TIFT

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas – The 77th annual Texas International Fishing Tournament (TIFT) is scheduled for Aug. 3-7, 2016 and is expected to attract as many as 1,500 participants. The family-oriented event includes two days of competitive fishing and an array of activities for family members of all ages.

Early registration is now underway online at www.tift.org. Registration takes place on Wednesday, Aug. 3, 3-8 p.m. and Thursday, Aug. 4, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. at the South Padre Island Convention Centre.

“We’re honored to host Texas’ largest saltwater fishing tournament year after year, and invite fishing enthusiasts to join us and compete in one of three divisions – bay, tarpon and offshore – to experience a fun, family-friendly tournament like no other,” said Keith Arnold, Director of the South Padre Island Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The event kicks off with a Play Day on Thursday, August 4, featuring activities and games for the entire family. The Fishing Contests, both Bay and Offshore Divisions, will be held all day on Friday, August 5 and Saturday, August 6. The event concludes on Sunday, Aug. 7 at the South Padre Island Convention Centre with a lunch at 11:30 a.m. and awards presentation at 1 p.m.

TIFT’s economic impact on the South Padre Island area is considerable, with an estimated $1.5 million spent by tournament participants in 2015. TIFT also grants scholarships to eligible undergraduates each year, and has awarded over $100,000 in scholarships since the program’s inception. For 2016, TIFT awarded 29, $2,000 scholarships to college-age recipients. For more information on TIFT, visit www.tift.org or call (956) 802-3475.

Lastly, looking beyond early August, fishing enthusiasts can look forward to two, other major fishing tournaments on South Padre Island including the Ladies Kingfish Tournament, August 12-14, and the SPI Wahoo Classic, Sept. 9-11.