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Cheeca Lodge Presidential Sailfish Tournament Starts Jan. 17

Anglers who have fished the Cheeca Presidential, as well as those fishing in the Keys Gold Cup series, are invited.

The 23rd annual Cheeca Lodge Presidential Sailfish Tournament takes place Friday through Sunday, Jan. 17-19. This year’s event is an invitation-only format.

The tournament is the second of three in the Florida Keys Gold Cup Sailfish Championship series. Anglers who have fished the Cheeca Presidential as well as those fishing in the Keys Gold Cup series are to be sent invitations. Pre-registration is required for the tournament.

Kickoff is set for Friday, Jan. 17, at Cheeca Lodge (mile marker 82 oceanside in Islamorada).

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Two days of light-tackle sailfishing starts on Saturday, Jan. 18. Anglers must use 12-pound-test line and circle hooks when targeting sailfish. The awards banquet is scheduled for Sunday evening.

Entry fee is $695 for the first angler per boat. Additional anglers’ entry fee is $645, up to four per boat. All entries must be received by Dec. 1, 2012, and no walk-in entries are accepted. The field is limited to 25 boats, according to tournament organizers.

The Florida Keys Gold Cup Sailfish Championship’s first leg, the Islamorada Sailfish Tournament, is set for Nov. 29 through Dec. 2. The series’ final leg is the IFC Sailfish Tournament Jan. 23-24, when the Gold Cup Championship awards are to be presented to high-point earners who fished all three events.

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