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Another STAR Winner

Posted: August 30th, 2019, 1:18 pm
by silverking
THIRD WINNER IN STATEWIDE FISHING COMPETITION ANNOUNCED, ANGLER WINS $80,000 PRIZE PACKAGE

Orlando, FL – August 30, 2019 – CCA Florida, the state’s leading organization dedicated to marine fisheries conservation, education and advocacy, today announced the third winner in the nonprofit’s signature event - CCA Florida STAR, presented by Yamaha, which runs through Labor Day. The CCA Florida member and STAR registered angler chose an $80,000 prize package from Contender Boats, Yamaha Outboards and Rolls Axle Trailer.

Andrew Montgomery of Charlotte County caught a 19” Duke Energy-reared, iHeart Radio STAR tagged redfish (tag FL 547) on August 25th near Alligator Creek in Punta Gorda in Charlotte County. Montgomery has been a CCA Florida member since 2017 and registered for STAR each May. “I couldn’t believe it, I don’t get to fish as much as I would like, but I am sure glad I was registered and a CCA member when I went on Sunday. Unbelievable.”

Of the event’s major prizes, Montgomery chose the 2019 Contender 24 Sport with 250 Yamaha Outboards motor and Rolls Axle trailer.

CCA Florida STAR, presented by Yamaha, is the largest family-friendly saltwater fishing competition in Florida. Unlike traditional fishing tournaments, STAR focuses on conservation and offers over $500,000 in prizes and scholarships. 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.

STAR anglers in the 2019 competition have now claimed over $200,000 in prizes from Pathfinder Boats, Contender Boats and Conley Buick GMC in Bradenton, Florida, but several prizes remain in the event’s STAR Signature Division including Yamaha-powered boat packages including a Hewes 16 Redfisher or the Carolina Skiff 21 LS. Youth anglers are eligible to participate in the tagged redfish division with the first two winners taking home a 16 ft Carolina Skiff Center Console powered by a 40hp Yamaha, sporting a Minn Kota trolling motor, Humminbird electronics and a shallow water anchor which are still available.

With 17 divisions and many determined by random drawing, every fish counts. The competition runs through posted sunset on Labor Day. For more information on STAR, or to register, visit our Facebook page or ccaflstar.com.
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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 18,000 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.

Re: Another STAR Winner

Posted: August 31st, 2019, 9:12 pm
by GaryDroze
I have 136 STAR entries, with 2 days to go. The tagged reds eluded me all summer. Gave it my all. Only took days off to coach runners and do yard chores directed by my long-suffering, lovely wife (Happy Wife = Happy Life).

Re: Another STAR Winner

Posted: September 2nd, 2019, 4:08 pm
by GaryDroze
Finished with 139 STAR entries today, but no tagged red. Fished Horns Creek at St. Marks Refuge after running Brookie B 5K charity race this morning in Tallahassee. LOTS of upper slot reds in Horns Creek on outgoing tide. Hint to those of you who can get out next few weeks: fish the tidal creeks near the lighthouse! About to take a 2 hour nap before I start grading tests that I gotta hand back tomorrow at Maclay School. Looking forward to retiring from teaching so I can fish more!

Re: Another STAR Winner

Posted: September 2nd, 2019, 6:23 pm
by Srbenda
GaryDroze wrote:Finished with 139 STAR entries today, but no tagged red. Fished Horns Creek at St. Marks Refuge after running Brookie B 5K charity race this morning in Tallahassee. LOTS of upper slot reds in Horns Creek on outgoing tide. Hint to those of you who can get out next few weeks: fish the tidal creeks near the lighthouse! About to take a 2 hour nap before I start grading tests that I gotta hand back tomorrow at Maclay School. Looking forward to retiring from teaching so I can fish more!
What are you fishing them with? Spoons, etc or live bait?

Re: Another STAR Winner

Posted: September 3rd, 2019, 8:15 am
by BillytheKid
Good job on the 139 entries Gary. I got more that I did last year but only managed 134. I did manage a lot of "trash" entries this year due too all of the debris from hurricane Michael.

Re: Another STAR Winner

Posted: September 3rd, 2019, 10:09 am
by rockyg
Man you guys are strong.......that's a ton of days fishing.

I think I ended up with 5 trout and 5 redfish entries for the whole summer.

And yes I still enter the tournament even though the odds of catching a second tagged red must be astronomical. I enjoy the whole idea of this tournament. All photo catch and release, tons of kids prizes to get the next generation involved, and the proceeds support a cause that I believe strongly in.

Re: Another STAR Winner

Posted: September 3rd, 2019, 1:40 pm
by BillytheKid
Also I enter for categories other than just reds and trout. I also enter for kayak, conservation, trash, and actually got an entry for the fly division. This tournament has gotten me to try some new things I had never done before. I have never been interested in fly fishing, but picked one up just to try for this tournament. It took me a while, and several catfish later, I finally caught a trout on a fly rod.

Re: Another STAR Winner

Posted: September 3rd, 2019, 3:32 pm
by GaryDroze
My catches came off mostly freelined finger mullet & mudminnows that I netted just before fishing. So many short trout were committing gut-hook suicide on those baits early on that I moved up in bait size to 5+" to keep the little guys off the hook. My fave artificial this the summer was a ChugBug over grassy potholes in the creeks when the surface was on a moderate ripple. Heart Attack City when upper slot reds pound a ChugBug. Also managed 8 trout on a slow-sinking streamer, colored to look like a bull minnow, but my hours per catch rate on the fly rod rod was pretty dismal. That's 8 trout over the whole summer, fishing at least three times a week! I think the top entrants in the fly division about tripled that. My fly casting is more like I'm waving a flag in surrender.

Re: Another STAR Winner

Posted: September 4th, 2019, 2:20 pm
by Williamsdad
Agree with Rocky on the kudos for you 100+ guys. I worked hard and tested my marriage for my 31, mostly trout (over 2 to 1), which were hard to come by in August.

It's a great tournament, fun for the whole family!

Re: Another STAR Winner

Posted: September 6th, 2019, 12:54 pm
by BillytheKid
Congrats Gary Droze. Looks like you won first place in the Fly division. I ended up in 5th place.

https://ccaflstar.com/prizes-and-sponso ... nt-winners

Re: Another STAR Winner

Posted: September 6th, 2019, 1:28 pm
by silverking
Quite a few regional winners in the various divisions. Congrats to all and thank you for supporting Coastal Conservation Association Florida!


PS, if anyone is looking for a good deal on a Live2Fish paddleboard, check the forum classifieds soon. :wink:

Re: Another STAR Winner

Posted: September 7th, 2019, 9:38 pm
by GaryDroze
Looks like our biggest area winner was Monticello's Ted Nixon, who took first in the grouper division. Prize includes a 115HP Yamaha outboard, which retails at over 9 grand. "Props" to you, Ted (pun intended).

Re: Another STAR Winner

Posted: September 8th, 2019, 10:47 pm
by GaryDroze
My prize was a 12.5ft 51Lb Live2Fish SUP. MSRP $2,299. Will sell for $1800 firm. That is a $500 discount PLUS you skip $170 of tax.

Re: Another STAR Winner

Posted: September 9th, 2019, 7:37 am
by BillytheKid
That Live2Fish is a nice board.

Re: Another STAR Winner

Posted: September 11th, 2019, 6:43 am
by Greenbone
Anyone interested in a Ocean Tamer Bean Bag ? I’m going to keep the Throwraft Surviver PFD.