Casting For Cats Ladies Fishing Tournament Set For Oct. 16

ISLAMORADA, Florida Keys -- Created in 2001 as a tournament for fun, the Casting for Cats Ladies All-Tackle Backcountry Tournament is now a major fundraiser to help control the feral cat population of the Upper Keys. The 2010 angling challenge is slated for Saturday, Oct. 16, based at the Islander Resort, mile marker (MM) 82.1 oceanside.

A kick-off party is set for 6 p.m. Friday at the Islander, followed by a rules meeting at 7 p.m. The annual silent auction also opens at 6 p.m.

A single day of fishing begins Saturday, Oct. 16, with breakfast from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. Boats can leave the docks at Worldwide Sportsman, MM 81.5 bayside, at 7:15 a.m. Lines-in is set for 7:30 a.m. and lines-out at 3 p.m.

The tournament targets Keys anglers' favorite inshore fish species in an all-release format. Female anglers can earn points for catching bonefish, permit, tarpon, snook and redfish using bait, artificial lures or fly tackle. Points also are awarded for ladyfish, sharks, jacks and spotted sea trout (also known as speckled trout).

Though overall grand champion honors are to be prized, the real catch is the Cat-Fish trophy, a handmade sculpture of (what else?) a cat and a fish. The prestigious Cat-Fish trophy awaits the angler catching the largest catfish.

The awards banquet at the Islander begins with cocktails at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner and presentations starting at 7:30 p.m.

The silent auction continues at noon Saturday and closes at 7:30 p.m. Proceeds from the tournament and silent auction are used to underwrite the spaying or neutering and medical needs of injured feral cats in the Florida Keys.

Entry fee for the tournament is $125 per angler. Additional social tickets are $20 and $30 for Friday and Saturday, respectively.

For more information, call Sharon Mahoney-Ellenwood at 305-664-2012 or 305-393-6174, or visit www.castingforcats.org/events.htm.

Special room rates are available at the Islander Resort the weekend of the tournament. To find out about other area accommodations, call the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce at 305-664-4503 or 800-322-5397, or visit the Keys' website at www.fla-keys.com.