40th Annual N.S.F.A. Kingfish& Fishing Rodeo

By Terry D. Lacoss

Members of the Nassau Sport Fishing Association” have made some game changing, fish catching new rules for the upcoming “40th Annual Fernandina Beach Kingfish & Fishing Rodeo”. New tournament rules will give all tournament boats the same advantages, which eventually should attract more boats and larger cash and tournament prizes.

The popular Fernandina Beach fishing tournament will once again be held from the Oasis, Fernandina Harbor Marina, which is located at the foot of historic Centre St. Tournament dates are set for August 12th and 13th. A mandatory “Captain’s” meeting will be held on Friday, August 11th beginning at 7:00 pm. If your team is not pre-registered, teams can register from 3:00 – 8:00 pm. Page-1

The big rule change for the upcoming tournament limits tournament waters where small boats will be able to compete against the larger fishing boats. All fishing must be done in the designated water including a north boundary of latitude 31°20´N (Altamaha Sound) and a southern boundary of latitude, (Matanzas Inlet). The east boundary will be no further than 3 nautical miles from the beach.

There is no check out. Tournament boats can launch anytime but may not put any lines in the water until 6:30 am. Tournament hours are from 6:30 am until 5:00 pm. Live bait may not be purchased, which is also a new regulation. Fishing teams may catch their own live baits beginning at 5:00 am and during tournament hours with hooks or a cast net.

A photo must be taken of your kingfish as soon as it is caught with the official issued boat number and the beach in the background. Photos must be sent via text to NSFA at (770) 355-1387. All photos become the property of Nassau Sport Fishing Association. Tournament boats must check in at the Fernandina Harbor Marina beginning at 2:00 pm and be in line by 5:00 pm.

Awards will include “Lady Angler”, 16 years and older for the largest kingfish. Lady anglers must be on the boat when the fish is caught. Youth angler prizes will be for young fishermen 15 years old and younger, boy or girl. Youth anglers must also be on the boat when the fish is caught.

There also will be an inshore tournament for the largest redfish, seatrout, flounder, and sheepshead as well as a prize for the redfish with the most spots. Depending on the number of boats that enter this year’s event, the boat that weighs the largest kingfish will take home $10,000.00 in cold cash for 110 paid entries. The more entries the bigger the payout.

“Our event has always been a hometown fishing tournament, but we are looking forward to expanding the participants this year” NSFA President Shawn Arnold said. “We are extremely proud that through donations we were able donate $18,000.00 to local youth scholarships this year”.

Team James Powell weighed in the largest kingfish during last year’s event weighing 51.30 lbs. which was a new tournament record! Without saying the productive waters surrounding Amelia Island have produced winning size king mackerel during the many years of competitive kingfish tournaments.

This event is also sanctioned by the Southern Kingfish Association. The Fernandina Beach Kingfish Tournament is part of SKA Division V which also includes upcoming tournament the “Ancient City Kingfish Challenge”, 7-13-23, The Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament” 7-17-23 and the “Fernandina Beach Kingfish Tournament & Rodeo”, 8-11-23. SKA teams will also have an opportunity to win both cash and prizes in both the SKA tournament and the Fernandina Beach Kingfish Tournament. For more information for the Southern Kingfish Association, go to www.fishska.com.

For information for the Nassau Sport Fishing Association, www.nsfarodeo.com

Saturday, AUGUST 11 - 12, 2023

The Fernandina Beach Fishing Rodeo will continue it’s Division V Southern Kingfish Association tournament tradition while again offering a more family oriented tournament with four species of offshore and four species of backwater game fish targeted for cash awards. www.nsfafish.net/rodeo