Gainesville Offshore Fishing Club

2026 GOFC Spring Tournament
Saturday, June 6th, 2026
Register at:
https://gofc.us/tourney-stats/tournament-registration/

What is the Spring Tournament?
The annual GOFC Spring Tournament is often referred to as the "Big 10 Tournament" because all 10 of the club's main target species may be entered in the tournament. This year Gag grouper will not be in season, but any grouper species that can be legally harvested may be entered including Red Grouper.

This year cash prizes will be awarded for the three largest fish in each of the 10 species categories. The adult and youth (15 or younger) angler that enters fish in the most categories will be named the Master Angler and will receive a special plaque at the next annual awards banquet.

This tournament is free and open to all club members in good standing. All individuals participating in the tournament do so at their own risk and must have a current waiver of liability on file with GOFC. All captains must register for the tournament using the link above no later than 7:30 pm the night before the tournament.

Non-member guests are invited to participate in the tournament with the following strictly enforced requirements:

Participating guests must complete a waiver of liability via the GOFC website no later than 7:30 pm the night before the tournament. The waiver of liability can be found on this page: https://gofc.us/join-now/
Participating guests must be included in the list of passengers submitted by the captain when they register their boat.
Participating guests must pay a $30 tournament fee in cash to the Tournament Director at the official weigh in. The payer will be responsible for providing correct change. If the guest wishes to join the club (within 30 days) the $30 will be applied to your membership!
When is it?
Date: Saturday, June 6th, 2026. Members may fish from any port in our home waters
Start Time: Safelight
Weigh in: 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm at Slaughterhouse Restaurant in Rosewood just inland from Cedar Key on SR 24.
Weather Dates: Sunday, June 7th or Saturday, June 13th

The Tournament Director will monitor the marine weather forecast and make the go/no-go decision the evening before the tournament. The decision will be announced via email no later than 7:00 pm that night. Individual captains must also monitor the forecasts and make their own determination regarding their vessel's sea worthiness given the expected conditions.

Anyone who registers for the tournament but ends up either not going out or decides to skip the weigh-in is asked to call or text a member of the Tournament committee, either John Patrick at (352) 464-0825 or Dale Reed at (352) 215-5295, so we can be sure that everyone makes it back to shore safely.

Anglers must be standing in line to have their fish weighed by 6:30 pm to be eligible. The cut-off time will be strictly enforced, so please don't wait until the last minute to start heading in.

Where is it?
Contestants may depart from any port in the Club's home waters. The weigh-in will be held at Slaughterhouse Seafood. Members are encouraged to patronize Slaughterhouse Seafood Restaurant to thank them for them hosting the weigh-in.

Slaughterhouse Seafood Restaurant
6991 SR-24
Cedar Key, Florida 32625

Tournament Details
Tournament Directors: John Patrick (352) 464-0825 or Dale Reed (352) 215-5295

Prizes:

Master Angler Award: The angler that enters the most species will be declared the Master Angler for 2025 and will receive a special plaque at the next annual awards banquet.

Youth Master Angler Award: The angler aged 15 or younger who enters the most species will be declared the Youth Master Angler for 2025

Prizes will also be awarded for each of the "Big 10" species based on weight as follows:
Heaviest Redfish
1st Place: $100
2nd Place: $75
3rd Place: $50
Heaviest Seatrout
1st Place: $100
2nd Place: $75
3rd Place: $50
Heaviest Flounder
1st Place: $100
2nd Place: $75
3rd Place: $50
Heaviest Mangrove Snapper
1st Place: $100
2nd Place: $75
3rd Place: $50
Heaviest Spanish Mackerel
1st Place: $100
2nd Place: $75
3rd Place: $50
Heaviest Grouper
(no gags!)
1st Place: $100
2nd Place: $75
3rd Place: $50
Heaviest King Mackerel
1st Place: $100
2nd Place: $75
3rd Place: $50
Heaviest Cobia
1st Place: $100
2nd Place: $75
3rd Place: $50
Heaviest Sheepshead
1st Place: $100
2nd Place: $75
3rd Place: $50
Heaviest Bluefish
1st Place: $100
2nd Place: $75
3rd Place: $50
Only one prize will be awarded per angler in each species category. Ties for the heaviest fish will be decided by time of entry with the earliest entry prevailing. Ties for the Master Angler award will be decided using the Ellett Award scoring system. Interpretation of the tournament rules shall be at the sole discretion of the Tournament Director and committee.

Official Club Rules: https://gofc.us/rules/

Rules - Gainesville Offshore Fishing Club Gainesville Offshore Fishing Club Rules and Regulations Approved by the GOFC Board of Directors on December 05, 2023 General Statements and Regulations All club members are responsible for their safety and the safety of their boat and passengers. Members must determine the conditions under which t....

We had an amazing night learning more about the CCA and how they operate, lots of information on the new STAR tournament for kids and also how Leiza Fitzgerald the CHARTER CAPTAIN works her magic…  very informative and inspirational presentation.

GOFC Meeting is Tonight, Tuesday, May 26th at 7:30 PM

NEXT MEETING May 26th, 2026…..We are delighted to welcome back a favorite presenter at our meetings, Captain Leiza Fitzgerald from CCA! Leiza will be updating us on the latest activities and initiatives that CCA is working on for us as Florida anglers and of course we expect to hear about some hot techniques and tips she can offer to help us all target our favorite inshore species! Leiza will also be talking about the Annual CCA star Tournament which has a focus on our youth anglers this year!

Here is more information on Leiza:

Leiza Fitzgerald is a professional saltwater angler, guide, and conservationist. She has been named one of the most influential women in fishing my multiple publications, she won numerous top angler titles while fishing in competitive events including the ESPN Redfish Cup and the FLW Redfish Tour, and she has worked tirelessly to support the conservation of Florida's marine fisheries and the CCA. In 2022 she became the first angler to be inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of fame.

Meeting Date and Time:
Tuesday, May 26th, 2026
The doors will open for fellowship at 7 PM.
The meeting will begin at 7:30 PM.

Location:
Thanks to the generosity of The Best Restoration in Gainesville, The GOFC is having our meeting at their new location at 6933 NW 4th Blvd. This is just off Tower Road NEXT TO the Home Depot.

There will also be pizza, a rod and reel raffle prize, door prizes, and drinks! We'll see you there!
Now’s a good time to renew your GOFC Membership for 2026!
It’s as easy than ever! Just go to the “Join now!” tab on the
GOFC website. (http://www.gofc.us/wp/join-now/)
Then fill out the form online and pay using PayPal, or you can pay Debby at the monthly meetings!

Join or Renew Now! - Gainesville Offshore Fishing Club Benefits of membership...Receive 12 Acute Angler Newsletters (click to see past issues)Participate in GOFC tournaments and events (About Events | Calendar)Receive a $10.00 Sea Tow discount on yearly membershipsReceive 5% off sporting goods at Alachua Farm & LumberReceive 10% off from any servic...

We had an amazing meeting with the owner of Unfair lures, Paul Van Reenen. The turnout was incredible, and we all learned a lot about the process and the innovations of Unfair lures.  Paul was a great speaker and told us several interesting stories and about all of the different species that he has caught with the Unfair lures worldwide. 

The next general meeting of the Gainesville Offshore Fishing Club tonight! Tuesday, April 28th, 2026.
Featured Speaker: Paul van Reenen

We are delighted to welcome back a favorite presenter at our meetings, Paul van Reenen, the owner and founder of Unfair Lures! Paul will share the latest on lure design and what techniques and tips he can offer to help us all catch bigger and more of our favorite species! As a bonus Paul is bringing samples of his lures as giveaways for our members!

Here is more information on Paul and his company:

"At Unfair Lures, innovation meets passion for fishing. Founded by Paul van Reenen, a lure designer extraordinaire, we’re dedicated to crafting lures that mimic live bait with unmatched realism—down to their appearance, movement, and behavior. Our commitment to research and design ensures every product enhances your fishing experience, whether you’re a seasoned angler or just starting out. Explore our collection of groundbreaking lures and discover the unfair advantage that helps you reel in the big ones".

Meeting Date and Time:
Tuesday, April 28th, 2026
The doors will open for fellowship at 7 PM.
The meeting will begin at 7:30 PM.

Location:
Thanks to the generosity of The Best Restoration in Gainesville, The GOFC is having our meeting at their new location at 6933 NW 4th Blvd. This is just off Tower Road NEXT TO the Home Depot.

There will also be pizza, a rod and reel raffle prize, door prizes, and drinks! We'll see you there!
Now’s a good time to renew your GOFC Membership for 2026!
It’s as easy than ever! Just go to the “Join now!” tab on the
GOFC website. (http://www.gofc.us/wp/join-now/)
Then fill out the form online and pay using PayPal, or you can pay Debby at the monthly meetings!

Join or Renew Now! - Gainesville Offshore Fishing Club Benefits of membership...Receive 12 Acute Angler Newsletters (click to see past issues)Participate in GOFC tournaments and events (About Events | Calendar)Receive a $10.00 Sea Tow discount on yearly membershipsReceive 5% off sporting goods at Alachua Farm & LumberReceive 10% off from any servic...

The next general meeting of the Gainesville Offshore Fishing Club will be held on Tuesday, April 28th, 2026.
Featured Speaker: Paul van Reenen

We are delighted to welcome back a favorite presenter at our meetings, Paul van Reenen, the owner and founder of Unfair Lures! Paul will share the latest on lure design and what techniques and tips he can offer to help us all catch bigger and more of our favorite species!

Here is more information on Paul and his company:

"At Unfair Lures, innovation meets passion for fishing. Founded by Paul van Reenen, a lure designer extraordinaire, we’re dedicated to crafting lures that mimic live bait with unmatched realism—down to their appearance, movement, and behavior. Our commitment to research and design ensures every product enhances your fishing experience, whether you’re a seasoned angler or just starting out. Explore our collection of groundbreaking lures and discover the unfair advantage that helps you reel in the big ones".

Meeting Date and Time:
Tuesday, April 28th, 2026
The doors will open for fellowship at 7 PM.
The meeting will begin at 7:30 PM.

Location:
Thanks to the generosity of The Best Restoration in Gainesville, The GOFC is having our meeting at their new location at 6933 NW 4th Blvd. This is just off Tower Road NEXT TO the Home Depot.

There will also be pizza, a rod and reel raffle prize, door prizes, and drinks! We'll see you there!
Now’s a good time to renew your GOFC Membership for 2026!
It’s as easy than ever! Just go to the “Join now!” tab on the
GOFC website. (http://www.gofc.us/wp/join-now/)
Then fill out the form online and pay using PayPal, or you can pay Debby at the monthly meetings!

Join or Renew Now! - Gainesville Offshore Fishing Club Benefits of membership...Receive 12 Acute Angler Newsletters (click to see past issues)Participate in GOFC tournaments and events (About Events | Calendar)Receive a $10.00 Sea Tow discount on yearly membershipsReceive 5% off sporting goods at Alachua Farm & LumberReceive 10% off from any servic...

The 2026 GOFC Cobiathon/MackAttack
Tournament will be held Saturday, April 25th in All Club Waters
Register at:
https://gofc.us/tourney-stats/tournament-registration/
What is it?
As spring transitions into summer, the waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico warm up bringing cobia and mackerel back to our home waters following their winter retreat. That means it's time for GOFC's annual Cobiathon/MackAttack Tournament! Grab your wire leaders and join us on the water for some high-speed toothy fun!

This tournament is free and open to all club members in good standing. All individuals participating in the tournament do so at their own risk and must have a current waiver of liability on file with GOFC. All captains must register for the tournament using the link above no later than 7:30 pm the night before the tournament.

Non-member guests are invited to participate in the tournament with the following strictly enforced requirements:

Participating guests must complete a waiver of liability via the GOFC website no later than 7:30 pm the night before the tournament. The waiver of liability can be found on this page: https://gofc.us/join-now/
Participating guests must be included in the list of passengers submitted by the captain when they register their boat.
Participating guests must pay a $30 tournament fee in cash to the Tournament Director at the official weigh-in. The payer will be responsible for providing correct change. If the guest decides to join the club that $30 fee will be applied to the yearly dues!
Heaviest Spanish Mackerel
1st Place: $125
2nd Place: $100
3rd Place: $75
4th Place: $50
5th Place: $25

Bonus of $50 for first Spanish entered or over 5lbs can be added to 1st Place money prize.

Heaviest King Mackerel
1st Place: $125
2nd Place: $100
3rd Place: $75

Bonus for 1st King Mackerel entered weighing 25.0 lbs or greater $50. It can be added to 1st Place money prize.
Heaviest Cobia
1st Place: $150
2nd Place: $125
3rd Place: $75
YOUTH SPANISH MACK TOURNAMENT

Spanish Mackerel
1st Place $75 Walmart Gift Card
2nd Place $50 Walmart Gift Card
3rd Place $25 Walmart Gift Card

$50 Bonus for 1st Legal Youth Cobia $50 Bonus for 1st Legal Youth King

*In accordance with official club rules, anglers are considered a youth for contest purposes through the calendar year they turn 15.
Register at:
https://gofc.us/tourney-stats/tournament-registration/
When is it?
Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
Start Time: Safelight
Weigh in: 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Bett's Big T Restaurant in Chiefland, FL
Weather Dates: Sunday, April 26th and Saturday, May 2nd

The Tournament Director and committee will monitor the marine weather forecast and make the go/no-go decision the evening before the tournament. The decision will be announced via email no later than 7:00 pm that night. Individual captains must also monitor the forecasts and make their own determination regarding their vessel's sea worthiness given the expected conditions.

Anyone who registers for the tournament but ends up either not going out or decides to skip the weigh-in is asked to notify John Patrick (352) 464-0825 by phone or text message so we can be sure that everyone makes it back to shore safely.

Interpretation of the tournament rules shall be at the sole discretion of the Tournament Director.
Time of weigh-in in all categories determines ties.

Official Club Rules: https://gofc.us/rules/

Where is it?

The weigh-in will be held from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Bett's Big T Restaurant in Chiefland, FL. Anglers must be standing in line to have their fish weighed by 5:59 pm to be eligible. The cut-off time will be strictly enforced, so please don't wait until the last minute to start heading in.

Members are encouraged to stick around and patronize Bett's Big T in thanks for them hosting the weigh-in. The restaurant is fantastic.

Rules - Gainesville Offshore Fishing Club Gainesville Offshore Fishing Club Rules and Regulations Approved by the GOFC Board of Directors on December 05, 2023 General Statements and Regulations All club members are responsible for their safety and the safety of their boat and passengers. Members must determine the conditions under which t....

This is a fantastic tournament coming up April 18, 2026…It benefits the Child Advocacy center at Sea Hag Marina in Steinhatchee 🐟🎣☀️

A fantastic turnout to listen to Mike Alan from the biological station in Cedar Key speak about grouper, red snapper and a few other species. MIKE is amazing! And is also now on the gulf council… MIKE gave us a lot of quality information about some of the species and how things will unfold this year, very informative. GOFC.US