CCA Florida STAR Tournament Update, 6/30

[silverking]

This news just in from Tournament Director Leiza Fitzgerald:

CCA Florida STAR Tournament presented by Yamaha has almost 70 days of fishing left and 117 of the 120 STAR tagged reds released in the Gulf. Plenty of time and opportunities for the next winning STAR tagged redfish to be caught. Just this past weekend STAR had a tagged redfish caught in Chokoloskee Bay making that tagged redfish number 8. The angler was registered in STAR however they did not know all the rules and released the fish before it was properly verified making the catch ineligible. Tagged redfish number 9 was caught on Thursday June 25th in Pensacola Bay. This fish was caught by a non-registered angler who kept the fish for dinner instead of winning a new Hells Bay Waterman.

The first tagged redfish winner won a 2015 GMC 1500 crew cab pick-up truck provided by Conley Buick GMC. This leaves 5 of the first 6 prize winning tagged redfish to be caught by a registered angler who is a CCA member still out there. Verified tagged redfish winner number 2 will win a new Hells Bay Waterman, number 3 a Pathfinder 2200TRS, number 4 a Contender 22 Sport and numbers 5 & 6 a package of similar value all powered by Yamaha.

Other division prizes in CCA Florida STAR include Bad Boy Buggies Recoil 4x4, River Hawk & Carolina Skiff boats, Engel coolers, Power Pole shallow water anchors, Costa Sunglasses, Shimano fishing tackle, Humminbird electronics, MinnKota trolling motors, Raymarine electronics, Bass Pro Shop, Marathon fuel & Simms gift cards, LIVE Watersports paddle boards & so much more – nearly $500,000 worth of prizes in all. And perhaps most exciting of all, youth anglers who are New Tide members fish for FREE and are eligible to win a share of $100,000 in scholarships.

For complete rules, a full listing of divisions, all the great prizes, verification locations to pick up the official measuring device and to enter Florida STAR, visit http://www.CCAFLStar.com. It’s not too late to make plans to get in on the action this summer.


Silverking: There are still a lot of tagged redfish swimming around out there. Don't miss out on a new boat or other great prizes.

[Williamsdad]

Capt. Dave,

Any inside info on the recent catch and DQ from Pensacola Bay? We thought our Hell's Bay was gone, but apparently not so. Luc got that from Facebook, and I don't do Facebook, but I don't believe they offered much more.

Right now we're in a long stretch of can't fish, but appreciate the updates and any insight - want to make sure we do it right!

[zload]

From the FB posting:


Thank you for your patience regarding the verification of the 10th STAR tagged redfish that was caught on July 3rd in the panhandle.

Based on the verification process and the answers that the angler provided during the polygraph examination, it was determined that the angler did not qualify to win the Hell's Bay Waterman.

We take pride in ensuring the integrity of the STAR Tournament presented by Yamaha and look forward to awarding the Hell's Bay Waterman to the next CCA member and STAR registrant who follows all the rules and complies with the verification process.


Somebody on FB replied to the post and asked for details as to the issue but they declined to provide any additional details, sounds as if the polygraph was the issue.

[Williamsdad]

Thanks for posting that, Luc had shared it already as well.

Where's Paul Harvey when you need him?

[zload]

Thanks for posting that, Luc had shared it already as well.

Where's Paul Harvey when you need him?

My bad didn't see Luc's post or the FB post until you mentioned it... if I had to guess based on the report wording I would say that the reporting angler didn't actually catch the fish and the person who did wasn't registered but that would be speculation on my part. I don't think they would get to the polygraph part unless everything else was checked off as far as the rules go. Wonder if they could/would involve FWC or FDLE with potential fraud charges given the amount of money involved with the prizes. Seems like I read about a bass tournament angler getting charged with cheating/fraud in last year or so.

Update: Wow fraud, grand theft could at least be a potential charge for tournament cheating...

http://www.naweoa.org/j3/index.php?opti ... Itemid=272

[Williamsdad]

We were at Inlet Beach (30A) last week, and the very nice FWC officer checking licenses on the beach didn't know anything about this tournament. I told him I thought they were all about it - he said they're always the last to know.

[silverking]

Don't know anymore than what Leiza shared. The fish was disqualified and the Hell's Bay is still available, so that's a good thing for some lucky angler who's registered and follows the rules.

[silverking]

The STAR Tournament Presenting Sponsor, Yamaha Outboards, has just added another incentive to the pot.

If the STAR FaceBook page receives 5,000 Likes, one lucky person will win a 50-hp outboard. So for you social media gurus out there, go to the STAR FaceBook page and Like it for your chance to win.

Eleven tagged redfish have been caught, but only one angler was registered in the tournament. The next one wins a Hells Bay skiff package, so make sure you're eligible and keep on fishing! It would be great to see a Big Bend angler win one of these cool prizes. And remember, junior anglers fish for free for college scholarships!

[Williamsdad]

Thought I had a great idea this morning, CCA didn't agree. Luc and I proved the odds are a little bigger than 1 in 16 on Saturday, best day all Summer - 16 slots, 0 tags.


From: Caitlin Mitchell [mailto:cmitchell@ccaflorida.org]
Sent: Monday, August 31, 2015 9:58 AM
To: Williams, John
Subject: RE: Here's a thought

Hey John,

I appreciate your input. Unfortunately, the stakes have been set. The length of the tournament is a precedent we’ll be meeting for future years, so especially for our first year, it needs to remain constant. Thanks again, and good luck out there!

Caitlin

Caitlin Mitchell
Regional Director
Coastal Conservation Association Florida
Office 407-854-7002
Cell 334-391-2232
Dedicated To Conserving And Protecting
Florida's Marine Resources.

Sent: Monday, August 31, 2015 8:26 AM
To: Caitlin Mitchell
Subject: Here's a thought

Good morning Caitlin, trying to plant a seed.

Since only one grand prize has been claimed, with only about a week to go, why not extend the grand prize tournament through Sept./October, when the fishing will pick up and be on fire?

Thanks for the consideration, tournament has been great fun! - John Williams

[silverking]

Makes sense for our waters, John, but with the scope all along the West Coast the organizers had to strike a balance. The STAR formula/timeline has been established for years too, with other member states like Texas, Louisiana/MS, so they are sticking to continuity for marketing purposes. I'm sure word is getting around now, especially among those who caught tagged fish, that you have to be registered to win. Should boost numbers for 2016 STAR.

Sure wish someone from the Big Bend would luck into a tagged red, though. You and Luc sure gave it a run this past weekend.

With only limited fishing days this summer due to my travel schedule, I have yet to catch a photo qualifier. As consolation, my fishing buddy and I have caught plenty of redfish recently. Unfortunately, none were toting around that Hells Bay skiff on their backs. Going to try again before the deadline.

With his determination and mojo, Gary Droze should be winning some prizes in either the trout or sheepshead division.

Tight lines and good luck to all contestants.

[rockyg]

I checked about 2 dozen Red's for tags last weekend. Not a one had a Hell's Bay Waterman tag.

I have hooked ONE legal trout in the last month and that one pulled the hook at boatside yesterday. I cried a tiny bit.

I have two Trout entries for the entire summer and I fish a lot. I believe that in due time the FWC will announce that in the Spring of 2015 the Speckled Trout population in the Big Bend region collapsed for some unknown reason. They will limit or eliminate recreational and commercial harvest until the population rebounds.

The definition of closing the barn door after the horse has already run away.

[GaryDroze]

So far I've registered 36 open division trout entries, 9 kayak division trout entries, and 6 open division sheepshead entries. Have been fishing every time I can get away for a few hours to wade or kayak. This tourney format is exhausting!

If I don't win something, I'm gonna cry more than a tiny bit.

[silverking]

This just in from the STAR Tournament Director. A tagged redfish was caught by an unregistered angler this week off a dock between Lanark and Turkey Point. He lost out on a $45K Hell's Bay skiff by not being registered.

ATTENTION Florida residents: Friends do not let friends go fishing on the west coast without joining CCA and registering for STAR.  Especially when it’s the last weekend of STAR!  There are still 5 boat, motor and trailer packages available, a Hells Bay Waterman, Pathfinder 2200 TRS, Contender 22 Sport and two other boats of equal value all powered by Yamaha as well as many other great prizes available.

This Labor Day weekend until Monday at 5pm is the last opportunity to catch a STAR tagged redfish or to enter a catch in any of the STAR divisions. There is nearly $500,000 in prizes with $100,000 of that being Youth Scholarships presented by Bright House Networks up for grabs. To win all you have to do is be a CCA member, registered in STAR and log an eligible catch photographed on the official STAR measuring device into any of the various divisions Snook, Trout, Cobia, Sheepshead, Ladies, Kayak, Fly or Youth. The winners of these divisions are determined by a drawing not the largest fish caught so every entry has an opportunity to win.

Division prizes in CCA Florida STAR presented by Yamaha  include Bad Boy Buggies Recoil 4x4, River Hawk & Stumpnocker boats, Engel coolers, Power Pole shallow water anchors, Costa Sunglasses, Shimano fishing tackle, Humminbird electronics, MinnKota trolling motors, Raymarine electronics, Bass Pro Shop, Marathon fuel & Simms gift cards, LIVE Watersports paddle boards &  so much more – nearly $500,000 worth of prizes in all.  And perhaps most exciting of all, youth anglers who are New Tide members fish for FREE and are eligible to win a share of $100,000 in scholarships.

If you go fishing without being a CCA member or registering for STAR this Labor Day weekend you could end up just like the last 21 anglers who went fish thinking THEY would never catch a STAR tagged redfish. They are now crying the tagged redfish blues over the $45,000 boat prize package powered by Yamaha that they did not win. You will also miss the opportunity to win any of the other fantastic prizes in the other divisions. It only takes one fish, STAR tagged or not.

You have until September 7, Labor Day at 5pm. It’s not too late to make plans to get in on the action and win.

For complete rules, a full listing of divisions, all the great prizes, verification locations to pick up the official measuring device and to enter Florida STAR, visit www. CCAFLSTAR.com  

[tallykenj]

Damn unregistered fisherman keep taking my tagged redfish.

[silverking]

You'd look good poling the girls across the flats in that Hell's Bay.