20th Annual CCA South Walton Banquet & Auction
Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025 • 6 p.m. • Point Washington Preserve, Santa Rosa Beach
The South Walton chapter of Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) Florida is rolling out the red carpet for its 20th Annual Banquet & Auction, a signature evening that blends coastal camaraderie with serious conservation impact. Set at Point Washington Preserve in Santa Rosa Beach, the event offers an upscale but welcoming atmosphere where anglers, families, businesses and community partners come together to support Florida’s marine resources.
CCA Florida is a membership-based nonprofit dedicated to conserving the state’s marine resources and ensuring healthy fisheries and angler access through habitat restoration, advocacy and education. Since 1985, the organization and its partners have completed dozens of artificial reef deployments and more than 100 habitat projects statewide, funded in large part by raffles, banquets and donations.
Locally, the South Walton chapter is one of CCA Florida’s most active, with 350-plus members hosting a kids fishing tournament each spring, a “Women on the Water” ladies fishing clinic and tournament in the fall, and more. The chapter also helped launch the South Walton Artificial Reef Association, which has deployed more than 600 reef pyramids and earned national attention for its underwater museum off these shores.
Individual tickets and tables for the Dec. 4 banquet and auction are available online; search “CCA South Walton Chapter Banquet & Auction” on Ticketstripe or visit ccaflorida.org and click on Events to reserve your spot.
Reeling in Success: Get Hook’d Academy Celebrates October Graduates
Families in our area found a standout opportunity recently when Get Hook’d Academy, a youth fishing program, led by L4K Charters and Capt. Rob Hansill and hosted by LJ Schooners Dockside Restaurant & Oyster Bar and Bluewater Bay Marina, welcomed young anglers. Under the leadership of Mate/Charter Captain Rob Hansill—a Marine Corps veteran—the academy welcomed students ages 7 to 12 for a four-week course of instruction and hands-on angling experience in October.
Each student was outfitted with a full kit of gear (including a Penn rod & reel, cast net, braided line, terminal tackle, hard and soft baits and essential tools) and engaged in instruction that covered: boating and dock safety, stewardship and conservation of local waters, rigging live bait, choosing lures, in-shore fishing tactics, maintenance of equipment, and sportsmanship. The program emphasized that hobbies such as fishing built confidence, community and a sense of belonging at an early age. Get Hook’d Academy operated as a nonprofit school whose motto was “Get HooK’d on fishing — Get HooK’d on life.”
The setting itself underscored the value of the experience: Bluewater Bay Marina offered the students a working waterfront with slip-access, a fuel dock and ship-store services, anchored by the popular LJ Schooners restaurant.
The session concluded on October 27, 2025 with a tournament and awards ceremony for graduates of the academy, which celebrated the students’ milestones and the year’s accomplishments.
“Biggest Fish” Winners:
1st Place, Parker Dionne; 2nd Place, Liam Davey; 3rd Place, Finn Carter
“Most Fish” Winners:
1st Place, Isabelle Stralka; 2nd Place, Ezra Barrow; 3rd Place, Ethan Hillyer
The academy expects to offer new dates for the 2026 season—families are encouraged to watch for upcoming announcements to secure a spot early.
Fishing News is brought to you by The Ships Chandler, a trusted name in Gulf Coast boating since 1980, serving Walton County in its Freeport location (17309 Highway 331 (32439). The 14-acre marine and service center provides top-quality fishing and pontoon boats, outboard motors and complete marine support for local boaters and anglers. This includes name brands such as Twin Vee, Cobia, Pathfinder, Maverick, Hewes and South Bay Pontoons; Bonafide fishing kayaks and LIVE standup paddleboards with accessories; Engine service and sales for Yamaha, Suzuki and Mercury outboards; Boat repair, detailing, gelcoat and custom marine work; and parts, accessories and electronics installation. Coming soon: 170 covered storage spaces for boats and RVs!
Open Mon–Fri: 7 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturday: 7 a.m.–noon; Sunday: Closed
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