2020 Red Snapper Season Announced

The recreational sector will open for harvest on weekends only on the following 4 days:

July 10, 11, and 12, 2020 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) - The recreational season opens at 12:01 a.m., local time, on July 10, 2020, and closes at 12:01 a.m., local time, on July 13, 2020.

July 17, 2020 (Friday) - The recreational season opens again at 12:01 a.m., local time, on July 17, 2020, and closes at 12:01 a.m., local time, on July 18, 2020.

State Reef Fish Survey Moving to Atlantic as Well

Starting July 1, 2020, all those who intend to fish for or harvest certain reef fish from a private vessel in Florida are required to obtain the State Reef Fish Angler designation. The statewide State Reef Fish Survey will be replacing the Gulf Reef Fish Survey.

Cancelled:  June 27th - 35th Annual OffshoreTournament  

Update: The Central Florida Offshore Anglers Board of Directors and CFOA 35th Annual Offshore Tournament Committee have made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s Offshore Tournament scheduled for June 27, 2020. 

Learn More

Dolphinfish Research Program - 2019 Year in Review

Every year we try to donate to the Dolphinfish Research Program.  They track Mahi through satellite tags and report back with the data to learn their migrations.  They just posted this year's data, you can view more here:   

https://t.e2ma.net/message/mksdac/uux660

Pyramids" deployed 15 miles east of Port Canaveral

Space Coast Artificial Reef Advisory Board (SCARAB) comprised of FSFA, CFOA, CCA and Brevard County boating and waterways program has successfuly deployed the 4th artificial reef in as many years.   Matt Culver from Brevard County, Christine Kittle and Jeff Renchen FWC artificial reef program and Chris Pashos FSFA Director left the dock at at 6:00 AM and were on site by 7:00 AM.  The crew began deploying at 9:45 AM  and completed at 11:30 AM with the 23 pyramids in place.  The pattern is 4 rows wide and 6 deep spaced approximately 30 feet apart.  The pyramids are contructed of marine grade concrete and cocquina rock.  

Subsequent to the deployment Christine and Jeff dove last years deployment of reef balls.  There was good marine growth, bait pods and predatory fish on the reef. This is exactly what we're trying to accomplish with placing the artificial reefs to improve fish habitat and fishing opportunites for sportsman. 

Many thanks to the cooperative effort of the SCARAB and all the wonderful members of each club that contribute to make this deployment possible.

The 3rd artificial reef named Newy Reef, in honor of longtime CFOA member Donald Newhauser,  was deployed on August 7th, 15 miles east of the port and .28 miles south of Ebins Pyramids. I accompanied Matt Culver from Brevard County, Christine and Jeff from FWC artificial reef division in Tallahassee. It was a bit sporty heading out, and the waves also kept the reef deployment contractor from getting set up right away. After the seas calmed down a bit the barge put out the anchors and began to depoly the reef balls 4.5’ high and 5' base. The first reef ball began the descend to the ocean floor at 2:45 PM and the 24th was completed at 7:20 PM.  This reef will provide additional fishing opportunities to our fellow anglers out of Port Canaveral. Matt made a dive last week to survey the reef balls, he noted that algae was already growing and there were various small fish already congregated in the reef.  Many thanks to FSFA, CFOA and CCA clubs and their memberships that provided the matching funds again this year to make this possible.