COBIATHON - CFOA VS FSFA - 2023
Sponsored By CFOA & FSFA
DATE: March 15th through April 15th @ 3:00pm
WHERE: CAPE MARINA PAVILION Awards Ceremony
TIME: Weigh in closes at 3:00 PM followed by the awards ceremony starts at 3:00 PM on April 15th.
RULES: Catch the largest legal cobia by rod and reel. Member must be in good standing by March 15th in order to compete. CFOA Entries must be entered into a CFOA Weighslip; https://mycfoa.com/weigh-slip and include;
1) a picture of the fish on the scale
2) a picture with angler holding the fish and this year’s Token.
WHAT: Awards ceremony will be from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM April 15th. Eligible fishing will be from March 15th through April 15th at 3:00 PM. Fish caught must be by a current member in good standing of either the FSFA or the CFOA. Boats with members from both clubs must select which club they represent. Also, hamburgers and hotdogs will be donated and cooked by CFOA this year and will be served starting at 4:00 PM
Prizes: Winner of the largest Cobia (or King if no legal cobia are caught) will get a rod and reel set up, provided by FSFA. 2nd & 3rd Place winners will receive Tournament Shirts. Winner will also get bragging rights for their club for a year. There will also be a raffle provided by FSFA and each attendee will get one ticket free of charge for a chance to win.
Special Note: The token will be needed with the picture in order to qualify. Please print and retain in a zip lock bag and carry with you.
Click below to download the token for your picture.
https://www.mycfoa.com/cobiathon
CFOA come out and fish, enjoy some camaraderie and represent your club at the Awards Ceremony on April 15th.
March 13th Social - Capt. Scott Lum - Tripletail & Cobia
CFOA is pleased to announce that Captain Scott Lum will be our guest speaker this month sharing his tips and techniques for catching tripletail and cobia.
Capt. Scott Lum grew up fishing, surfing, and cherishing Florida’s Space Coast. He knows the waters of the Indian River Lagoon and the Atlantic well; he’s spent nearly as much time on the ocean as he has on land! Captain Scott Lum is one of the most versatile fishing guides in the Central Florida area. His specialties include nearshore and offshore fishing for numerous species from cobia to tripletail. He’s considered an expert in the most exciting and productive sportfishing methods such as live-baiting and sightfishing.
More information on Captain Scott Lum: Outcast Sportfishing Charters
When: Monday, March 13th - 6:30pm
Where: Mud Hole Custom Tackle, Inc.
2133 Component Loop
Suite 1001
Oviedo, FL 32765
https://g.page/mudholetackle?share
CFOA Socials are held in the Mud Hole’s training room.
CFOA Rigging Seminar - Monday Feb. 13th
Come out to the CFOA Rigging Seminar to learn from the local saltwater fishing experts. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Walk from table to table and learn from local fishing guides and companies. Get one on one time and ask all the questions you would like. Topics will cover inshore and offshore saltwater fishing, rod & reel maintenance, knots, baits, lures and more!
Rigging Topics Include:
- Tripler Tail and Flounder: Captain Scott Lum, Outcast Sportfishing Charters
- Tarpon and Nearshore: Captain Jim Ross, Fineline Fishing Charters
- Inshore Rigs: Captain Justin Ross, Fineline Fishing Charters
- Inshore Soft Plastics: Captain Billy Petigrew, Com'n'Get It Fishing Charter and Guide Service
- Sebastian Tarpon and Nearshore: Captain Glyn Austin, Going Coastal Charters
- Vertical Slow Pitch Jigging: Justin Richey, Salt Strong Fishing Club
- Deep Dropping: Captain Sonny Richards, AA Fishing Charter, Sebastian
- Bottom Rigs: John Barber
- Trolling Lures: Captain Joe Bielawski, Ancient Mariner Tackle
- Trolling Plugs: David Clark
- Ballyhoo Rigging: Captain Terry Winn
- Wahoo Trolling: Jon Turner
- Bowfishing, Gator & Duck Hunting: Captain Jake McFadden, Marsh Madness Outfitters
- Bass Fishing: Captain Lewis Przystup, Capt. Lewis (@fom_charters)
- Shad and Crappie: Captain Tom VanHorn, Mosquito Coast Fishing Charters
- Rod and Reel care: Terry Cheatum, Kel's Rod and Reel Service
and many more...
When: Monday, February 13th - 6:30pm
Where: Mud Hole Custom Tackle, Inc.
2133 Component Loop
Suite 1001
Oviedo, FL 32765
https://g.page/mudholetackle?share
Awards Banquet - Dec. 12 (Members Only Event)
Please email svandeho@yahoo.com to rsvp.
When:
Monday, December 12th - 6:30pm
Where: Mud Hole Custom Tackle, Inc.
2133 Component Loop
Suite 1001
Oviedo, FL 32765
https://g.page/mudholetackle?share
November 14th, Social - w/ Capt. Terry Winn - Shrimping & Crabbing
At the November CFOA Social, Terry Winn will be sharing his tips and techniques for successful Shrimping and Crabbing. Dip netting or using a cast net for shrimp can be very rewarding and fun. Terry will also cover techniques for catching blue crabs and stone crabs.
Terry Winn Fishing Bio
Born and raised in Central Florida and have been fishing the saltwater areas of the State for over 60 years including the Middle Grounds, Keys, Tortugas and East Coast along with areas of Panama, Alaska, Long Island and Venice, Louisiana. Has a passion for all saltwater types of fishing, shrimping and crabbing especially deep water bottom fishing.
A retired Chief Fire Officer/Paramedic and holder of USCG master Captain’s license along with being involved in the Marine electronics industry. Has been featured in articles and TV for Florida Sportsman Magazine and has worked extensively with Dolphin and Red Snapper tagging programs. Past President of Central Florida Offshore Anglers fishing club (CFOA) and has had the Top Boat in both inshore and offshore Club Divisions numerous times in their annual interclub competition. Holds numerous club records for the CFOA as well as the Florida Sport Fishing Association (FSFA) for which he has also achieved Master Angler status.
We will be holding raffles but, you have to be present to win.
When: Monday September 12th @ 6:30pm
Where: Mud Hole Custom Tackle, Inc.
2133 Component Loop
Suite 1001
Oviedo, FL 32765
https://g.page/mudholetackle?share
October/November Redfish Tournament
DATES: October 11th 2022 through November 13th
WHERE: Florida State waters.
RULES:
1. Catch the largest Redfish measured by length or, the Redfish with the most spots on a single side of the fish.
2. All fish must be caught by rod and reel in Florida waters.
3. Contestants must be in good standing of CFOA or the Reel Knights fishing clubs by October 10th in order to compete.
4. Redfish entries must be entered into a CFOA Weighslip https://mycfoa.com/weigh-slip and must include:
o 1 picture of the fish on a measuring tape/ruler
o 1 picture with angler holding the fish with the spots clearly visible and this year’s Redfish Token (attached).
o Download and print the Redfish Tournament token here. The token will be needed in the picture of the Redfish in order to qualify. Please print and retain in a zip lock bag and carry with you.
o Reel Knights contestants will register as they use the Weigh Slip form for the first time.
WHAT: Winners will be announced at the CFOA Social on November 14th at 6:30pm at the Mud Hole Custom Tackle.
PRIZES:
Awards will be Academy Sports Gift Cards for the following places:
- Largest Redfish: 1st Place $100 Gift Card, 2nd. Place $50 Gift Card, 3rd place $25 Gift Card
- Most Spots: $100 Gift Card
Good luck and catch 'em up!
September 12th, Social - w/ Capt. Leiza Fitzgerald
CFOA is pleased to announce Captain Leiza Fitzgerald as the guest speaker for the CFOA September meeting. Captain Leiza Fitzgerald affectionately known as the “Queen of Conservation” and currently the CCA Florida STAR Director. She is a (retired) tournament professional, fishing guide and Hall of Famer. See her biography below.
Captain Leiza Fitzgerald will be sharing her knowledge on the following topics and much more.
1. Redfish tips and techniques
2. New and proposed fishing regulations
3. Mosquito lagoon conditions - seagrass recovery, etc..
4. Conservation activities and how we can help
This meeting is open to the public and everyone is welcome to attend.
We will be holding raffles but, you have to be present to win.
When: Monday September 12th @ 6:30pm
Where: Mud Hole Custom Tackle, Inc.
2133 Component Loop
Suite 1001
Oviedo, FL 32765
https://g.page/mudholetackle?share
Note: Pizza and Drinks will be served but, feel free to bring in your own food.
Captain Leiza Fitzgerald Biography overview
- CCA Florida STAR Director
- Cabela’s Pro-Staff hunter & angler
- “Top Gun” instructor for the Extreme Backwater Fishing School, and Orvis Fly Casting School instructor.
- Salt Strong top twelve lady anglers in Florida and Salt Strong Coach.
- “Sportsman of the Year by the Sarasota Sportsman’s Association”
- 2020 Wildlife Enthusiast magazine Top 5 most influential saltwater female anglers
- 2021 International Women’s Fishing Association Top Lady Angler in Redfish, Snook and Sheepshead
- 2022 Florida Sports Hall of Fame as the first Angler Athlete.
- Writer for local and national outdoor publications.
- Co-Hosted The National Outdoor Group, The Sporting Life weekly Podcast, “Let’s Go Fishing” and guest-hosts 5 different television and radio fishing shows annually.
- Captain Fitzgerald has fished world-wide and hunted throughout North America.
July Red Snapper Tournament Winners
Congratulations to our CFOA Members Red Snapper Tournament.
1st Place Mens: Jeff Hood - 11.15 lbs.
1st Place Womens: Debbie Rigdon - 12.47 lbs.
2nd Place Womens: Mary Van de Houten - 12.41 lbs.
3rd Place Womens: Julie Hood - 11.11 lbs.
I bet a lot of you are kicking yourself for not submitting a weighslip. I know I am, Scott VdH.
May 21st, 2022 - 36th Annual CFOA Tournament
View the results Here.
March 15th - May 7th, 2022 - Cobiathon
Cobiathon Extended to May 7th!
Every year CFOA and FSFA (CFOA's sister club) have a cobia tournament for friendly competition and bragging rights. There are virtually no rules other than a club member from either club must be on each boat. Heaviest fish will win a rod and reel combo. If no cobia are caught the heaviest kingfish will win.
2022 - We want a reef 2.5 miles off of Cocoa Beach!
The Central Florida Offshore Anglers (CFOA) and Florida Sport Fishing Association (FSFA) are collecting funds on behalf of the Space Coast Artificial Reef Advisory Board (SCARAB) for the creation of a nearshore artificial reef in the Atlantic Ocean within Florida State waters approximately 2.5 miles off of Cocoa Beach Pier. This Brevard County nearshore reef will be easily accessible by smaller boats, and a place where snapper, grouper, flounder and other reef fish could thrive. This nearshore reef will fall within the State of Florida FWC fishing regulations.
New Year, New Club Tournament
It's 2022 and our club tournament is in full swing. This tournament is for club members only. From Nov. 1st to Oct. 31st you measure your catches and submit your weigh slip online. There are categories for inshore and offshore species. You receive points for the top 3 of each species. You also earn angler and boat points. The ultimate goal is to win top boat honors for the year.
Reid Reef Deployed Successfully on Sept. 30th.
We had a great weather window for the deployment of Reid Reef on Sept. 30th. This is our 5th artificial reef deployment in as many years. It is about 15 miles due east of Port Canaveral. The modules provide 8 to 10 feet of relief and will quickly bolster the benthic and pelagic species in the area. Here are some pics for the deployment. When we get the final coordinates, we'll post them in the members only section of the site.
Congratulations to our Red Snapper Tournament Winners
Winners, please pick up your Academy Spots and Outdoors gift cards at our August Social.
Men's
1st Place - Mel waters 19.00 lbs
2nd Place - Chris Pashos 16.60 lbs
3rd Place - Barry Roy 15.49 lbs
1st Place - Mary Van de Houten 16.18 lbs
2nd Place - Isabella Travis 14.13 lbs
Junior's
1st Place - Lucas Roody - 10.75 lbs
July 2021 Red Snapper Tournament
CFOA will have its own members only Red Snapper tournament.
Note: New Women's and junior's Categories
Weigh Slips are entered at the CFOA website. Here is the link: https://mycfoa.com/weigh-slip
Remember this is members only, so if you were on the fence to join us now is a great time! Have fun, be safe and catch some huge Red Snapper!
2021 Annual Tournament - Congrats to Double Stuffed
Remembering One of Our Founders - Bill Mathews
One of our founding members, Bill Mathews, recently left us for a better fishing grounds. Please pray for Bill and his family and, pass this on to others knew Bill.
"As an outdoorsman, he was passionate about fishing his entire life, he was one of the founding members of Central Florida Offshore Anglers (CFOA). An outstanding offshore fisherman, he won many tournaments and awards, often competing with his oldest daughter Lisa."
https://www.settlewilderfuneralhome.com/.../Bill-Mathews...
Congratulations to CFOA's Chris Roody for winning the 2021 2 week virtual Cobiathon with a 55 lbs. 7 oz. Fish.