The combination of conservation, data collection, education plus prizes and scholarships valued at nearly $500,000 makes STAR a summer long fishing sensation. There is not another fishing competition in Florida that has the ability to engage so many different types of anglers from youth, women, novice, hard core, inshore and offshore, there is something for everyone, even those who don’t fish can still participate and win something by picking up and disposing of garbage in and around our coastal waters.
The last four years of CCA Florida STAR, a family friendly angling competition, were a huge success. This is thanks to the blueprint developed by CCA Texas and Louisiana and a few modifications made by CCA Florida which combined technology and conservation. The new competition format provided Florida STAR a proven formula of success for not only recreational anglers, STAR sponsors but most importantly our marine fisheries.
The 101-day, family friendly angling competition, begins Saturday Memorial Day weekend and ends Labor Day, offering over $500,000 in prizes, 17 divisions with tagged and non-tagged fish, inshore and offshore species and is offering new ways for anglers of all ages to walk away with prizes from brand new boat, motor and trailer packages, cash, marine electronics, Yamaha motors, all-terrain vehicles, scholarships and more.
The 2019 STAR competition includes:
- Continued free registration for current New Tide Members (CCA members) ages 6 – 17
- Confirmed prizes in the signature tagged redfish division of a Contender 22 Sport, a GMC Sierra pickup truck, a Pathfinder 2200TRS, a Hewes Redfisher 16, a Carolina Skiff and Relentless Boats Aluminum Bay/Flats boat, all powered by Yamaha. Prizes for the first two youth anglers in this division include two Carolina Skiff boats, powered with Yamaha 40 HP motors and trailers sporting a Minn Kota trolling motor and Hummingbird electronics.
- Tagged Dolphin Division (Mahi Mahi) – 20 tagged dolphin will be released in the coastal waters of Florida, with the first STAR registered CCA member who catches one eligible to win $10,000
- Divisions include:
- T H Marine Non-tagged Redfish Division – boasts a 1st place prize of a Salt Marsh Skiff 1656 with Atlas jack Plate, Yamaha 40hp, trailer and five additional prizes.
- Stumpnocker Spotted Trout Division – offers a 1st place prize of a Stumpnocker 17 tiller powered by a 40hp Yamaha with Continental trailer and five additional prizes.
- Piranha Boats Snook Division offers a first place prize of a RASO P14 boat with trailer and 15HP Yamaha and 5 additional prizes
- Tigress Outriggers & Gear Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) Division offers a 115HP Yamaha motor & XD Top mount & XD Carbon Fiber Outrigger package as the first place prize and 5 additional prizes.
- Cannon Kingfish Division offers the Salt Marsh Savanna with 9HP Yamaha & trailer as a 1st Place prize and 5 additional prizes.
- Grouper Division (Black, Gag, Red and Scamp) – offers a 115HP Yamaha & 240 hard Cooler as 1st place prize and five additional prizes.
- Humminbird Tarpon Division – one winner of a $10,000 prize package which includes Humminbird Solix 10, Minn Kota Terrova and more, winner will be determined by a random drawing of all catch photos entered . Eligibility requirements include proper handling of the catch.
- Yamaha Guides Division - Guides will be eligible to compete in the Tagged Redfish and Tagged Dolphin Divisions with three prizes awarded.
- Youth Scholarship Division presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors offers the opportunity to win one of twelve scholarships totaling $100,000 with eligible species of non-tagged redfish, spotted seatrout, snook, tarpon, dolphin (Mahi Mahi), grouper , kingfish plus ladyfish, jack crevalle and sheepshead.
- Power Pole Conservation Division encourages additional data collection of all species of fish caught during STAR with three prizes awarded.
- Costa Kick Plastic Trash Division encourages trash and debris collection with three prizes awarded.
- TOMO Spear Gun Lionfish Division helps with the removal of an invasive species and awards three prizes.
- Additional Divisions include Ladies, Fly, Kayak all with 6 prizes awarded with eligible species of non-tagged redfish, spotted seatrout, snook, tarpon, dolphin (Mahi Mahi), grouper and kingfish.
- Most division winners are determined by a random drawing, not the biggest fish, a format that encourages participants of all ages to protect and conserve Florida’s fisheries for future generations.
CCA Florida STAR, presented by Yamaha, is the largest family-friendly saltwater fishing competition in Florida. Because it runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day, STAR is unlike traditional fishing tournaments, giving you the opportunity to fish when you can, not when you have to. STAR focuses on conservation and uses the social media-based, 101-day event to educate the public on the importance of protecting Florida’s marine resources. Recognized as a ‘catch, photo and release’ competition, STAR’s smart phone app eliminates the requirement for anglers to harvest or capture and transport fish and constantly promotes the proper handling of all species in the competition.
For more information on STAR, or to register, visit our Facebook page or ccaflstar.com.
About CCA Florida
The Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) was founded in 1977 after drastic commercial overfishing along the Texas coast decimated redfish and speckled trout populations. One of 19 state chapters, CCA Florida became the fifth state chapter in 1985. A 501(c)3 non-profit, the purpose of CCA is to advise and educate the public on conservation of marine resources. Through habitat restoration projects, water quality initiatives and fisheries advocacy, CCA Florida works with its over 19,000 members including recreational anglers and outdoor enthusiasts to conserve and enhance marine resources and coastal environments. Join the conversation on Facebook or learn more at ccaflorida.org.