The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is rolling out nine new Grand Slams Nov. 29, which is the last Saltwater License Free Fishing day of 2014. The requirement to have a saltwater recreational fishing license when fishing for saltwater species is waived for Florida residents and visitors on license-free fishing days.
Catch any of the new Saltwater Grand Slams on Nov. 29 and use #FWCSlam to share a photograph collage of your catches on Instagram or Twitter, and you could receive a prize bag filled with goodies for your next fishing trip.
“Rolling out the new Saltwater Grand Slam program on a License Free Fishing Day is just one more reason to get out there and explore all the wonderful fishing opportunities Florida has to offer,” said Nick Wiley, FWC executive director. “These challenges encourage new anglers to participate and give seasoned anglers an exciting goal to reach for.”
Grand Slams challenge anglers to catch three specific fish species in a 24-hour period. By encouraging anglers to target multiple species during fishing trips, the grand slam program entices anglers to learn more about Florida’s vast recreational fishing opportunities.
NEW CATEGORIES
•Inshore Grand Slam: red drum, spotted seatrout, flounder
•Family Slam: any three fish in the same family (example: red drum, black drum and spotted seatrout)
•Blue Water Slam: dolphinfish, sailfish, wahoo
•Florida Grand Slam: permit, tarpon, bonefish
•Shoreline Slam: sheepshead, kingfish(whiting), Florida pompano
•Reefs and Rubble Slam: black sea bass, gag, gray triggerfish
•Nearshore Slam: cobia, tripletail, king mackerel
•Bay and Estuary Slam: gray (mangrove) snapper, snook, Spanish mackerel
•Small Fry Slam (for children 15 and under): pinfish, grunt, catfish
Anglers who share their Grand Slam with us on Twitter or Instagram are also encouraged to submit their catch information to the official Grand Slam program.
For more information or to apply for a Grand Slam, visit MyFWC.com/Fishing and click on “Saltwater” and “Angler Recognition,” or send an email to AnglerRecognition@MyFWC.com.
All catches, past and present, are eligible as long as they can be documented. Successful anglers will receive a certificate signed by both the executive director of the FWC and the president of the International Game Fish Association, as well as a colorful shirt in recognition of their achievement. "Grand Slammers" may also be recognized on the FWC website, Facebook page or the Saltwater Regulations publication.
As always, the FWC encourages responsible angling. Remember proper fish handling techniques when fishing. Anglers do not have to harvest their fish to be eligible, and are encouraged to release their catches alive.
The next freshwater license-free fishing days are April 4 and 5. The next saltwater license-free fishing days are June 6 and 7. All bag limits, seasons and size restrictions apply on these dates.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Commission announces license-free fishing day, Grand Slam details