him, took this picture, then let him go.








Older Pictures
As you can see we need more pictures of you with your monster fish. Send them to us and you could be featured in the next issues of the International Junior Angler

Welcome to Sebastian Inlet State Park

Welcome to Sebastian Inlet

The 'premier' surfing, fishing, boating and recreational area on the east coast of Florida. Situated between Brevard and Indian River Counties, the Sebastian Inlet provides a diverse ecological environment which is unparalled in North America. Created in 1919 by special act of the Legislature of the State of Florida, the Sebastian Inlet District was chartered to maintain the navigational channel between the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian River and remains the District's number one priority.Since the early 1900's the District's responsibilities coordinated with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and local agencies have grown to include beach renourishment, erosion control, environmental protection and public safety.

Fishing The Inlet

The fishing has been really hot here lately or should i say as usual!

Good catches of Black Drum, Pompano, Snook, Redfish, SHEEPSHEAD AND BLUES .

There is no need to guess when taking a trip to the inlet they have their own cam, which is updated every 30 minutes. Click here to view Also daily fishing reports that you can find (here)

You will also find a fully stocked bait and tackle shop, camping sites, boat ramps, and even a wading lagoon for the kids.

Here are a few pics of recent catches:

Take a Kid Fishing

From: JoeReynolds

PART 1 - Planning The Expedition:

When you take a kid fishing, be prepared for one thing: communication. It's a great opportunity to listen and communicate with your youngster, and it will be an experience you'll both treasure for a lifetime. It's a chance to talk about nature, his or her school, their friends, things they like or dislike . . . you've got the idea . . . plus its building a foundation that will keep that youngster focused on this great American sport for many years to come. Make it the most pleasurable outing you can imagine for the youngster.

Don't try to prove to them that you are a great angler, who catches big fish all the time. Emphasize that fishing is purely fun, catching is a bonus! And it doesn't matter that the fish may be small ones. All the kid really wants is to catch something! This is the best time to begin instilling good conservation habits in your budding new angler by teaching them about "catch and release" and returning the fish carefully to the water. Or, if the fish are to be kept, keep just enough for dinner.

Plan your trip to some place that's easily accessible and that is sure to produce some catching . . . a city park pond stocked with trout or panfish, a fishing pier, or even a pay-per-catch pond or lake that's heavily stocked. If you're totally in doubt as to where to go fishing, call your local state game and fish department offices. Explain to them your desire to introduce your youngster to the sport of fishing. They should be more than happy to point you in the right direction.
My first fish was caught off an ocean pier, at age 4," says Gordon Holland, co-founder of the Hooked on Fishing International. "I don't remember too many details about the trip now, but it was a great experience and I've been hooked ever since."

When you plan that first trip for a youngster, it's very important to make it a short, but exciting adventure. A child's span of attention can be fleeting, so make it only a two or three hour outing . . . long enough to catch some fish, but not long enough for the child to become bored.. Usually a morning trip is preferable. The fish bite better and the kids have more fun. Try to pick a sunny day with moderate temperatures . . . and don't forget to take along some sunscreen!

Remember, catching is the key. Target your outing for the easiest-to-catch species . . . bluegill, crappie, planted trout, etc. Don't expect that youngster to enjoy sitting there trying to catch a bass on a plastic worm. A bunch of worms or nightcrawlers, or the numerous prepared trout floating baits are the answer to productive fishing for the smaller species. Most any fish will hit these live baits, and there's nothing more exciting to a child than having something tug on his or her fishing line, and feel that vibration of the fishing rod, or to just see the bobber disappear underwater from the efforts of a feisty sunfish. Herein lies the magic of your child's first fishing experience!

Speaking of memories . . . don't forget your camera. The pictures you will take on this day will likely become priceless mementos. If at all possible, try to get a couple of shots of the two of you together.

And, when next season comes around, be sure to sign up that youngster in one of the more than 1,100 Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World and Tracker Marine Kids All-American Fishing Derby events sponsored nationwide, in all 50 states, by Hooked on Fishing International, and staged by local clubs and organizations, state and federal agencies or parks and recreation departments.

PART 2 - The Journey

Read More HERE

BREAKING NEWS... From The T.B.F.

TBF Assists a Nation's President Set a New Standard for Billfish Conservation

Lima, Peru. Peru's President Allan Garcia and Minister of Production Rafael Rey, with the assistance of The Billfish Foundation (TBF) and world renowned film maker and conservationist, Dan Winitzky, stepped forward onto the world conservation stage, going where no national leader has gone before. "Winitzky was the hinge," said TBF President Ellen Peel, "between TBF's technical expertise and Peru's government in making this giant conservation step for billfish a reality." One of Winitzky's conservation films led the successful campaign in Peru to save one of National Geographic's Society Seven Iconic Natural Sanctuaries – the Bahuaja Sonene Park (Candamo), which comprises 1,092,142 hectares of Peru's lowland and montane rainforest. Click here for the full story...

Visit the President's web site for details in Spanish: http://www.presidencia.gob.pe/
**Pictured above: Dave Ferrell (Marlin magazine), President Garcia, Ministers of Production and Tourism Rafael Rey and Mercedes Araoz, and Ellen Peel TBF President discuss Peru's exciting billfishing future.

Win A Fishing Trip With George Poveromo

Enter for the chance of a lifetime!

Win A fishing trip with the legendary sport fishing guide George Poveromo. George Poveromo is a Senior Editor with Salt Water Sportsman Magazine and a world renowned angling authority. He is also the host of George Poveromo's World Of Saltwater Fishing. on ESPN 2.

In this contest there are 4 video's 3 are true stories and 1 is a big lie.

You guessed it the object here is to pick out the lie!!

Below you will find the introduction video:

Now it's time to enter for your chance win your dream trip to fish with George.
Watch the video's carefully and pick out the lie to win!

To enter the conest click(here)