January 2026 Social

We have a great way to start the New Year! Join CFSA to kick things off with a fresh fish dinner from Bill Kosiba, an update from Matt Bunting of FWC on the EFP Program and Red Snapper management, and a presentation from Nick Haddad of the UF Sea Grant Program, also known as “Return ’Em Right.”

Don’t forget that our membership drive is happening now. Bring in a new member and receive a raffle ticket for a Daiwa Sea Power 800 electric reel and Live Bottom bent butt rod. See details below.

CFSA monthly socials are always free and open to the public. We hope to see you there.

Back by popular demand, Bill Kosiba will once again be cooking fish for everyone to enjoy during this month’s social. Be sure to thank Bill for volunteering his time and effort to cook for us.

Matt Bunting from FWC will be discussing the Red Snapper Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) project and the State of Florida’s proposal to manage Atlantic Red Snapper. FWC’s EFP projects collect improved data and test new, innovative approaches to managing the South Atlantic Red Snapper fishery. The goals of these projects are to collaborate with recreational anglers, provide better catch and discard data, and test a snapper-grouper aggregate bag limit. This presentation will review the EFP program, Red Snapper data collected to date, and the State of Florida’s proposal to take over management of Atlantic Red Snapper.

Matt Bunting

Federal Fisheries Section

Northeast Florida Regional Biologist

Division of Marine Fisheries Management

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Matt is originally from southeast Florida and is an avid outdoorsman, which led him to pursue a career in this field. He likes to say he is a fisherman first and a biologist second. Matt has worked with FWC for 10 years, primarily in research roles and more recently with the Division of Marine Fisheries Management. He earned his undergraduate degree in Marine Science from Florida Gulf Coast University and completed his master’s degree at the University of Florida, where he studied juvenile tarpon. His current position is Regional Biologist for Northeast Florida, based out of Jacksonville, working in the Federal Fisheries Section of the Division of Marine Fisheries Management.

Nick Haddad represents the UF Sea Grant “Return ’Em Right” program. Nick grew up in Pennsylvania, where he developed a passion for fishing and the outdoors at a young age. He is currently the Sustainable Fisheries Communications Manager for Florida Sea Grant and Return ’Em Right. The Return ’Em Right program provides free training and gear to improve the survival of released reef fish. Nick previously served as the Angler Recognition Coordinator for the International Game Fish Association (IGFA). With over 25 years of angling experience, fishing remains central to his life.

New Member Drive

Bring in a new member and earn a chance to win a Daiwa Sea Power 800 electric reel and matching rod combo.

• For each new member you recruit to join CFSA, you will receive one raffle ticket for the electric rod and reel combination.
  
• Join here: https://www.mycfoa.com/products/Join-CFOA
  
• The new member must join CFSA on or before the January Social on January 20th.
  
• The new member must list your name in the “Referred By” section of the membership application.
  
• The electric rod and reel combo will be raffled off at the January Social on Tuesday, January 20th.
  

Don’t forget to renew your 2026 CFSA membership:

https://www.mycfoa.com/renew

Schedule

6:30 PM – Member discussions

7:00 PM – Program begins

Monthly raffle featuring great prizes, including premium rod and reel combos.

Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20.

Bring a guest and receive a free raffle ticket.

When:

Tuesday, January 20th, 2025 at 6:30 PM

Note: Mud Hole Tackle Center has expanded its offerings. Come early and browse the updated tackle center.