EOSS to include IGFA Inshore Champ.
For the second consecutive year, ESPN Outdoors will integrate the 2010 Florida Keys Outfitters IGFA Inshore World Championship as part of the Built Ford Tough ESPN Outdoors Saltwater Series presented by Takemefishing.org and will be aired on ESPN2 and presented on other ESPN Outdoors multimedia platforms, including daily tournament coverage at ESPNOutdoors.com.
"The ESPN Outdoors Saltwater Series continues to show tremendous growth," said Jamie Wilkinson, senior director of event operations and business development, ESPN Outdoors. "Integrating this premier event into the Saltwater Series provides us with some excellent content opportunities."
The championship, set for July 13-15 in Islamorada, Fla., began in 2001 and has grown into a premier inshore fishing event. Invitations are being sent to the winners of 42 qualifying fishing tournaments held in 2009 in the U.S., Trinidad & Tobago, Sweden, Belize, the Bahamas and Australia.
All five of the targeted species — bonefish, tarpon, permit, redfish and snook — can be readily found in the unique Florida Bay fishery centrally located in Islamorada. Fishing and scoring takes place from the World Wide Sportsman's Bayside Marina.
In 2009, Sandy Moret, owner of Florida Keys Outfitters began managing the event and will continue to do so in 2010. As in 2009, the FKO/IGFA Inshore World Championship will host two divisions: light tackle and fly.
"Our goal is to expand the presence of this tournament," said Moret, an IGFA rules committee member. "Through ESPN's multimedia coverage, we hope to highlight the IGFA's role in preserving the traditions and heritage of sport fishing."
At the 2009 tournament, which played out in July, Jared Raskob, of Key Largo, Fla., won the inshore fly title while Mike Gallops of Naples, Fla., won the light tackle crown.
For more information on the Florida Keys Outfitters / IGFA Inshore World Championship and qualifying tournaments, fishing fans can visit www.inshoreworldchampionships.com.
ESPN Outdoors will release the entire Saltwater Series 2010 schedule in the coming months.
