CHEECA'S PRESIDENTIAL SAILFISH TOURNAMENT SET FOR JAN. 20-22

ISLAMORADA, Florida Keys - The 16th annual Cheeca Lodge Presidential Sailfish Tournament is to get underway Thursday, Jan. 20, with registration beginning at 5 p.m. in the presidential tent at Cheeca Lodge, mile marker (MM) 82 oceanside in Islamorada.

At 5:30 p.m. a cocktail reception is scheduled, preceding a captains meeting at 6 p.m. and a buffet dinner at 6:30 p.m.

Anglers are to target sailfish Friday and Saturday, Jan. 21-22. Lines in the water is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on both fishing days, with lines out at 4:30 p.m. Friday and 3:30 p.m. Saturday.

A cocktail reception is slated for 6:30 p.m. Saturday, to be followed by the Presidential Banquet at 7 p.m. and an awards presentation at 8:30 p.m. The Presidential Sailfish Tournament is an official event of the World Billfish Series (WBS), Southeast Division. The WBS is comprised of nearly 60 prestigious billfish tournaments in seven worldwide divisions. More than 30,000 anglers fish the WBS World Tour.

The top ten anglers in each of the seven divisions are invited to the WBS grand championships. Also, the top angler from each individual tournament is to receive an invitation to the grand championships where the WBS World Champion of Billfishing will be crowned.

During the 2004 Presidential Sailfish Tournament, 65 boats with 157 anglers aboard released 299 sails.

The 2005 tournament is sponsored by Mercury Outboard and World Wide Sportsman, MM 81.5, Islamorada.

Entry fees are $595 for the first angler per boat and $545 for each additional angler. Social guests can attend events for $60 per person per event.

Cheeca Lodge has set aside a block of rooms for tournament participants. For information or reservations, call 1-800-327-2888 and ask for the Presidential Sailfish Tournament room block.

For more information about the sailfish challenge, call tournament director Liz Hill at 305-451-5094.

To find out about other area accommodations, call the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-322-5397 or 305-664-4503, or explore this Web site.