Anglers can battle barracuda on the flats in the 2016 Cuda Bowl, set for Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 4-6, just before professional football’s Super Bowl battle. The all-release tournament is designed for anglers fishing in poleable depths of water with artificial flies and lures. Awards await the tournament participants who catch the largest total inches of barracuda in the fly and spin divisions. Each angler can count three fish per day toward the total.
Additional awards are to be presented to the top lady angler and those who catch the largest single barracuda and score the most releases.
The Cuda Bowl is to begin with a final registration and captains meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4, at My New Joint above the Square Grouper Bar and Grill, mile marker (MM) 22.5 oceanside on Cudjoe Key. Attractions are to include appetizers and a cash bar.
Fishing is scheduled Friday and Saturday. Teams can begin their pursuit of barracuda at any time during daylight tournament hours, but cannot exceed eight hours of fishing per day.
Anglers and guides must appear by 5:30 p.m. each day for check-in at Hurricane Hole Marina, 5130 Overseas Highway at MM 4.5 oceanside.
An awards gathering at Hurricane Hole is to follow Saturday’s fishing.
Tournament rules allow licensed guides to fish as anglers. The entry fee is $250 for one angler on a boat and an additional $50 for a second, with two anglers allowed per boat. The field is limited to the first 25 boats to register, so early registration is suggested to ensure participation.
Tournament information and registration: www.cudabowl.com
Key West visitor information: www.fla-keys.com/keywest or 1-800-LAST-KEY
Lower Keys visitor information: www.fla-keys.com/lowerkeys or 1-800-872-3722
Florida Keys fishing information: www.fla-keys.com/fishing
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