We have a great way to start the New Year! Join CFSA to kick it off right with a Fresh Fish Dinner from Bill Kosiba, and update from Matt Bunting from FWC on the EFP Program and Red Snapper Management, and an Nick Haddad from the UF Sea Grant Program aka "Return 'em Right"
Also, don't forget that we have the membership drive going on now - bring in a new member and get a ticket for the Daiwa Sea Power 800 electric reel and Live Bottom Bent butt rod - see the details below.
CFSA monthly socials are always free and open to the public.
CFSA has started a new member drive: through the end of December. Get a ticket for each newbie you bring in- there will be a drawing in January for a Daiwa electric reel and bent butt rod combo. Also- new memberships will run until the end of our 2026 year.
We hope to see you there!
Back by popular demand - Bill Kosiba will be cooking fish for everyone to enjoy during this month's Social. Be sure to thank Bill for volunteering his time and effort to cook for us.
Matt Bunting from FWC will be discussing the Red Snapper Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) project and the State of Florida's proposal to manage the Atlantic Red Snapper. FWC's EFP projects collect better data and test new, innovative ideas to manage the South Atlantic Red Snapper fishery. The goals of the EFP projects are to collaborate with recreational anglers to give them an opportunity to provide better catch and discard data and test a snapper grouper aggregate bag limit. This presentation will review the EPF program, Red Snapper data collected so far and, the State of Florida's proposal to take over management of Atlantic Red Snapper.
Matt Bunting
Federal Fisheries Section
Northeast Florida, Regional Biologist
Division of Marine Fisheries Management
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Matt is originally from southeast Florida and is an avid outdoorsman, which is why he chose to work in this field. He likes to say he is a fisherman first, biologist second. Matt has been working with the FWC for 10 years, mostly in research and more recently with the Division of Marine Fisheries Management. His undergrad was in Marine science from Florida Gulf Coast University and his masters was completed at the University of Florida studying juvenile tarpon. His current position is the regional biologist for NE Florida based out of Jacksonville working in the Federal Fisheries section of the Division of Marine Fisheries Management.
Nick Haddad - UF Sea Grant "Return 'em Right" program. Nick grew up in Pennsylvania where he developed a passion for fishing and the outdoors at a young age. Nick is the Sustainable Fisheries Communications Manager for Florida Sea Grant and Return 'Em Right. The Return 'Em Right program provides free training and gear to improve the survival of released reef fish. He previously held a position as the Angler Recognition Coordinator for the International Game Fish Association (IGFA). With 25 years of angling experience, fishing remains central to his life.
New Member Drive - Get a new member to join CFSA and win a Daiwa Sea Power 800 electric reel and matching rod combo.
- For each new member you get to join CFSA, you get a raffle ticket for the electric rod and reel combination.
https://www.mycfoa.com/Join-CFOA
- The new member must join CFSA on or before the January Social on January 20th.
- The new member must put your name in the "Referred By" section of the membership application.
- Electric Rod/Reel combo will be raffled off at the January Social on Tuesday January 20th.
Don't forget to renew your 2026 CFSA membership!
https://www.mycfoa.com/renew
6:30 - Member discussions
7:00 - Program start
Monthly raffle - great prizes included Premium rod/reel combo
Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20
Bring a guest and get a free raffle ticket!
When:
Tuesday January 20th, 2025 @ 6:30pm
Note that Mud Hole Tackle Center has expanded offerings - come early and browse the updated tackle center!
