The Statewide Tournament and Angler’s Rodeo (STAR) is designed to educate the general public about the importance of conserving Florida’s marine resources. The STAR format encourages sportsmen and sportswomen of all ages to protect and preserve Florida’s fishery resources for future viability and accessibility. By promoting participation in STAR, CCA Florida will aid in the collection of significant scientific data while providing anglers of all skill levels with the opportunity to participate in a family-friendly angling competition. All STAR participants should develop a heightened appreciation for the challenges facing Florida’s fishery resources and should thereby develop a newfound awareness of the efforts needed to conserve them.
STAR is a not-for-profit entity. All revenues from angler entry fees and sponsorships will be used to support tournament expenses such as prizes, tournament administration, tournament promotion, advertising, and data collection. The first year of STAR will be limited to the West coast of Florida, although anglers throughout Florida are eligible to participate, as long as they are members of CCA in good standing. The tournament format includes several targeted species and overlaying divisions for any anglers who have correctly registered for the tournament. A stated goal of STAR in future years is to expand to all of state waters, including the east coast and the Florida Keys. In doing so, the tournament rules will eventually include other species in its format (pelagics, for example). Tournament rules require a catch and photo format for all tournament categories. Photographs must be taken while any tournament-eligible fish is alive and in releasable condition. STAR encourages all participants to safely handle, photograph, and release (when appropriate) each tournament catch.