Islamorada, FL – The Cheeca Lodge & Spa All American Backcountry Tournament in Islamorada, FL kicked off Nov. 13 at Cheeca Lodge & Spa, hosting anglers from all over the U.S. to come and take part in this three-day backcountry event. This year, Cheeca hosted three U.S. Military veterans to fish in this prestigious tournament.
The tournament follows a unique backcountry format featuring five target species: tarpon, redfish, permit, bonefish, and snook. Anglers can earn points using any of three tackle types—bait, spin, or fly—with up to five fish per species counting toward daily totals. Bonus points are awarded for releasing three or more different species in a day. Participants may fish solo or as a two-angler team. This year, 153 fish were released overall: 15 on fly, 29 on artificial, and 109 on bait. Winning anglers received stunning photo awards from Tim Rahn Photography.
Grand Champion angler Jason Rubenstein of Bellaire, Texas, fishing with Captain Jack Given of Islamorada, released all five species on Day 1, earning 1,370 points. He added three more species on Day 2 for a two-day total of 2,070 points, plus an additional 2,070 bonus points for completing all five species—bringing his final score to 4,140. Using bait, Jason released one permit, one bonefish, one tarpon, six snook, and four redfish, along with four additional redfish on artificial tackle. He also earned the Most Outstanding Catch Award for an IGFA Fantasy Slam—landing all five species in a single day.
Runner-up angler Jeffrey Parrish of Buffalo, NY, released three species for a total of 3,488 points. Fishing with Captain Dave Denkert, he released nine snook and ten redfish on artificial tackle, plus one bonefish on bait. His 19 artificial releases also earned him the Artificial Division Champion Angler title. Captain Eric Hersted, fishing with Brian McCullis of Steamboat Springs, CO, and Paul McCullis of Castle Rock, CO, earned Team Grand Champion honors with 4,830 points. The team released two bonefish, 13 snook, and 19 redfish on bait, totaling 3,220 points plus 1,610 bonus points for catching three species. Brian also won the Bait Division Grand Champion Angler title with 20 of those releases.
South Florida residents U.S. Army Specialist Chad Golliher (Ret.) and U.S. Army Captain Kevin Decker (Ret.) fished with Captain Mike Makowski, releasing one tarpon, six snook, and nine redfish on bait, plus one redfish on artificial. They earned 1,520 points over two days, along with 760 bonus points, for a total of 2,280 points—securing the Team Runner-Up honors. Jim Bokor Jr. of Buffalo, NY, fishing with Captain Richard Black, released seven fish on fly—one tarpon, one snook, and five redfish—to win the Fly Division Championship.“This is a very special event with Cheeca Lodge & Spa bringing Veterans to the Keys to fish every year,” said General Manager Bill Coteron. “Our commitment to this tournament and our veterans is heartfelt. We hope you will join us next year to fish for this great event.”
Proceeds from the tournament benefit Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to conserve and restore bonefish, tarpon and permit fisheries and habitats through research, stewardship, education, and advocacy. Photos from the tournament can be found HERE (Photo Credit: Tara Beth). For more information, visit www.Cheeca.com.
About Cheeca Lodge & Spa
A cornerstone of the Islamorada community since 1946, Cheeca Lodge & Spa is set on a 27-acre private estate in the “Sportfishing Capital of the World.” Cheeca boasts 214 guestrooms, oceanfront suites and bungalows, and its signature feature is the classic 525 ft. wooden fishing pier. Cheeca guests can enjoy watersports activities and excursions, tennis and sports courts, a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, a Spa with seven treatment rooms, two family pools overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and one adults-only lap pool, poolside cabanas, two Tiki Bars, Camp Cheeca for children, over 4,500 square ft. of event space, and three distinctive restaurants. Coming this fall 2022, Cheeca will debut a 10,000 square foot event center and 43 new luxury oceanfront suites. For more information visitwww.cheeca.com.
