2008 IGFA Inshore World Championship Tournament Update #1

2008 IGFA Inshore World Championship Tournament Update #3

Greetings from IGFA!

As of this writing we’ve completed 100% of our qualifying events and have many of the winning anglers signed up for the June 29 – July 2, 2008 Championship Tournament.  Our last qualifying event of the year was the 2nd International Peacock Bass World Championship Tournament which was held November 30 – December 7  in Amazonia, Brazil and now we're counting down the days until the championship!

So far this year, we are happy to welcome back tournaments that were held in Australia, Brazil and Uganda.  We are also proud to have our qualifying events back this year from British Columbia, the Bahamas, and 14 states from across the country.  This year we welcome Johan Pettersson, winner of the Pike Challenge that took place in Ornskoldsvik, Sweden.  Already signed up are Phil Clark, representing the 26th Barramundi Classic from Australia and Gustaf Brew, winner of the Murchison Falls Open Fishing Competition, our Uganda tournament.   

Several qualifying tournament winners have inquired about “practice days”.  We have a pool of talented tournament guides to accommodate those anglers wanting to come in a day or two early to practice. To arrange for a guide, please contact us directly at IGFA for a list of guides who will be available for practice days.

There are still rooms available at our host hotel, The Islander Resort and they have extended their IGFA "special" tournament rates for 2 days before and 2 days after the championship.  The Islander Resort offers all IGFA Inshore World Championship Tournament guests special room rates from June 26 through July 4, 2008.

Reservations can be made as early as possible for choice room selections. You can make reservations directly through their website: www.islanderfloridakeys.com.  At the top middle left of the home page you will see a Group Reservations icon.  Once you click on that, the next page will ask for an attendee’s pass code.  The pass code is:  igfa608.  If you prefer not to use the online reservation system, please contact The Islander Resort anytime Monday through Friday and ask for Reservations at 1-800-753-6002. Please identify yourself as IGFA World Championship Tournament guests.

In the past, some anglers have inquired about transportation from Miami Airport to the Islander Resort.  The following is a list of means of transportation and 2007 quotes.  Please re-confirm everything with individual companies as rates may have changed for 2008.

Platinum partner Mercury Marine is back once again as the "Official Outboard Motor” of the IGFA Inshore World Championship Tournament.  Pasta Pantaleo, Reel Life Art, has been named as the “Official Artist” of the championship for the third year. 

We look forward to another exciting and memorable championship thanks to our host marina, World Wide Sportsman and Bayside Marina.  Also, we'd like to thank our tournament partners; Shimano, G▪Loomis, 3M Scientific Angler, Hook & Tackle, Islamorada Fish Company, Stiffy Push Poles, The Islander Resort, Momoi Hi-Liner,  Zane Grey Lounge, K D & G Sea Life Masterpieces, Rapala, Image Graphics 2000, Daiichi and the Redbone Tournaments for their continued support.  

Prizes will include fabulous ROLEX watches, dynamite Costa Del Mar sunglasses and beautiful release mount trophies created by King Sailfish Mounts.  In your angler bags will be a great tournament shirt provided by Hook & Tackle.  We look forward to refreshments served by Bacardi after fishing each day by the scoreboard at World Wide Sportsman.

Continental breakfast and lunches are included in the championship registration fee and will be available each morning dockside before fishing.

We are finalizing the tournament schedule and details on species, line classes, fly division, scoring and general rules.  One significant change made in 2007 was in the awards category.  Rolex timepieces will be awarded to the Grand Champion, Artificial Lure Division Champion, Fly Rod Division Champion, and Bait Casting Division Champion. 

For more information or if you have any questions, please contact Denise Hartman at IGFA headquarters (954) 924-4243 or dhartman@igfa.org.  Also, check out our website http://www.igfa.org/tour.asp  for a list of anglers signed up so far competing in this year’s championship, updates, etc.

            See you in THE KEYS and GOOD FISHING!

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