Author: Al Keller
Hell’s Bay Boatworks Owners Event
Join us at the Plantation on Crystal River
This year we will be hosting our Owner’s Tournament during November 3rd, 4th, 5th, 2023 on Florida’s Nature Coast at the Plantation on Crystal River. The Plantation on Crystal River is located at 9301 West Fort Island Trail, Crystal River, FL 34429.
Plantation on Crystal River is known for its great fishing while being surrounded by lush Florida nature and thriving wildlife, adding to an eco-friendly getaway that sets itself apart from any other.
This year’s individual registration ($175.00) includes 1 entry to the weekend events, 1 event shirt and 1 dinner ticket. You can purchase additional event shirts and dinner tickets.
We’ll kick off this exciting fun-filled two-day event on Friday the 3rd with a welcome gathering that includes refreshing cocktails and appetizers. Afterward, the captain’s meeting will be held to go over the tournament rules and any questions.
- Friday 3rd- 4pm – 6pm Captain’s Meeting with drinks and appetizers
- Saturday 4th- Fishing 7am – 3pm, Check-in then on your own to enjoy local hospitality
- Sunday 5th Fishing 7am – 3pm, Check-in 6pm Dinner and Awards Ceremony
David Wirth will be creating the awards this year displaying his unique design and artistry.
The resort offers a boat ramp with trailer parking exclusively for its guests, and slips available at the resort for those wishing to keep their boat in the water. We have arranged a special rate with the Plantation on Crystal River on a block of rooms.
Click the link below or copy and paste into your browser below to book rooms at the Plantation.
https://www.choicehotels.com/reservations/groups/WI08Q5
Basic Itinerary for Weekend
Friday – Nov. 3rd, 2023
4:00pm – 6:00pm Welcome & Owners Event Registration
6:00pm – Cocktails, Appetizers & Captains Meeting
Saturday- Nov. 4th, 2023
6:00 – 7:00 am HB Tournament Team Check-in
7:00 am – Lines in
3:00 pm – Lines out
3:00 pm – 5:00 pm Team Check-in and Scoring
5:30pm Plantation Boat Sunset River Cruise w/Beverages
On your own to enjoy local hospitality for Dinner
Sunday- Nov. 5th, 2023
6:00 – 7:00 am HB Tournament Team Check-in
7:00 am – Lines in
3:00 pm – Lines out
3:00 pm – 5:00 pm Team Check-in and Scoring
6:00 pm Dinner and Awards Banquet
Ron DeSantis Reappoints Three Members of the St. Johns River Water Management District
At the end of last week, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the reappointment of Ryan Atwood, Ronald Howse, and Jon “Chris” Peterson to the St. Johns River Water Management District.
Atwood, of Mount Dora, is the Owner of Atwood Family Farms and H&A Farms. He is the former President of the Florida Blueberry Growers Association and serves on the Florida Fruits and Vegetable Association Board of Directors. Atwood earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration and his master’s degree in forest genetics from the University of Florida.
Howse, of Cocoa, is the President and Founder of Real Deal Development Group and HOWSECO, LLC. He currently serves on the Eastern Florida State College District Board of Trustees and the Florida Transportation Commission. Howse earned his bachelor’s degree in engineering from the University of Central Florida.
Peterson, of Winter Park, is the President of Hell’s Bay Boatworks, Inc. He is a board member of the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation and a legacy partner of Captains for Clean Water. Peterson earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Florida.
These appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
2023 Cowford Redfish Tournament
The Cowford is a tournament to highlight the pristine spartina estuaries of the Lower St. Johns River, now increasingly threatened by needless industrial expansion, sedimentation, over-development along the river’s banks and excess nutrient loading from a multitude of sources upstream.
The Cowford benefits the St. Johns Riverkeeper’s mission to sustain healthy ecosystems for future generations.
We hope that by participating in the Cowford, you too will develop a relationship to the estuaries of the Lower St. Johns and, regardless of origin, help to protect and preserve this incredible resource for generations to come.
Register Below
2023 Guide Rendezvous
Giving Back to the Guides Who Represent the Industry
It’s baaaaack… Join us for the 2023 Captains for Clean Water Guide Rendezvous! Gather together with the top fishing guides and brands in the industry for a few days of camaraderie, good food, cold drinks, and no shortage of “big fish” stories.
The schedule will be stacked with discussions led by industry and conservation professionals about growing your charter business and protecting the resources on which your business relies. Test your abilities against other guides in the infamous “Guide Games” and stock up on discounted products from sponsor brands during the Super Sale.
With three Florida events to choose from, there’s no excuse to miss out! Register below.
For any questions please contact Taylor at taylor@captainsforcleanwater.org.
Event Series
Captains for Clean Water is hosting three Guide Rendezvous events in 2023 around the state. You’re invited to attend as many as you like!
West Coast: Tarpon Lodge
Tuesday, September 12th
13771 Waterfront Dr, Bokeelia, FL 33922
East Coast: River Palm Cottages & Fish Camp
Thursday, September 14th
2325 NE Indian River Dr, Jensen Beach, FL 34957
Florida Keys: Angler House
Tuesday, September 19th
80500 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036
South Carolina Hell’s Bay Owners Event
Join us for the Hell’s Bay Boatworks Lowcountry Owner’s Tournament held in Charleston during September 22nd – 24th 2023. This year’s tournament kick-off party will be hosted at Rivers & Glen Trading Co. in Mt. Pleasant.
The shop is located at, 122 Coleman Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
Your individual tournament registration ($150.00) includes Friday night event, 1 tournament entry, 1 tournament bag and 1 Saturday night dinner ticket. You can purchase additional shirt and awards dinner tickets.
Follow Link Below to Register:
https://checkout.square.site/merchant/44J5TNJBC85XV/checkout/5TOROCUPNJL74FSJDIRIA4ET
We’ll kick off this exciting fun-filled event on Friday the 22nd around 5:00pm with the check-in party at Rivers & Glen Trading Co. We will have Special Ops Events handle our catering with a traditional oyster roast, appetizers and drinks. The captain’s meeting will be held at 6:00pm to go over the tournament rules and any questions.
Categories may include total 3 longest redfish, most spots, and maybe a Sheepshead on fly award. For those that only throw artificial and or fly, a multiplier will be factored in.
The tournament starts on Sunday morning of the 24rd. After the tournament fishing day we will conclude with celebratory drinks, catered dinner, and awards ceremony at the Sweetgrass Pavilion at Mt. Pleasant’s Waterfront Park. Located at 99 Harry M. Hallman Jr Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 294
If you have any questions, please email Al Keller at: al@hellsbayboatworks.com
Friday – September 22nd, 2023
5:00pm – 7:00pm Owners Check-in & Welcome Party at Rivers & Glen Trading Co., Mt. Pleasant
6:00pm – Captains Meeting- Rules & Questions
Sunday- September 24th, 2023
7:00 am – Lines in
3:00 pm – Lines out
3:00 pm – 5:00 pm Team Check-in and Scoring
6:00 – 8:00 pm Dinner and Awards Banquet at Sweetgrass Pavilion at Mt. Pleasant’s Waterfront Park
Coastal Days: Seagrass research with Florida Oceanographic Society
Since 2009, the Indian River Lagoon along Florida’s east coast has lost about 58% of its seagrasses, foundational habitat for the 150-mile Estuary of National Significance.
Without that essential seagrass, the treasured lagoon faces a challenging future, but restoring the grass is a lot more complicated than just replanting it.
Learn more about Florida Oceanographic Society’s hard work to restore seagrass habitat and water quality in our latest episode of Coastal Days.