Redfish Challenge: Deadline nears for Sept. 5 fishing tourney
Time is running out to register in advance for The Flats Invitational Redfish Challenge. Presented by Advanced Roofing and Sheet Metal, the 11th annual event will be held Sept. 5 at The Marina at Cape Harbour, with a shotgun start at 7:30 a.m. Advance registration is available up through Tuesday at the discounted price of $275 per angler; after that the entry fee increases to $325 each.
The cost includes dinner and an open bar on Sept. 4 and 5, as well as a captain’s bag.
“It’s for the two heaviest redfish,” Jessica Potts, an event co-chair, said of the tournament.
Anglers must return to the marina by 4 p.m. for the final weigh-in.
Cash prizes will be awarded to the top finishers. First place takes home $7,500, second place receives $3,500 and third place earns $2,500. Fourth place will win $1,500, while fifth place will get $500.
Potts noted that the angler who comes in 13th place also takes home $500.
“We have two new divisions this year,” she said.
The Anisa Stewart Designs/Sewell Custom Rods Ladies’ Showdown consists of a basket of jewelry, pink fishing rod and $200 for first place. Second place will win a piece of jewelry, pink rod and $100.
“It’s a ladies’ division,” Potts said. “Heaviest weighed fish.”
There is also the TowBoat U.S. Charlotte Harbor Weigh-to-Win bonus cash.
“That is going to be a $500 cash prize to the highest placing team with a TowBoat unlimited or unlimited gold member on board,” she said.
The Flats Invitational Redfish Challenge kicks off Sept. 4 at the marina, with a captain’s meeting at 5:30 p.m. There will be dinner and an open bar, as well as a Texas Hold’em poker tournament.
“It’s kind of different from other (fishing) tournaments,” Potts said.
Between 70 and 100 players take part in the poker game.
“That’s a different target audience than our anglers and their families,” she said.
Players can register in advance or the day of.
The entry fee is $100 per person and includes dinner and the open bar. Spectator tickets are also available for purchase for $40 each, and they include dinner and drinks that night, as well.
First place wins $1,000, second place scores $250 and third place receives $100.
While the main event is taking place on Sept. 5, children ages 12 and under can take part in a kid’s fishing tournament from 10 a.m. to noon. The cost is $20 and includes a T-shirt, rod and trophy.
“We provide the bait,” Potts said, adding that the participants can catch anything.
Afterward, the children will enjoy lunch with Ronald McDonald.
“But they need to register in advance,” she said.
As proceeds from the youth tourney will benefit the Cape Coral First United Methodist Church, families can register on the church’s website at: capecoralfirst.org.
In addition to the fishing events, a silent auction and a live auction will be held.
The silent auction will feature a Tarpon Lodge weekend stay and Cabbage Key trip, filet table, local crabbing experience, Tito’s golf bag and weekend stay on Useppa Island, along with other prizes.
The live auction will start at about 8:30 p.m.
The items up for bid include a Costa Rica trip, one week’s stay on Little Gasparilla, tiki hut, stay on Bimini in the Bahamas, timeshare in Las Vegas, residential air conditioner installation and more.
Various raffles will also be held, such as a chance to win two custom golf carts.
“Every year, we have a big item,” Potts said.
The raffle tickets are $100 each and only 250 are available.
“We’re almost sold out,” she said Wednesday.
Nevermind Awesome Bar & Eatery will cater the Sept. 4 dinner, with Bubba’s Roadhouse & Saloon serving up dinner on Sept. 5. The Loose Lugnuts, out of Charlotte, North Carolina, will perform.
Every year, the proceeds from The Flats Invitational Redfish Challenge benefit local charities. This year’s funds will go toward Oasis Charter Elementary, Christa McAuliffe Elementary, Samaritan Health and Wellness, the Bobby Holloway Foundation and Ronald McDonald House of Southwest Florida.
“We’re kind of trying to spread the money around to different places,” Potts said.
Last year, 72 teams participated and about $60,000 was raised.
“Our goal this year is $75,000,” she said. “So far, we have about 40 teams signed up.”
Organizers urge anglers, poker players and families to check out the event.
“There’s so many different things to do,” Potts said. “We’ve got something for the kids.”
“It’s just a family fun-packed weekend,” she added.
For more information about The Flats Invitational Redfish Challenge or to register in advance, contact Kyle Potts at (239) 223-2025 or captkylepotts@yahoo.com, or call Jessica Potts at (727) 415-6700.
You can also visit online at: mcflatsinvitational.com.
To register in advance for the poker tourney, email steven.hook@capecharterschools.org.
To purchase tickets for a chance to win the custom golf carts, contact Kyle Potts.
The Marina at Cape Harbour is at 5828 Cape Harbour Drive.
Lodging is available at The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village.