CCA Florida, the state’s leading organization dedicated to marine fisheries conservation, education, and advocacy, today shared details on the first winner in the nonprofit’s signature event: CCA Florida STAR, presented by Yamaha. While two of the event’s tagged redfish were caught, only one angler was registered to win and will walk away with a prize package worth more than $55,000 from Maverick Boat Group and Yamaha Outboards.
Monticello resident Benjamin Gavins caught a 19-inch STAR tagged redfish (tag FL637) on June 1 near Lanark Village in Franklin County. A CCA Florida member since 2013, Gavins was shocked to see the tag on his catch and immediately notified the organization, per event regulations.
“Frankly, I was stunned when I saw the green tag on that beautiful little red,” said Gavins. “This is my third year fishing the STAR event and it continues to be the most enjoyable fishing competition I have ever entered, and it’s all to support the conservation of our precious marine resources. I call that a win-win.”
Of the event’s major prizes, Gavins chose the 2017 Pathfinder 2200 TRS bay boat.
A second STAR tagged redfish, tag FL704, was also caught on June 1, but in Sisters Creek near Jacksonville. At the time of his catch, the angler was neither a CCA Florida member or registered for the STAR event and is ineligible for any prize package.
CCA Florida STAR, presented by Yamaha, is the largest family-friendly saltwater fishing competition in Florida and kicked-off on Saturday, May 27. STAR focuses on conservation and offers up to $500,000 in prizes and scholarships. CCA Florida is using the social media-based, 101-day event to educate the public on the importance of protecting Florida’s marine resources. Recognized as a “catch, photo and release” competition, STAR’s smartphone app eliminates the requirement for anglers to harvest or capture and transport fish.
Prizes in the event’s STAR Signature Division include a new GMC Sierra Pickup or one of several Yamaha- powered boat packages including a Contender 22 Sport, Pathfinder 2200 TRS, Maverick HPX-S, Sea Hunt 225 Ultra or the Carolina Skiff 21 Sport & Fish. Youth anglers will be eligible to participate in the tagged redfish division with the first two winners taking home a Carolina Skiff 16 JVX CC powered by a 40hp Yamaha.
The STAR Youth Scholarship Division presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors offers the opportunity to win one of twelve scholarships totaling $100,000. Other divisions include Conservation and Costa Kick Plastic, which encourage trash and debris collection, and Open, Ladies, Fly, Kayak, Lionfish Professional Guides. Eligible species are spotted seatrout, snook, sheepshead, non-tagged redfish, cobia, dolphin, and kingfish. Division winners are determined by a random drawing, a format that encourages participants of all ages to protect and conserve Florida’s fisheries.
For more information on STAR or to register, visit the CCA Florida Facebook page or ccaflstar.com.