The FLBT was established in 1965, as a semi-annual, three day offshore tournament for serious fisherman. In response to angler surveys and the economic challenges that now affect everyone, the FLBT format is changing for the better! Not only is it being shortened to one day, it is being expanded to three inlets, allowing anglers to fish from their home ports. “This Tournament was created 45 years ago to include as many of the local anglers as possible,” said John Stephens, Marine Industries Association of South Florida President-owners of the Tournament. “All of us have in some way been impacted by the financial struggles facing our country and to create our own ‘Tournament Stimulus Package’ we are making the 45th Annual FLBT more accessible and affordable by bringing it to three popular inlets – Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Lake Worth.”
This year’s event, that was previously scheduled for March has been moved back to its original timeframe in November where it had been the first Sailfish Tournament of the season for 40 years. “We received an overwhelming number of requests to move the Tournament back to November to give Tournament Anglers a weekend off during the extremely crowded Spring Sailfish season,” continued Stephens. “If it hadn’t been for Hurricane Wilma’s run through Fort Lauderdale five years ago, we would have never moved the Tournament in the first place. It will be great to be back in the Fall.”
In addition to Sailfish as the target species, there are additional divisions that include Dolphin, Tuna, Wuhoo, and Kingfish payouts. This format provides anglers with a premier competitive fishing experience and exceptional payouts. |
