Summer Slam Shootout kicks off with party
To kick off the 12th annual Summer Slam Flats Fishing Tournament, come meet the elite Caloosa captains on Wednesday, Sept. 1, at 6 p.m. at Bahama Breeze at 14701 S. Tamiami Trail in Fort Myers.
The Summer Slam Shootout part of the Caloosa Tournament Series that initiated public fishing tournaments in 1989 in Southwest Florida is coming together for the twelfth year.
The Shootout is presented by Yamaha and Fort Myers Marine and will be held from Sept. 24-26, at the Pink Shell Beach Resort on Fort Myers Beach.
This event is your last chance to qualify for the Caloosa Grand Championship being held Nov. 5-7, at the Pink Shell. Over $16,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded to anglers of all skill levels who compete in this year’s shootout format. This means there is over 15 paid places to win cash and trophies; everyone has a chance to win by having the biggest redfish, snook, trout and snapper. The overall champions will be determined by the heaviest combined weight per species.
Tournament check-in opens at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 24, with an open bar in the hospitality suite sponsored by Bahama Breeze Island Grille where anglers will load up on official Summer Slam Shootout Tournament gear. That evening, anglers will gather for the captain’s party and rules meeting with dinner and drinks provided. Here, the official tournament rules will be read and anglers will have a chance to get their questions answered by the official weigh master, Bob Wasno.
On Saturday morning (Sept. 25), the fishing tournament competition opens. There will be a special category for both ladies and youth (age 12 or younger) and the total combined weight of all species weighed in will determine the overall first place youth and lady in these divisions. The weigh station will be open from noon to 5 p.m. and the general public is invited to watch anglers bring in their catch (all fish must return to the weigh station). Also, during that time each day there will be music, Hooters girls, food and vendors to making this a fun-filled time for everyone.
That evening, the Awards Banquet will be held and cash plus trophies will be presented to the first, second and third place winners in all four species’ divisions. The overall first-place tournament team winner (the team that scored the highest overall combined weigh) will be announced as well as the winners in ladies, youth and the Hooters Redfish Bonanza.
In addition to sponsors named above, signature sponsors include: Budweiser, Landshark Lager; Boatmaster Trailers; Bahama Breeze Island Grille; Hooters; Diversified Yacht Services; Bass Pro Shops; ESPN Sports Radio 770; Quenzel & Associates; 96K Rock; Lazy Flamingo; The Crowne Plaza; Shoeless Joes; and Redi-MeD of Bonita Springs.
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For more information, a complete list of sponsors, the entry form and the tournament highlight flyer, visit www.caloosacatchandrelease.com or call Ron Riley at 671-9347 or Kristi Riley at 850-1707.