Presented by Yamaha, CCA Florida STAR is the largest family-friendly saltwater fishing competition in Florida, offering unmatched prizes and a unique focus on conservation and education. This can’t-miss event kicks off each year on Memorial Day weekend and runs throughout the summer. With prizes and scholarships totaling nearly $500,000, the competition stands as a beacon of community engagement, attracting anglers of all ages and skill levels. Even non-anglers can participate and win by taking part in the innovative “Trash Division,” which rewards those who help clean Florida’s waterways.
Launched in 2015, CCA Florida STAR was created to combine cutting-edge technology with a mission to preserve Florida’s marine ecosystems. It’s recognized as a “catch, photo, and release” competition, where participants document their catches using a smartphone app. This approach eliminates the need to harvest fish, ensuring the proper handling and release of all species while promoting sustainable fishing practices.
Making Waves with Technology and Impact
Since its inception, CCA Florida STAR has awarded over $1.2 million in prizes, including $600,000 in college scholarships. The competition’s conservation-driven approach extends beyond fishing. Through its “Trash Division,” participants have removed over 6,600 five-gallon buckets of debris from Florida’s waterways, helping to maintain and restore the beauty of these vital habitats.
The event’s innovative technology, developed by Elemental Methods, plays a critical role in its success. The comprehensive web portal and mobile app (available on iOS and Android) streamline the process for anglers to record and submit catch data. For the “Trash Division,” participants use the app to log the type and amount of garbage collected, with GPS capabilities enabling the documentation of larger debris for organized collection efforts.
More Than a Tournament: A Legacy of Conservation
CCA Florida STAR is more than just a fishing competition—it’s a platform for conservation, education, and community action. By fostering a culture of sustainability and rewarding environmental stewardship, it has become a beloved tradition that brings families, friends, and communities together while safeguarding Florida’s marine resources for generations to come.
