South Padre Island, Texas - Anglers and
spectators have looked forward to the Texas International Fishing Tournament
(T.I.F.T.) each summer for over 80 years. Excitement is building for the summer
2021 event since the 2020 tournament was postponed. The sparkling waters off
South Padre Island and Port Isabel, Texas serve as the beautiful backdrop to
Texas’ largest fishing tournament. The 81st annual T.I.F.T. kicks off July 28,
2021 at the South Padre Island Convention Center.
Registration is underway for the 81st annual
event. Late registration takes place Wednesday and Thursday, July 28 and 29.
Friday, July 30 anglers of all ages will take to the Laguna Madre Bay and Gulf
of Mexico to compete in one of three T.I.F.T. divisions: Bay, Tarpon, and Off
Shore. Bay boats are required to return to their berths each night; offshore
boats are allowed to stay out overnight while still adhering to tournament
fishing start and stop times. A complete list of tournament rules is available
here.
Spectators are welcome to watch from covered
stands at the dock at Southpoint Marina in Port Isabel, TX as the catches of
the day are brought in Friday, July 30, 2pm - 8pm, and Saturday, July 31, 2pm -
7pm. Anglers will show off impressive catches such as blue marlin, white
marlin, and sailfish from the Off Shore Division; and speckled trout, redfish,
and flounder for bay anglers.
Junior anglers bringing in everything from
single piggy perch to impressive stringers of catches is as exciting as
watching the big fish being brought in. Every child registered in the
tournament is awarded a trophy for their participation.
The history of the Texas International Fishing
Tournament dates back to 1933 when Doc J.A. Hockaday designed the tournament to
showcase the amazing fishing opportunities the Rio Grande Valley has to offer.
T.I.F.T.’s mission continues to be to provide a quality, family-oriented
fishing tournament for anglers of all ages. The tournament’s Executive Board
strives to achieve this goal each year with planning taking place immediately
following the tournament awards ceremony Sunday, Aug 1, 2021 at the South Padre
Island Convention Center.
T.I.F.T. is not only a wonderful family event,
the non-profit organization gives back to student volunteers each year by
awarding scholarships. Twenty-two academic scholarships, in addition to the
Mike Baldree Memorial Scholarship, were awarded to local students in 2020.
T.I.F.T. Executive Board reminds everyone to
take part in recommended health safety practices, while enjoying the 81st
Annual Texas International Fishing Tournament. With that in mind, the
ever-popular Play Day will look a little different this year. More details
forthcoming on the T.I.F.T. website.
Follow the excitement of the 81st Annual Texas
International Fishing Tournament on social media and utilize the hashtags:
#FishTIFT #TIFT2020 #SouthPadreIsland and #SoPadre on Facebook:
facebook.com/FishTIFT/ ; Twitter:
@FishTIFT ; Instagram: @FishTIFT.