Caloosa Tournament Series Official Website
Subscribe Today
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Catch a Winner!
Pink Shell to Host Caloosa Catch & Release Tournament
It's all happening on Ft. Myers Beach
There is no greater delight for an angler than cruising with friends or family in a fast boat to a favorite fishing hole, basking in sun on sparkling water, watching birds dive and dolphins splash while casting into the mirrored surface . . . and then hooking a muscular fish that zings line out, bends the fishing rod double, leaps and dives. A timeless battle is joined between fisher and fished - with a happy ending for both when the wily prey is boated, measured, photographed, weighed, and released alive.
That's the satisfaction anglers will enjoy at the 20th Anniversary Caloosa Catch & Release Tournament, hosted by Pink Shell Beach Resort & Spa on Ft. Myers Beach from June 4 - 6. Yet this is far more than another fishing expedition for grizzled veterans of the Gulf or the Back Bay. The Caloosa Series Tournaments are multifaceted, family-friendly events featuring daily televised weigh-ins, gala dinners, activities for children, vendors, and pampering services. Teams will run the gamut from professional anglers to groups of family and friends.
Said Caloosa Tournament Series Director, Ron Riley: "We've really been embraced by the Ft. Myers Beach community. With three tournaments held at Pink Shell in the Caloosa Series [including the 11th annual Summer Slam, Sept. 11 - 13, and the Caloosa Grand Championship, Nov. 6 - 8, 2009], and two new ones coming to the island [Silver King Classic in June, and Grouper Grab in August], we are really spotlighting the Beach. These events bring in lots of people in the summer and fall months."
How the tournament works
With $30,000 in cash, trophies and prizes, the Caloosa tournament awards points - by size - only for fish "caught and released in good condition" on rod and reel, hook and line, during two full days of fishing. As Pink Shell's Director of Sales and Marketing, Ellis Etter, explains: "We really support the catch and release concept, so there will be fish for our children and grandchildren to enjoy."
Ron Riley added: "We value the fisheries resource, and our goal, since the tournament series was founded in 1989, has always been to preserve and conserve these natural resources."
Eligible tournament species are snook, redfish, and spotted sea trout, with one mystery fish announced each day. Entry fees for 2009 have been "reeled back", and a separate entry fee entitles teams to compete for $15,000 in cash for the "Hooter's Catch the Big Ones Redfish Bonanza".
The Caloosa Catch & Release Tournament features a raft of prizes, including awards for:
- 2009 Team of the Year,
- Rookie Team of the Year
- the prestigious Caloosa Sportsman of the Year
- the top three teams in the guided and non-guided divisions and
- the Hooter's Catch the Big Ones Redfish Bonanza.
Special trophies and prizes will be awarded in the Ladies' and Youth (age 12 and under) Divisions. It was a ladies' team that won the Grand Championship in November 2008.
Unique features this year include 20th Anniversary Specialty Awards, a photo contest, decals for teams that catch all three featured species both days, and for those that catch the most total fish, and limited 20th Anniversary tournament gear.
For the first time, the Caloosa Catch & Release Tournament will be filmed by the World Fishing Network, and broadcast in high definition later in the summer. Each team will have its moment in the Calcutta Weigh-In Spotlight, from 3 - 6 p.m. at Pink Shell on both Friday and Saturday, June 5 - 6.
Presenting sponsors are Yamaha and Ft. Myers Marine. Sponsors include Landshark, Hooter's of South Florida, Boatmaster, Bahama Breeze, Island Grille, Shoeless Joe's, and dozens of other local and national businesses.
Details on entries, regulations, awards, special events, and sponsors are on the Caloosa Catch & Release Tournament website at http://caloosacatchandrelease.com <http://caloosacatchandrelease.com/>
Family-friendly; public invited
"Our core values haven't changed," said Ron Riley. "They are fishing, fun, families, and fund raising." The event that launched southwest Florida public fishing tournaments in 1989, Caloosa Catch & Release offers activities, refreshments, and entertainment for the entire family.
"This year will be really festive, with a lot going on in addition to fishing," noted Pink Shell's Ellis Etter. "At the weigh-in barbeques we'll have Hooter's girls, vendor booths, displays, and massages." For kids, the weigh-ins feature face painting, face "tattooing", and balloon animals.
"Just watching the boats arrive to weigh their catches before release is great entertainment," said Ron Riley. "The Pink Shell property, with its swimming pools, beach, and marina, is a preferred destination in itself. It's a home run in terms of all the amenities, not just for fishing but also for families to enjoy a vacation."
The public is encouraged to participate in the tournament in a variety of ways, which include fielding a team. The number of anglers per team is unlimited, and wade fishing is now allowed. "There's no intimidation factor," according to Riley. "We have everyone from seasoned pros to novices; it's a real pro-am tournament, and everyone is welcome." He added: "We've got a number of families that have three generations fishing together."
Everyone is welcome to attend the Auction and Dinner on Friday, June 5. A $50 ticket provides a gourmet dinner and the chance to bid on items that include a Yamaha F150 motor, fishing gear, resort packages, golf excursions, gift baskets and certificates, art, jewelry, and more. "Plus, you get to mingle with the anglers and hear all those great fish stories," noted Riley. The proceeds support marine ecosystem education.
Supporting good causes
Since its inception 20 years ago, the Caloosa Catch & Release Tournament has supported local causes, especially those related to children and education. "We have given over $450,000 to 34 organizations over the years," said Ron Riley. "In the past eight years alone, we have donated over $250,000 to Florida Gulf Coast University for athletic scholarships.
"This year, through FGCU, the tournament will give to the Vester Marine Research Field Station, where students learn about marine environmental restoration," said Riley. "It provides both hands-on field exploration and lab work, and is very much in line with what we represent in terms of conservation."
A key supporter of the tournament is the Ft. Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce. "During these challenging times in the economy, we appreciate that Pink Shell is hosting and so many businesses have stepped up as sponsors," said Carl Conley, Chamber President. "We applaud the tournament's catch and release theme. It reminds us all that we must be stewards of our natural resources. This family-oriented event also provides great enjoyment for local residents and visitors alike."
It's the fishing . . . and more
The growing popularity of fishing tournaments is reflected in the World Fishing Network devoting an entire future episode to the 20th Anniversary Caloosa Catch & Release Tournament. Fishing shows - even an entire fishing network - reflect a maturing sport that, over the years, has evolved from "kill" tournaments to a catch and release orientation, and a focus on protecting the natural environment.
"When I started this tournament back in 1989, there were no other public fishing tournaments in southwest Florida," recalled Ron Riley. "Now there are professional, semi-pro, and a whole host of other fishing tournaments - generally a handful every weekend."
Chuck Hawkins, owner of Presenting Sponsor, Fort Myers Marine, agrees about the trend, and praises the caliber of the Caloosa Tournament Series.
"Being in the boating and fishing industry for almost 20 years, I've been involved in hundreds of tournaments," Hawkins said. "Caloosa is ranked number one by my standards. From the business standpoint, it's the best value in marketing for Fort Myers Marine. And you can't top the atmosphere, location, friendly people, staff, and lack of stress."
The anglers also come out in force, fielding more than 50 teams. "One of the main things that brings out many people, including me, is that this is not just a fishing tournament; it's an event," said longtime tournament fisherman Troy Bruns. "A major event at a beautiful resort, that you're proud to take your wife and kids to. The dinners, the auction . . . everything is done top-notch. It's a social experience that comes along with a lot of great fishing." As winner of two Caloosa Grand Championships - and hence, two boats - plus a first place and two second places in the Hooter's Redfish Bonanza, Bruns observed: "The Caloosa has treated me very well."
Chris Wittman, born and raised in Fort Myers, has been a fishing guide for 10 years, and a Caloosa Tournament participant for 15 years. "I fish professionally on redfish tours," said Wittman, who this year expects to take part in nearly 30 tournaments all around the Gulf coast. At this year's Caloosa Catch & Release Tournament, Wittman is fishing with two ladies from the Naples Hooter's.
"A lot of good networking happens at these events," said Wittman. "We get good local exposure for our sponsors, at a great community event that supports good causes. And we get to catch fish and hang out with our friends."
Does it get any better than that?
Janet Sailian
Click here to enter a team.
Top 10 Leaderboard
| 2010 Caloosa Shootout | |
|---|---|
| Ripsaw | 20.9 |
| Organized Chaos | 19.6 |
| RS Walsh Landscaping | 19.4 |
| Yankee Dooley and the Dandee's | 19.0 |
| Backwater Bandits | 19.0 |
| Flounder? Really?!? Flounder?? | 17.8 |
| Hooter's | 15.8 |
| Landshark #1 | 15.7 |
| Lowrance - Skeeter | 15.0 |
| JM Todd | 14.6 |
Redfish |
|
| Lowrance - Skeeter | 15 |
| JM Todd | 14.6 |
| RS Walsh Landscaping | 14.4 |
Lady Angler |
|
| Sherry Hale | 16.6 |
| Jen Glass | 13.1 |
| Valerie Judge | 8.2 |
Junior Angler |
|
| Jake Sonn | 6.8 |
| Zac Sonn | 4.3 |
| Click here to see complete 2010 Tournament Series results. | |