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