ISLAMORADA, Florida Keys - The International Game Fish Association is to hold its 2008 Inshore World Championship in the Sportfishing Capital of the World - the tiny village of Islamorada - for the eighth straight year Sunday through Wednesday, June 29 through July 2.

What Islamorada lacks in land mass it makes up for with near-shore waters teeming with the world's choicest selection of inshore sport fish: bonefish, tarpon, permit, snook and redfish.

The Inshore World Championship brings the winners of IGFA qualifying tournaments from around the world to compete for the grand champion's trophy.

Phillip Clark, representing the 2007 NT Barramundi Classic held in Australia, and Gustaf Brew, winner of the Murchison Falls Open in Uganda, have signed up to compete. Also traveling a long distance is Johan Pettersson who won the Pike Challenge in Sweden. Other champions invited to compete include former NASA astronaut Bruce Melnick and retired National Football League lineman Mark Cooper.

Florida Keys anglers John Timura, Jim Bokor, Robert Collins, Linda Denkert, Jeff Bloodworth, Betsy Bullard, Jesse LeBoeuf, Rick Moeller, Jim Trice and Paul Wingrove also were invited for winning qualifying tournaments.

The tentative schedule calls for anglers to check in and register 2 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, June 29, at the Islander Resort, mile marker (MM) 82.1 oceanside in Islamorada. A captains and anglers meeting and boat draw are set to follow at 6 p.m., with the welcome dinner scheduled at 7 p.m.

The competition begins Monday, June 30, with breakfast served at the World Wide Sportsman, MM 81.5 bayside, from 6 a.m. Lines in is set for 7 a.m. and lines out is to be called at 3 p.m.

Appetizers and refreshments are to be served 3-5 p.m. dockside compliments of Zane Grey Lounge, Islamorada Fish Co., World Wide Sportsman and Bacardi, with cocktails and dinner starting at 7 p.m. in the Zane Grey Lounge at World Wide Sportsman.

The second day of competition, Tuesday, follows the same schedule, but with a free evening.

The final day of fishing, Wednesday, July 2, is to start with breakfast at 6 a.m., and continue with lines in at 7 a.m., lines out at 3 p.m. and check-in, appetizers and refreshments dockside.

The awards banquet is set for 7 p.m. at the Islander Resort.

For more information, call the IGFA at (954) 927-2628 or e-mail dhartman@igfa.org.

To find out about area accommodations, call the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce at (305) 664-4503 or (800) 322-5397, or explore this Web site.