INTRODUCTION TO C.F.O.A.

In 1983 John Conlon and Steve McElveen saw a need to start a fishing club in the Central Florida area. Both felt a need as they fished the coastal areas and found that many other anglers were from the Central Florida area. However unlike many of the ports, Central Florida did not have a fishing club. So through their insight and the efforts of Charlie Eby, Ray Stanton, Jim Neff and Bill Mathews, Central Florida Offshore Anglers was created.

After several months of weekly sessions, visiting other clubs, selecting a Board of Directors and drafting by-laws they were able to finally launch the organization on Monday, February 13, 1984 as a non-profit corporation.
Since that date changes to the by-laws have occurred in an effort to further promote saltwater angling for all ages and experience levels. Some of the most notable were the beginning of an inshore division beginning in 1998, and a Pee Wee and Seniors anglers division in 2002.

With these changes CFOA has still managed to keep the focus of the founding members to be dedicated to creating new friendships by fishing together, promoting conservation, and planning fishing trips and passing on angling knowledge.
The CFOA is operated and maintained through members who volunteer their time and talents, we encourage involvement with planning and working club activities; even if it is the simplest of tasks. If each of us can give a little back to the club as we were afforded, then the club will continue to prosper.

The club has many diverse members, boat owners and non-boat owners, proficient anglers and beginners from many different walks of life that share the common bond of angling and enjoying the camaraderie of great fishing experiences.

The Central Florida Offshore Anglers is a club for people who fish inshore as well as offshore. Everyone who has a passion for fishing and wishes to associate with others who share that passion is welcome to join. We currently have over 200 members and we encourage family and junior participation. Membership dues are $60.00 annually for the whole family and non members are welcome to come to our meetings.

The CFOA meets the second Monday of each month. The meetings are held at The Crowne Plaza Hotel located at the SW corner of Colonial Drive and I-4.

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Each meeting generally consists of the sharing of "fishing stories" with the group and a presentation by a guest speaker on a selected fishing topic. Past presentations have been on fishing techniques and equipment, targeting specific species of fish found in central Florida as well as boat and equipment maintenance. In addition, many meetings have "hands on" learning seminars to improve fish skills of bait rigging, tackle set-up, and other fishing techniques to sharpen your skills. Annually we hold an auction of donated or purchased fishing related equipment, supplies, trips and merchandise. This auction not only raises funds for the club but it also represents a great opportunity to purchase items at great prices. The money raised is used to fund research, artificial reef projects, and scholarships.

The club also hosts several fun tournaments during the year for both inshore and offshore fishing. A major event is the annual Memorial Day tournament from Port Canaveral. During the year each angler has the ability to enter fish into a year long fishing contest and at year end an awards banquet is held to recognize accomplishments. We also sponsor a sea food social that is a great way to learn how to prepare and cook the fish we catch.

One of the special features of the club is a members fishing trip. In past years we have gone as a club to the Keys or selected fishing ports in the Bahamas for a week of great fishing and great friendship.

Everyone is welcome to join so see you at our next meeting

By Laws