The final tournament of the 2010 Presidential Challenge series is on the horizon and the anticipation among the participating teams is palpable. And for good reason: the series will wind up in what is arguably the hottest light-tackle billfishing destination on the planet, the world-famous Casa Vieja Lodge in Guatemala. Home to just about every record for daily and yearly catch totals for Pacific sailfish, including several on ultralight and fly tackle, Casa Vieja is the perfect spot to wrap up a 2010 series that's already destined for the record books.

In the race for the Eagle Claw Grand Champion Angler and Costa Grand Champion Team, the standings are tight enough that it's far from a runaway, despite Ted Smith's Southern Comfort team having won the first two events of the series. As any experienced angler knows, one good day on the water in Guatemala can drastically change the standings, and these anglers will be competing for three full days so anything can happen.

Back ashore, Casa Vieja boasts sumptuous dining as well as a relaxing, family-friendly environment to soothe those fish-frayed nerves. Host Jim Turner is himself a world-class angler and competitor so don't be surprised to see if his team is near the top of the leaderboard once the salt spray clears.

The dates have now been set for the 2011 Presidential Challenge Tournament Series.

Presidential Challenge of Costa Rica, March 24-27, 2011
The series will kick off with the ever-popular Presidential Challenge of Costa Rica, held in the quaint seaside community of Playa Carrillo. Far from the hustle and bustle, fishing in Carrillo hearkens back to the early days of Central America--anglers are ferried from the black-sand beach to their waiting gameboats in pangas before heading offshore, where the fishing centers as much on the area's blue, black and striped marlin as it does the sailfish. Indeed, this is one of the best areas of Central America to score a coveted Grand Slam of three billfish species in one day.

Ashore, the event offers evening parties including a poolside fiesta at tournament coordinator Joan Vernon's private home overlooking the Carrillo anchorage. The host hotel is the Villas Playa Samara, featuring very comfortable beachfront bungalow rooms, an excellent restaurant and large pool with swim up bar, always a hit with anglers and observers at the end of a long, hot day offshore.

Presidential Papagayo Cup, June 22-25, 2011
New for 2011, this event will feature both a new location as well as a new format. The event will be held out of the new Marina Papagayo in northern Costa Rica, a spectacular new destination worthy of exploration by serious tournament anglers. Teams will invest $5,000 each and will divide the tournament purse, with the winner of a 20-boat tournament winning in excess of $40,000. On the peninsula is a spectacular Four Seasons hotel, which will be offering special low rates for tournament participants, making this an excellent family venue. As always, there will be after-fishing cocktail parties and a gala awards banquet and presentation upon completion of the tournament.

Presidential Caribbean Cup, Aruba, Oct. 20-23, 2011
Following on the outstanding results of the 2010 event, the Caribbean Cup will once again return to the island nation of Aruba in 2011. The action this year proved to be nothing short of excellent, with the leading boats seeing numerous blue and white marlin plus plenty of sailfish during the tournament. There was one Grand Slam released during the 2010 event, along with over 20 blue marlin--Aruba is firmly on the map for Caribbean marlin fishing.

It's also a special island for visitors, with great lodging and restaurants along with a nearly non-existent crime rate and plenty of white sand beaches. Special packages will once again be offered for tournament guests which include a guided island tour and special beachfront luncheon with cocktails.

Presidential Challenge of Guatemala, Nov. 10-13, 2011
The season will once again wrap up in the fish-friendly waters off Guatemala in 2011. Historically one of the finest light-tackle destinations found anywhere in the world, these waters are home to several records for angler, boat, daily and seasonal releases of not just sailfish but also big Pacific blue marlin. The competition for the Eagle Claw Grand Champion Angler and Costa Grand Champion Team will wind up with a bang here!

The tournament host is the world-famous Casa Vieja Lodge, with the finest in cuisine and lodging available, as well as a stable of outstanding fishing vessels for charter by the tournament fleet. The staff and management are all fishermen and know what it takes to operate successful events.