09-02-2009, 11:10 AM
Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands, Florida - The Snook Foundation is planning the inaugural Florida Oktoberfest Inshore Slam Challenge October 23 - 25, 2009, in Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands, Florida. Laishley Park Municipal Marina in Punta Gorda will serve as the base point for the photo release tournament directed by Classic Tournaments. Between 100 and 200 anglers are anticipated to participate and anglers can enter in either the Guided Division or Non-guided Division. All teams can enter the Big Fish Bonanza.
The Friends of Inshore Fishing Banquet and Auction will be hosted Saturday night by Captains Table Restaurant at Fishermen's Village in Punta Gorda. Open to tournament anglers and the general public by prepaid reservation, the banquet promises great food, interesting speakers and a silent auction packed with fishing related treasures. For reservations email Linda@snookfoundation.org
Tournament Format
The combined length in inches of the longest trout, redfish and snook for each day will determine the final score. Wading is permitted in all of the divisions.
Tournament Divisions<br />
Guided Division: Two anglers plus provided guide. Guide may rig tackle and assist in landing and photographing fish; guides may not cast or fish for their anglers. Entry fee per team: $1,600. Prize money: based on 20 registered guided teams: $10,000.
Non-Guided Division: Three anglers maximum per boat. All anglers may fish. Entry fee per angler: $200. Prize money: based on 40 registered non-guided teams: $12,000.
Big Fish Bonanza: All teams may enter. Prizes will be awarded based on the combined weight of one snook and one redfish for each day of the tournament. All fish must be weighed and released alive. Entry fee per team: $250. Prize money: based on 50 registered teams = $10,000.
In addition to the Big Fish Bonanza, a redfish print by renowned Florida wildlife artist Richard Powers will be awarded to the first angler photographing and releasing a redfish with a dart tag from the Kids Cup Tournament. These redfish are plentiful in Charlotte Harbor's waters as many were tagged and released during the April 2009 Annual Kids Cup Tournament. The Kids Cup Tournament is one of the few that tags then releases redfish for study with both traditional dart and acoustic tags. Anglers who catch a redfish with a dart tag should record the identification number along with the date, place of capture and length of fish and call the information into the Redfish Hotline at 1-800-367-4461. Powers will be attending the fishing tournament and will personally Remarque the print.
Anglers interested in registering are encouraged to do so by October 12, 2009. After that date, a $50 fee is added to the tournament registration fee. The tournament registration form and additional information about the event can be found at www.SnookFoundation.org.
About the Snook Foundation<br />
The Snook Foundation is Florida's Inshore Angler Alliance and supports research, education, growth and development that retains Florida's natural fish and wildlife abundance. www.snookfoundation.org
About Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands<br />
Located halfway between Tampa and Naples on the Southwest Florida Gulf coast, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands is a charming collection of nine coastal communities surrounding the state's second largest harbor. Florida's premier year-round eco-tourism destination, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands offers a pristine unspoiled beauty that has served as the backdrop for seven major feature films as well as countlessmemorable vacations. A haven for outdoor enthusiasts, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands has been named to SAIL magazine's "10 Greatest Places to Sail in the United States," ranked by Golf Digest as "Third Best Place to Live and Play Golf in America," and rated by MONEY magazine as one of the "Best Places to Live in the South." The city of Punta Gorda was named in September as one of "Top Ten Places to Retire Healthy" by U.S. News & World Report. Englewood, Fla., was just named as #2 of the Top Ten emerging travel destinations in the U.S. by TripAdvisor.com.
For information about area events, activities and attractions, contact the Charlotte Harbor Visitor's Bureau, 18501 Murdock Circle, Suite 502, Port Charlotte, FL 33948; 941-743-1900, or call toll free at 1-800-652-6090 for a free Visitor's Guide; or visit the Web site at www.CharlotteHarborTravel.com.
Media Contact<br />
Classic Tournaments Inc. Contact: Jerry Cleffi, Director, Office- 941-637-5953; Cell 941-628-0702 or jerry@flatsmasters.com<br />
Snook Foundation Contact: Linda Roberts, (407) 302-5550 or linda@snookfoundation.org<br />
Charlotte Harbor Visitor & Convention Bureau Contact: Jennifer Huber, Tourism Public Relations Manager, (941) 743-1900 or Jennifer.Huber@charlottefl.com
The Friends of Inshore Fishing Banquet and Auction will be hosted Saturday night by Captains Table Restaurant at Fishermen's Village in Punta Gorda. Open to tournament anglers and the general public by prepaid reservation, the banquet promises great food, interesting speakers and a silent auction packed with fishing related treasures. For reservations email Linda@snookfoundation.org
Tournament Format
The combined length in inches of the longest trout, redfish and snook for each day will determine the final score. Wading is permitted in all of the divisions.
Tournament Divisions<br />
Guided Division: Two anglers plus provided guide. Guide may rig tackle and assist in landing and photographing fish; guides may not cast or fish for their anglers. Entry fee per team: $1,600. Prize money: based on 20 registered guided teams: $10,000.
Non-Guided Division: Three anglers maximum per boat. All anglers may fish. Entry fee per angler: $200. Prize money: based on 40 registered non-guided teams: $12,000.
Big Fish Bonanza: All teams may enter. Prizes will be awarded based on the combined weight of one snook and one redfish for each day of the tournament. All fish must be weighed and released alive. Entry fee per team: $250. Prize money: based on 50 registered teams = $10,000.
In addition to the Big Fish Bonanza, a redfish print by renowned Florida wildlife artist Richard Powers will be awarded to the first angler photographing and releasing a redfish with a dart tag from the Kids Cup Tournament. These redfish are plentiful in Charlotte Harbor's waters as many were tagged and released during the April 2009 Annual Kids Cup Tournament. The Kids Cup Tournament is one of the few that tags then releases redfish for study with both traditional dart and acoustic tags. Anglers who catch a redfish with a dart tag should record the identification number along with the date, place of capture and length of fish and call the information into the Redfish Hotline at 1-800-367-4461. Powers will be attending the fishing tournament and will personally Remarque the print.
Anglers interested in registering are encouraged to do so by October 12, 2009. After that date, a $50 fee is added to the tournament registration fee. The tournament registration form and additional information about the event can be found at www.SnookFoundation.org.
About the Snook Foundation<br />
The Snook Foundation is Florida's Inshore Angler Alliance and supports research, education, growth and development that retains Florida's natural fish and wildlife abundance. www.snookfoundation.org
About Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands<br />
Located halfway between Tampa and Naples on the Southwest Florida Gulf coast, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands is a charming collection of nine coastal communities surrounding the state's second largest harbor. Florida's premier year-round eco-tourism destination, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands offers a pristine unspoiled beauty that has served as the backdrop for seven major feature films as well as countlessmemorable vacations. A haven for outdoor enthusiasts, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands has been named to SAIL magazine's "10 Greatest Places to Sail in the United States," ranked by Golf Digest as "Third Best Place to Live and Play Golf in America," and rated by MONEY magazine as one of the "Best Places to Live in the South." The city of Punta Gorda was named in September as one of "Top Ten Places to Retire Healthy" by U.S. News & World Report. Englewood, Fla., was just named as #2 of the Top Ten emerging travel destinations in the U.S. by TripAdvisor.com.
For information about area events, activities and attractions, contact the Charlotte Harbor Visitor's Bureau, 18501 Murdock Circle, Suite 502, Port Charlotte, FL 33948; 941-743-1900, or call toll free at 1-800-652-6090 for a free Visitor's Guide; or visit the Web site at www.CharlotteHarborTravel.com.
Media Contact<br />
Classic Tournaments Inc. Contact: Jerry Cleffi, Director, Office- 941-637-5953; Cell 941-628-0702 or jerry@flatsmasters.com<br />
Snook Foundation Contact: Linda Roberts, (407) 302-5550 or linda@snookfoundation.org<br />
Charlotte Harbor Visitor & Convention Bureau Contact: Jennifer Huber, Tourism Public Relations Manager, (941) 743-1900 or Jennifer.Huber@charlottefl.com