In Central Florida, A Fish On Your Line
Could Mean Cash In Your Pocket!

Kissimmee-St. Cloud, (FL)(CVB) Summer 2003 - Winning couldn't be easier * or more fun during Kissimmee-St. Cloud's 4th annual Big Fish Open!
Beginning Labor Day weekend (Sept 1) through October 26, bass anglers of every age and skill level are invited to Central Florida to fish the beautiful Kissimmee Chain of Lakes for their chance at hooking into more than $100,000 in cash and prizes.
For eight straight weeks the Kissimmee-St. Cloud Convention and Visitors Bureau will pay a $1000 cash prize to the adult angler lucky enough to reel in the biggest bass of the week during the Big Fish Open.  Out of state anglers get an even sweeter deal with an additional $500 weekly non-resident bonus prize. Anglers 17 years and under compete for a weekly $100 savings bond. At the end of the Big Fish Open the angler who reels in the largest bass during the entire competition will walk away with a grand prize of $10,000!  The junior angler with the largest catch over all will receive a $1,000 savings bond.
And that's not all. During the Big Fish Open, any angler lucky enough to break the current State of Florida bass record of 17.27 pounds will earn a whopping $100,000!
The Big Fish Open is tournament fishing made easy.  Participating anglers can fish at their leisure anywhere, with any bait, anytime on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes during the eight-week period. And to better their chances, anglers can even hire a local guide to take them to their secret honey holes. It couldn't be any easier.
To participate in the Big Fish Open, anglers must first register by completing a registration form on line at www.anglerschallenge.org.  Registration forms are also available at participating area fish camps and bait shops throughout Kissimmee-St. Cloud.  Big Fish Open adult passes for the entire eight weeks are only $50. A seven-day fishing pass is also available for just $15.  Eight-week passes for junior anglers are $15 or $5 for a seven-day pass.
The Big Fish Open is a catch and release event and is just one more part of Kissimmee-St. Cloud's annual Anglers Challenge.  This unique series of events combines the fun of fishing and outdoor recreation with messages of conservation and environmental stewardship. As the Big Fish Open concludes, the Anglers Challenge continues with the Lake Toho Pro-am, which pairs some of the world's top professionals with aspiring amateurs for a three-day fishing tournament, October 30 - November 1.  Other Anglers Challenge events include the Angling Against Cancer Benefit Dinner and Tournament and AquaMania, an exciting and event-filled community celebration November 1-2 at the Kissimmee Lakefront.
To learn more about the Big Fish Open and the Anglers Challenge call the Kissimmee-St. Cloud Convention and Visitors Bureau toll free 1-800-333-KISS or log onto www.anglerschallenge.org.  For information about visiting Kissimmee-St. Cloud, FL including vacation packages and hot deals right next door to the Walt Disney World Resort visit www.floridakiss.com.



 Abby Montpelier
Nature/Heritage Public Relations Representative
Kissimmee-St. Cloud Convention and Visitors Bureau
407-944-2442