The CCA Florida STAR presented by Yamaha is a win-win proposition for saltwater anglers. For 101 days this summer they have the chance to win $500,000 in prizes, including three boats by Carolina Skiff, for catching tagged redfish. There are other prizes and categories too, making this a great excuse for going fishing in the coastal and offshore waters of Florida.
How you win the prizes is by entering STAR, which stands for State-wide Tournament Anglers Rodeo. It is a catch and photograph format tournament that begins on Memorial Day, May 27, and ends on Sept. 4. The tournament is open to members in good standing of the Coastal Conservation Association, or non-members can enter for $65. Entry fee for CCA members is $35. Click here to join CCA.
STAR was a huge success last year. The 157 tagged redfish release throughout Florida coastal waters, and the 13 additional divisions caught the attention of 5,000 registered anglers. The motivation was catching one of the first seven tagged redfish for the chance to win a new GMC Sierra, a boat, motor, and trailer package valued at over $40,000.
Beyond that, the family-friendly tournament awarded a college scholarship and the chance to win other prizes. Those prizes can be won by entering catches in the additional divisions. Those are Open, Ladies, Fly, Kayak, Lionfish and Professional Guides division. Eligible species are Spotted Seatrout, Snook, Sheepshead, Non-tagged Redfish, Cobia, Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) & Kingfish.
The Tagged Redfish Division is by far one of the most popular for a huge reason. Click this link to find out the reasons why. Even more, reason to enter that division are the three Carolina Skiffs to be awarded.
Those are the all-new Carolina Skiff 21 Fish & Ski and two Carolina Skiff 16 JVX CC models.
The JVX Series is designed and rigged with fishing in mind. With the JVX, getting in the shallow creeks and rivers will not be an issue. The lightweight hull with the modified V-hull design gives you a boat that will carry more weight further and faster with less horsepower, while delivering outstanding performance.
The STAR Youth Scholarship Division presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors offers New Tide member’s free entry into STAR and the opportunity to win one of twelve scholarships totaling $100,000.
Another fun division for STAR anglers, unique to Florida is the Conservation Division. This division is designed to reward anglers that provide the most catch data on all fish caught and released while fishing the tournament, no matter what species or size.
Here’s the win-win proposition for anglers entering STAR. All entries provide a significant amount of catch data. The conservation community uses the information to make science-based decisions that benefit habitat management, stock assessment and more, to make fishing better all around for Florida anglers.
The newest addition to Florida STAR is the Trash Division. Participants who gather trash while on the water and submit a photo entry of at least a 5-gallon bucket full of trash with the 2017 official measuring device in their entry will be eligible for a random drawing at the end of the 101 days of STAR for 1st thru 3rd place.
Participants must use a digital camera or a digital camera phone to photograph their tournament fish. Catch entries will be made via the STAR Smart device application or the STAR website. It is not necessary to have a smart phone in order to participate. A digital camera and the ability to enter your catch via the website will work just as well. To find a dealer click the Find a Dealer link here.
Visit Carolina Skiff Today.
