Introduction to Central Florida Offshore Anglers

In 1983, John Conlon and Steve McElveen saw a need to start a fishing club in the Central Florida area. Both felt a need as they fished the coastal areas and found that many other anglers were from the Central Florida area. However, unlike many of the ports, Central Florida did not have a fishing club. So through their insight and the efforts of Charlie Eby, Ray Stanton, Jim Neff, and Bill Mathews, Central Florida Offshore Anglers was created.

After Several months of weekly meetings, visiting other clubs, selecting a Board of Directors, and drafting by-laws they were able to finally launch the organization on Monday, February 13, 1984 as a non-profit corporation.

Since that date changes to the by-laws have occurred in an effort to further promote saltwater angling for all ages and experience levels. Some of the most notable were the beginnings of an inshore program in 1998 and a PeeWee and Senior's angling division in 2002.

With these changes to CFOA has still managed to keep the focus of the founding members to be dedicated to creating new friendships by fishing together, promoting conversation, planning fishing trips, and passing on angling knowledge.

2014 promises to be another year with numerous activities planned including club trips around Florida, several intra-club social tournaments, and many sport fishing industry guest speakers and top anglers from Florida.

The club has many diverse members, both boat owners and non-boat owners, proficient anglers and beginners alike from many different walks of life that share the common bond of angling and enjoying the camaraderie of great fishing experiences.

Mission Statement

Provide angling education and a forum to our members for promoting family participation and friendly activities while respecting the need to conserve our angling resources. Encourage and assist members to promote sport fishing and expand the knowledge of others. Actively work with others to protect our angling resources in Florida and the Atlantic Coast.

Goal

To promote camaraderie and friendships within the membership and provide tangible education for all anglers while encouraging active participation by all members in CFOA activities.