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
Women's
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
- Men's 1st Place = $200 Academy Sports Gift Card; 2nd Place = $100 Academy Sports Gift Card; 3rd Place = $50 Academy Sports Gift Card
- Women's 1st Place = $200 Academy Sports Gift Card; 2nd Place = $100 Academy Sports Gift Card; 3rd Place = $50 Academy Sports Gift Card
- Juniors (16 and under) 1st Place = $75 Academy Sports Gift Card; 2nd Place = $50 Academy Sports Gift Card; 3rd Place = $25 Academy Sports Gift Card
- Tournament dates: July 9th, 10th 11th
- Online tournament, catches need to be submitted at https://mycfoa.com/weigh-slip
- Angler must be a CFOA Member in good standing by July 8th.
- Valid Weigh Slips must be submitted between Friday July 9th till the end of Tuesday July 13th. For the junior's category, parents must enter the weighslips.
- 2 Pictures need to be submitted – 1 with Angler holding the fish and the other with the fish on the scale
- Pictures should be submitted onto the CFOA Facebook Page as well as the weighslip form.
- All Weigh Slips will be approved and results posted on Wednesday July 14th after the season is over
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...
Chris Roody Wins Cobiathon with 55 lbs. 7 oz. fish
Congratulations to CFOA's Chris Roody for winning the 2021 2 week virtual Cobiathon with a 55 lbs. 7 oz. Fish.