After nearly a decade of creating two of sport fishing's best known world class tournaments, the IGFA has officially passed the management batons of its inshore and offshore competitions to new hands. Under the direction of Sandy Moret, Florida Keys Outfitters in Islamorada, Fla., USA will now run the 2009 Florida Keys Outfitters/IGFA Inshore World Championship.

"Fly fishing and light tackle fishing are uniquely different forms of sport fishing," said Moret. "IGFA regulations and many historically cherished angling traditions maintain a clear cut difference between the two. The basic premise in all conventional light tackle angling is that the weight of the bait or lure takes the line from the reel. In fly fishing it's that the weight of the fly line pulls the fly through the air. Their angling similarity primarily ends there with the exception they share the same playing field.

In order to recognize the difference of skills, technique and expertise required to be a master of either sport, we will recognize and award equally coveted awards to the FKO/IGFA Inshore World Champion Light Tackle Angler and the FKO/IGFA Inshore World Champion Fly Fishing Angler.
"Winning a fly fishing qualifying event, you'll be invited into the fly division and the same if you won in a light tackle event. Each division will have a champion."

The IGFA will continue to hold its auction as a continuing fund raising effort. "We'll have more to announce in the coming months as we add more qualifying events to the 55 presently around the world," said Moret. "I believe this new format will create a fair, fun, and exciting high level of competition. We'll have the ???best of the best' as anglers and guides come together utilizing these unique angling styles plus their natural skills and abilities."

The 2009 tournament is scheduled for July 7 ??? 9. In turn the IGFA's Offshore World Championship stands to grow even larger, thanks to a recently announced partnership with the Bonnier Marine Group.

The championship, which began in 2000, has grown into the sport's premiere offshore fishing series with presently 130 qualifying tournaments in over 38 countries. To be invited to this prestigious event, teams must win one of those tournaments located around the world.
"The Offshore World Championship has representatives from more countries than any other fishing tournament in the world," said IGFA President Rob Kramer.

Bonnier will take on the management side of the championship starting with the 2009 event and is already adding more qualifying events. The IGFA will remain the championship's sole nonprofit benefactor. A fundraiser and auction for the IGFA will be held at the championship and Bonnier will make a charitable donation to the IGFA following each year's event. The championship will continue to use the first-class amenities and boats of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, as its host location. Bonnier, publisher of recreational boating and fishing's most respected and well-known titles such as Marlin, Sport Fishing and Salt Water Sportsman, currently produces fishing tournaments in Bermuda, Mexico and the U.S. Bonnier will support the championship by providing advertising space in its magazines, creating a dedicated World Offshore Championship website and televising the championship on its Sport Fishing Magazine TV show aired on Versus.