Fishing, Family, And Fun In Flamingo
Flamingo, Costa Rica, is one of sportfishing’s most legendary destinations. It is an idyllic, laid-back beach community located in the Central American nation’s northern Pacific coast. A short run to the fishing grounds brings excellent opportunities for all three species of marlin (blue, black, and striped) as well as sailfish, tuna, wahoo, and mahi-mahi, called dorado locally. Back inshore, there are roosterfish, jacks, grouper, and snapper.
Based on this excellent fishing as well as a desire to get back to the basics with a fun tournament, the Presidential Challenge Charitable Foundation has recently announced the Presidential Flamingo Fishing Rodeo. The event will be held in Flamingo Beach and is scheduled for July 28 – 30, 2023.
The tournament’s mission statement is to publicize Flamingo as the fishing destination it used to be by helping charter captains book clients to fish in this event. The tournament will also benefit not only marine conservation in Costa Rica but also a local charity called Abriendo Mentes, a nonprofit organization that helps provide assistance to people in that part of Costa Rica to have access to enhanced education and employment opportunities.
Dockage is limited, and the tournament will be capped at 35 teams.
Charter coats are encouraged! Private boats are also welcome to participate:
Email tournament coordinator Joan Vernon for more information and available charter boats: joan@preschallenge.com.
Prize Categories:
- FLAMINGO CASINO OFFSHORE DIVISION: The entry fee is $600.00 per team. The eligible species for prizes include all billfish, dorado, tuna, and wahoo.
- CR MARINE SUPPLY INSHORE DIVISION: The entry fee is $200.00 per team of 4 or $250.00 for a team of 6 anglers. The eligible species for prizes are dorado, tuna, wahoo, snapper, and roosterfish.
- DESYFIN JUNIOR DIVISION: Juniors in the Funfish Division may enter a billfish, which will only count toward junior angler prizes.
Release Verification will be done with cell phone video. The video MUST be without interruption, showing the angler hooked up and fighting the fish, the release, and the fish swimming away.
Schedule of Events
August 2, 2024, 3 – 5 PM:
Final Registration & Team Check-in
Marina Flamingo
Final Registration: Kingfisher Room
Welcome Cocktail Party: Grand Lobby
August 2, 2024, 6 – 8 PM: Hosted by Britt and Gurme
Rules Meeting at 7 PM: Marina Flamingo complimentary snacks, a cash bar, live music, and dancing.
August 3 – 4, 2024:
Fishing
Weigh Station and scorecard collection at Dockside Marina Flamingo
August 4, 2024:
Awards Party & Conservation Auction at the Marina Flamingo Plaza.
An auction to benefit Costa Rica Conservation & Abriendo Mentes will be held at the awards party.
SPECIES: Each boat must have a measuring tape
Dorado, Tuna, and Wahoo: Minimum length 25 inches.
Sailfish, Marlin, Roosterfish, Cubera snapper: Release only.
LINE: Maximum 30-pound test
PRIZES: Trophies will be awarded for:
- Top Offshore Boat
- Top Inshore Boat
- Heaviest Fish of Each Species
- Top Family
- Top Male Angler
- Top Female Angler
- Top Three Junior Girls and Boys