- Islamorada Tournament benefits the Bonefish and Tarpon Trust, an organization working to restore these and other species.
- Cheeca Lodge & Spa event honors two U.S. Military Veterans in celebration of Veteran’s Day each year.
- The tournament runs from the Bass Pro Islamorada Marina and features backcountry fishing for 5 species of fish: Tarpon, Redfish, Permit, Bonefish, and Snook.

The Cheeca Lodge and Spa All-American Backcountry tournament kicked off in Cheeca’s Islamorada ballroom over Veteran’s Day weekend, 2024. Anglers from all over the United States gathered to participate in this three-day backcountry event, fostering a sense of camaraderie and shared passion for this type of fishing.
To celebrate Veterans Day each year, two U.S. military veterans are hosted to fish in this prestigious tournament. Retired U.S. Army Sergeant Richard Myers from Key Largo, FL, and retired U.S. Navy Second Class Petty Officer David Barus, a resident of East Aurora, NY, fished in the backcountry islands of Florida Bay with Captain Mike Makowski of Blackfoot Charters. Invited to the podium to lead off the Cheeca Lodge event at the captain’s meeting by General Manager Bill Coteron, David Barus asked the audience to join him in the Pledge of Allegiance. A rousing round of applause followed, reinforcing the sense of community among the participants.
The tournament features a distinctive format for backcountry fishing, targeting five species of fish: Tarpon, Redfish, Permit, Bonefish, and Snook. Anglers can use three different types of tackle: bait, spin, and fly, each earning points for the teams and individual anglers. Only 5 of each species can be counted for points each day, with bonus points awarded for releasing three or more species. This unique format adds an element of strategy and excitement to the competition. Anglers can fish alone or as a team of two anglers per boat. In total, 155 fish were released with 11 on fly rod, 90 on artificial tackle, and 54 using bait. The winning anglers were awarded amazing hand carved trophies from local artist Doug Berry.

Grand Champion angler Jim Bokor Jr. from Buffalo, NY, fishing with Captain Richard Black from Tavernier, won the top awards for his two-day total of 3350 points and accumulated an additional 2513 bonus points because he released four of the different species for a total of 5863 points. Jim released one bonefish, 10 tarpon, 10 snook and five redfish. Jim also received the artificial (spin) division award for 27 releases on artificial tackle.
Runner-up Angler Jason Rubenstein, a resident of Bellaire, TX, would release four species as well. Captain Jack Given led Rubenstein to three bonefish, eight tarpon, six snook and five redfish. The team totaled 2550 points and 1533 bonus points for 4463. Altogether, 15 of Jason’s fish were on bait, winning him the bait division.

Captain Tim Klein, fishing with Steve Austin from Ponte Verda Beach, FL, and John Wilbur of Marathon, FL, took home Team Grand Champion Awards with a team total of 4598 points. The team released three bonefish, eight snook and 18 redfish, amassing 3065 points plus 1533 bonus points for catching three different species.
Retired U.S. Army Sergeant Richard Myers and retired U.S. Navy Second Class Petty Officer David Barus, fishing as a team with Captain Mike Makowski, released three tarpon, nine snook and three redfish. Each was a first species catch for Sergeant Myers. The team totaled 1510 points over the two days with 755 bonus points for a total of 2265 points. Each member of the team received beautiful Team Runner-Up Trophies.

Christopher Jordan of McLean, VA, fishing with Captain Paul Ross, would release 11 fish on Fly. He was awarded the Fly Division Championship with 10 redfish and one tarpon caught on a flyrod. Charles Wright from Sebring, FL, won the Most Outstanding Catch award for releasing a 15-pound goliath grouper. Charles was fishing with Captain Nate Blackburn. Best Photo Award went to David Barus and Captain Mike Makowski for a beautiful tarpon photo.

The awards party was gracious for all attendees, serving a deluxe surf and turf Cheeca Lodge dinner that included tenderloin steak and fresh lobster, with a choice of deluxe beverages. “This is a very special event with Cheeca Lodge and Spa bringing veterans to the Keys to fish every year,” stated General Manager Bill Coteron. “Our commitment to this tournament and our veterans is heartfelt. We hope you will join us to fish this great event next year.” Proceeds from the tournament benefit the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to conserve and restore the bonefish and tarpon and permit fisheries and habitats through research, stewardship, education, and advocacy. In the Florida Keys and South Florida, the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust is working to determine and address the causes of declining fish populations. The group has defined a series of research steps for actions that will protect and restore habitats throughout the range of bonefish and tarpon and permit to return to healthy populations of these and associated species.
To learn more about BTT, visit https://www.bonefishtarpontrust.org/btt-mission/. To see what is happening at Cheeca Lodge and Spa, visit https://www.cheeca.com/.