03-16-2007, 10:10 PM
In less than a decade it's become the most prestigious bluewater catch-and-release fishing tournament in the world hosting the single largest contingent of international teams ever to compete in a fishing competition.
Just two months away, a record 69 teams will compete in the eighth annual IGFA Offshore World Championship, May 20 - 25, off the southern tip of Mexico's Baja peninsula at Cabo San Lucas.<br />
"We could again have representation of teams from over 30 countries," said tournament coordinator Ms. Lesley Arico.<br />
There will be 49 teams representing tournaments in the countries and territories of Angola (4), Australia (3), the Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda (2), Brazil (2), Canada (2), Costa Rica (2), Ecuador, England, Grenada, Guatemala, Italy (4), Jamaica, Kenya (2), Kingdom of Tonga, Mexico (6), New Zealand, Panama, Portugal, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, Senegal, Spain (3), Sultanate of Oman, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks and Caicos, Vanuatu and Venezuela.<br />
Seventeen more teams registered are winners from U.S. 2006 qualifying tournaments. Many of the teams will be represented by anglers from a number of additional countries.<br />
Also pre-registered are three past Rolex/IGFA championship teams including defending back-to-back 2005 and 2006 winners in Tom Schramm of Roselle, Ill., fellow Chicago-land teammate Scott Segal, Libertyville, Ill., and Ray Rosher, Miami, Florida.<br />
Not only was the well orchestrated team the first to successfully defend their title last year they also set a new team total of 7228.2 points on 24 striped marlin releases including an amazing 10 releases the final day of the four day competition. Each marlin release counted 300 points. Using circle hooks a total of 473 marlin were caught and safely released among the 64 teams entered.<br />
This year's pre-registered teams qualified by winning one of 132 IGFA sanctioned tournaments held in 40 countries worldwide during 2006. It's the sixth straight year Cabo San Lucas, has been chosen as the location for the four-day catch-and-release event.<br />
Each day the teams will fish on a different boat, all guided by local Cabo captains, for marlin and other billfish. The top team will win engraved watches along with trophies and merchandise. Awards are presented through to the third place finishing team.<br />
Partners and sponsors for the IGFA Offshore World Championship are Costa Del Mar sunglasses, Hotel Finisterra, Momoi, Baptist Health International, Guy Harvey, Inc., Mold Craft Products, Picante Sport Fishing and Yacht Sales, Cabo Yachts, Outdoor Channel, K D & G Sea Life Masterpieces, Shimano, Hook & Tackle, Murray Products, AFTCO Bluewater, Bodo Muche, IWS Scales, King Sailfish Mounts, Corona and Modelo S.A. de C.V. Mexico, Trans Cabo, and API Dock.<br />
Updated information and a listing of the registered teams can be found on the IGFA web site at www.igfa.org under the fishing tab on the home page by clicking on "tournaments."<br />
Questions regarding sign-up of qualifying tournaments for the 2008 IGFA OWC should be directed to Ms. Lesley Arico at 954-924-4222 or via e-mail at LArico@igfa.org.
Just two months away, a record 69 teams will compete in the eighth annual IGFA Offshore World Championship, May 20 - 25, off the southern tip of Mexico's Baja peninsula at Cabo San Lucas.<br />
"We could again have representation of teams from over 30 countries," said tournament coordinator Ms. Lesley Arico.<br />
There will be 49 teams representing tournaments in the countries and territories of Angola (4), Australia (3), the Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda (2), Brazil (2), Canada (2), Costa Rica (2), Ecuador, England, Grenada, Guatemala, Italy (4), Jamaica, Kenya (2), Kingdom of Tonga, Mexico (6), New Zealand, Panama, Portugal, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, Senegal, Spain (3), Sultanate of Oman, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks and Caicos, Vanuatu and Venezuela.<br />
Seventeen more teams registered are winners from U.S. 2006 qualifying tournaments. Many of the teams will be represented by anglers from a number of additional countries.<br />
Also pre-registered are three past Rolex/IGFA championship teams including defending back-to-back 2005 and 2006 winners in Tom Schramm of Roselle, Ill., fellow Chicago-land teammate Scott Segal, Libertyville, Ill., and Ray Rosher, Miami, Florida.<br />
Not only was the well orchestrated team the first to successfully defend their title last year they also set a new team total of 7228.2 points on 24 striped marlin releases including an amazing 10 releases the final day of the four day competition. Each marlin release counted 300 points. Using circle hooks a total of 473 marlin were caught and safely released among the 64 teams entered.<br />
This year's pre-registered teams qualified by winning one of 132 IGFA sanctioned tournaments held in 40 countries worldwide during 2006. It's the sixth straight year Cabo San Lucas, has been chosen as the location for the four-day catch-and-release event.<br />
Each day the teams will fish on a different boat, all guided by local Cabo captains, for marlin and other billfish. The top team will win engraved watches along with trophies and merchandise. Awards are presented through to the third place finishing team.<br />
Partners and sponsors for the IGFA Offshore World Championship are Costa Del Mar sunglasses, Hotel Finisterra, Momoi, Baptist Health International, Guy Harvey, Inc., Mold Craft Products, Picante Sport Fishing and Yacht Sales, Cabo Yachts, Outdoor Channel, K D & G Sea Life Masterpieces, Shimano, Hook & Tackle, Murray Products, AFTCO Bluewater, Bodo Muche, IWS Scales, King Sailfish Mounts, Corona and Modelo S.A. de C.V. Mexico, Trans Cabo, and API Dock.<br />
Updated information and a listing of the registered teams can be found on the IGFA web site at www.igfa.org under the fishing tab on the home page by clicking on "tournaments."<br />
Questions regarding sign-up of qualifying tournaments for the 2008 IGFA OWC should be directed to Ms. Lesley Arico at 954-924-4222 or via e-mail at LArico@igfa.org.