Caloosa Catch & Release returns next weekend
The event that founded fishing tournaments in 1989 enters its 22nd season with “The Return To Paradise Tour,” coming back home to Captiva Island.
The Caloosa Catch & Release Tournament began with an idea for a novel fundraiser. In the late 80s while Ron Riley served as president of the Rotary Club South in Fort Myers, he wanted to create a fundraiser to promote the area. Through his expertise in marketing, Riley knew it had to be something interesting.
“There were tons of golf tournaments,” he said about how the idea for the Caloosa Catch and Release fishing tournament evolved. “We knew it had to be a unique event.”
With no history or track record to attract sponsors to the inaugural event, Riley went into a Barnes and Noble bookstore – a time before Google ruled the world’s information – and purchased a book on how to contact various celebrities.
“I typed 100 letters and sent them off to people,” Riley said.
The response was phenomenal and provided a strong foundation for the event. After three years of celebrity participation, Riley knew it was time to turn the focus to the core elements of the tournament: Fun, fishing, families and fundraising.
During its first decade, the tournament was held at Tween Waters. Eventually it outgrew that island resort and was moved to the South Seas Island Resort. Following the destruction on Captiva from Hurricane Charley, the event was relocated to Pink Shell Beach Resort and Spa on Fort Myers Beach.
South Seas Island Resort will once again be hosting the 22nd annual Caloosa Catch & Release – presented by Yamaha and Fort Myers Marina – to be held June 9-12.
“I’m excited,” said Riley about the tournament’s return to South Seas. “People would make a vacation out of it and I’m excited to get back to that concept.”
Through the years, the tournament has become a place where friendships were forged, deals were struck and business was done all while having a little friendly competition on the water.
“The best part, as highly competitive as this tournament has been, we’re still here with a product that works without the intimidation factor.”
Anglers of every skill level – from experienced to novice – will have the opportunity to compete for cash, prizes and trophies with family and friends welcome to stay and enjoy this destination resort and family-friendly tournament weekend.
With plenty of chances to win money and only that special opportunity to be named Caloosa Champion, the overall winner will be determined by the heaviest combined weight of all species of fish for both days of competition.
Tournament check-in opens at 3 p.m. on June 9 with an open bar sponsored by Bahama Breeze Island Grille, where anglers will be given official Caloosa Tournament gear. That evening, teams will gather for the Captain’s Party and Rules meeting with dinner and drinks hosted by South Seas and Budweiser.
Friday morning, June 10 opens the competition. There will be a special category for both ladies and youth (12 years or younger). The weigh station will be open from 3 to 5 p.m., where everyone can watch the returning teams weigh and score and release their catch of the day. That night, there will be an auction and dinner where anglers, guests and the general public can mingle and bid on great items.
Saturday, June 11 will have the same schedule of fishing with even more exciting plans for everyone at the weigh station. The awards banquet will be held that evening with all cash plus trophies given to the winning teams in all categories, including the ladies and youth divisions and winners of the Hooters Redfish Bonanza.
“There are so many generations of families fishing. A couple of families have four generations of fishermen,” noted Riley.
The Caloosa Tournament Series also includes the Summer Slam hosted by Pink Shell from Sept. 23-26 and the Caloosa Grand Championship at South Seas from Nov. 4-6.
For information on how to enter the tournament or any rules, visit www.caloosacatchandrelease.com‘>www.caloosacatchandrelease.com‘>www.caloosacatchandrelease.com‘>www.caloosacatchandrelease.com‘>www.caloosacatchandrelease.com‘>www.caloosacatchandrelease.com‘>www.caloosacatchandrelease.com‘>www.caloosacatchandrelease.com or contact Ron Riley at 671-9347 or Kristi Riley at 850-1707. For information on special hotel rates at South Seas, call room control coordinator Bellamy Hackney at 579-1477 between 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For after-hours reservations at South Seas, call 888-707-7888 and mention group code: CCR2011.
“Registration for the tournament is still open,” said Riley. “It would also be a lot of fun for the public to attend the Friday night auction and dinner, after watching the teams and boats return that day.”
In addition to the sponsors already named above, Signature Sponsors include Landshark Lager, BOATMASTER Trailer, Diversified Yacht Services, Bass Pro Shops, ESPN Sports Radio 770, Quenzel & Associates, Red Salon & Spa, WINK News Radio 1200/1460, Culligan, Redi Med of Bonita Springs, Pink Shell Beach Resort and Spa, The Crowne Plaza, Shoeless Joes, Wiltshire, Whitley, Richard and English, Lazy Flamingo and Englewood Glass and Mirror.