SWFL’s first Paddle Craft Fishing Tournamnet Series! 2nd Tournament in 4 part series!
Tournament Series Summary:
The 2019 Heroes Inshore Slam Tournament Series will be a paddle craft only, Florida Inshore Slam, catch photo release (CPR) tournament series. The objective is to catch and photograph the largest Florida inshore slam in total combined inches of each of the following species of fish: one (1) Red Drum, one (1) Snook, and one (1) Spotted Seatrout. A Slam is not required to place in the competition but a Slam will supersede a 2 fish bag and a two (2) fish bag will supersede a one (1) fish bag.
100% of the Tournament Series Proceeds will benefit the Southwest Florida Chapter of Heroes on the Water (HOW). Heroes on the Water helps our Nation’s active duty warriors, and veterans from all branches of the United States military and first responder communities unwind using the therapeutic qualities of fishing from kayaks. What looks like a day trip of paddling and fishing is in fact something much deeper and long-lasting. HOW provides “Triple Threat Therapy” (mental, physical, and occupational) to treat physical and mental disabilities attributed to the warrior’s service to our Nation.
The Tournament Series will take place in Southwest Florida: Competitors may launch from and fish any publicly accessible Southwest Florida waters. All competitors must physically check in at Gulf Coast Kayak located at 4120 Pine Island Rd, Matlacha, FL 33993 no later than 3pm EST on the day of each competitive event in the series. Registration will be allowed up to 7:00 PM Est. the day before each tournament event followed by the Captain’s meeting at 7:30 PM. All anglers must attend the Captain’s Meeting held at Millennial Brewing Company located at 1811 Royal Palm Ave, Fort Myers FL 33901.
TOURNAMENT SERIES POINTS: 100 points will be awarded to the winning competitor of each REGULAR SEASON tournament, 99 points to 2nd, 98 points to 3rd, etc. 100 points will be awarded to the winning competitor of the Championship, 99 points to 2nd, 98 points to 3rd, etc.
CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFICATIONS: All competitors that enter at least a minimum of two series events and compete in at least one event will qualify for the 2019 Championship.
PRIZES AND PURSES: Purses and/or trophies/prizes will be awarded to competitors placing 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 22nd in all regular series and championship events. The single competitor with the highest total point value at the conclusion of the championship event will crowned the Heroes Inshore Slam Tournament Series Champion and be awarded the grand prize. Purses for each competition will be determined by percentage of the competitive field. 1st place purse will pay out 30%, 2nd place will pay out 15%, and 3rd place will pay out 5% of entry fees collected from that events competitive field. Additional trophies/prizes for placement are to be determined and announced at the captain’s meeting preceding each regular series event, if not sooner.
ENTRY FEES AND PAYMENTS: A minimum donation of $75.00 is required to fish each regular series tournament. The Championship will require a minimum donation of $150 for 2019. Each Angler that wishes to participate in a Heroes Inshore Slam Tournament Series (HISTS) event will need to pay a one-time $50 Membership donation. All entry and membership donations are NON-TRANSFERABLE and NON-REFUNDABLE NO EXCEPTIONS. Discounts on series event entries will be given for early purchase of a membership package. Interested competitors will have 2 options:
1. $100 Membership will include the required $50 Membership donation and one (1) entry into a regular tournament series event with a $25.00 discount off the series Championship. This represents a $50.00 total discount. This membership option is available for purchase up to 5pm EST 2 business days before each Captain’s meeting in the series* (Jan 23rd, April 24th, July 24th).
2. $300 Membership will include the required $50 Member donation and entry into all tournament series events (including the Championship event). This represents a $125.00 total discount. This membership option is only available for purchase up to 5pm EST on January 23rd, 2019.
Membership and entry fees must be paid in full prior to 7:00pm EST the night of the captain’s meeting. Payments will be accepted via cash, check, credit card, or online payments. For credit card or electronic payments, a $3.25 convenience fee will be assessed. Checks can be made payable to Heroes Inshore Slam Tournament Series.*See full tournament series rules for additional information.
