"Taking the Bait" Wins the 2023 Kingfish tournament with a 47.7 lb. Kingfish.                                     

On August 12, NSFA hosted the 40th annual Fernandina Beach Kingfish Tournament and Fishing Rodeo with over $52,000 in cash and prizes paid out. We had a great turnout of competitors with 110 captains and their crews competing for the kingfish prize. This year, NSFA eliminated the small boat division and implemented a 3 mile from the beach eastern boundary so that all kingfish competitors had an equal opportunity to find the prize fish. With the beginning of the fall mullet run, the kingfish were on the beach and 50 teams were able to take advantage, bringing fish to the scales.  

Congratulations to our winning team on Tak’n The Bait captained by Justin Hammons with a 47.7# fish.

NSFA also had 24 crews competing in the rodeo tournament targeting Redfish, Sea Trout, Flounder, and Sheepshead. Despite the high temperatures of the day and the corresponding high water temperatures, our competitors were able to coax some fine catches with 2 teams weighing in the local Slam of Redfish, Trout, and Flounder on the same day. Not an easy feat on such a warm day.

Congratulations to our winning captains:

• Redfish, Devin Durance, 6.92

• Trout, Brad Ecklof, 5.98

• Flounder, Austin Stallard, 3.4

• Redfish Spots, Ken McKuhen,5

• Sheepshead,Tom Riley,4.64

In addition to the cash and prizes, A Torium 40PG Reel donated by Renn Works Outdoor, a 2 night stay at Omni Hotel, with valet parking and breakfast donated by Omni Hotes and Resorts and 4 gift cards to Southern Coast Seafood donated by Lewis Joseph were all raffled off after the awards. A rod and reel combo, donated by Amelia Bait and Tackle was awarded for the redfish with the most spots and a Torium Reel and Star rod combo donated by Jax Drains and Resellers Reef was awarded for the kingfish closest to the Mystery Weight of 17.7 lbs. Captain Chris Eason of Max Effort  won the $1,000 traveler award for the biggest kingfish staying in a preferred hotel. 

Many thanks to our event sponsors and partners, The city of Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island Tourist Development, and the Southern Kingfish Association. We would also like to thank all our generous sponsors, particularly our platinum sponsors, NEFL Sales and Budwiser, the Fernandina Beach NewsLeader, Key West Ocean Outboard Marine, Ameris Bank, and Dave Turner Plumbing. Because of them, NSFA is able to continue our tradition of giving back by funding and awarding the NSFA Merit Scholarships and contributing to other charitable organizations supporting the youth of Nassau County. Please visit our 2023 Sponsors on our Sponsor Page.

We would like to also thank all of the Nassau Sport Fishing Association's tireless Volunteers that endured the crazy heat this year to make this tournament happen.

Thanks to SolarisFoto for photographing our entire tournament and to Coastal Media Marketing for providing our social media support. We would also like to thank our MC Rick Ryals for another great year. Thank you to the Hampton Inn Downtown, the Marriott Courtyard, and the Residence Inn by Marriott for being our preferred hotels and providing our tournament guests with discounted accommodations. Thanks to Reel Thirsty Ice for being the official Ice vendor of the NSFA Kingfish Tournament. And, so many others. Thanks to everyone involved.

And One More, Thanks to all of the Anglers that fished our tournament this year and we hope to see everyone next year.

The official results along with tournament photos are posted on our website and on our Nassau Sport Fishing Association Facebook page.

For More Details and to Register Online visit:

www.nsfarodeo.com

Pick up your Boat Number Friday August 11^th from 3 to 7 PM 

 Mandantory Captian’s Meeting at 7 PM at Fernandina Harbor Marina

Special Redfish Spot Award Presented by Amelia Island Bait and Tackle