Organized and sponsored by the Cayman Islands Angling Club, Cayman’s top annual sportfishing event is set to take place this April 26-May 4. Entry fee for CIIFT is US$500 per adult angler, and US$250 for junior anglers (14 and under) with separate registration fees for individual tournaments within CIIFT. Kick off party and registration for Grand Cayman anglers for all tournaments takes place April 24th at the C.I. Yacht Club (tournament headquarters and weigh station) 6-9pm. For Sister Islands anglers, registration and kickoff will be on April 25th at Cayman Brac’s Captain’s Table Restaurant from 7 until 8pm.
This year’s CIIFT is offering US$88,000 in guaranteed cash prizes along with trophies, artwork by Carey Chen and Guy Harvey and attractive merchandise prizes. Top prizes will be awarded to:Ê angler with Heaviest Fish, breaking one of the Cayman Islands AllÊ Tackle Line Class Records; 1st and 2nd Heaviest Blue Marlin over 300 lbs; 1st and 2nd top catches of yellowfin tuna, wahoo and dolphin; angler landing the Heaviest Grand Slam; visiting angler landing the heaviest eligible fish; Captain of the Visiting Boat landing the heaviest eligible fish; lady anglers; and top three heaviest eligible fish caught by Angling Club members.

Attractive prizes will be also awarded for top anglers in categories such as top CIAC member-anglers; lady and junior anglers; boat captains; anglers with the most blue marlin releases, heaviest eligible fish caught each day—and more.

The tournament follows IGFA rules and carries minimum weights for all eligible species including 300 lbs. for blue marlin; 30 lbs. for yellowfin tuna and 20 lbs. for wahoo and dolphin. This year’s CIIFT combines eight days of fishing with a mid-week rest day and lay-day parties on April 30 on Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac for participating anglers.
Grand Cayman’s party takes place at Kaibo Beach from noon until 5 pm. On the Brac, anglers are invited to a cookout at the Captain’s Table from noon until 5 p.m. Both parties feature free food for registered anglers and a cash bar for drinks. The overall CIIFT tournament will again include three individual tournaments with separate registration fees and prizes.

This year’s line-up includes:
April 26—The CICO/AVIS Bimini Start

April 26-29 10th Annual Texaco Bluewater Sportfishing Challenge

May 1-4 22nd annual Cayman Airline Pilot’s Association’s Tournament

May 4 Final weigh in and Boat Raffle at the Yacht Club
May 6 Dinner and prizegiving presentation, Pedro St. James, 7pm, and auction of Carey Chen painting to benefit Charity.
For more details contact Tournament Chairman Clive Smith, (345) 916-5423 and during the tournament, 945-3131; fax: 945-3131.
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