Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, an undersized or out of season fish can qualify, as long as they are promptly and safely released and not harvested. This must be supported by the submitted photos.
No, the Small Fry Grand Slam is only available to anglers 15 years of age and under at time of submission.
Yes, any child that has caught their own fish may submit entries to any Catch a Florida Memory programs.
No, as long as you are legally fishing in Florida (e.g. with an out-of-state license, or are covered under another’s license such as a charter or licensed pier or dock) your catches are eligible for the Catch a Florida Memory program.
Fish must be caught in Florida State waters, in federal waters extending directly outward of Florida state line boundaries, or landed in Florida.
Yes, as long as you are using new catches that have not previously been used in that category, you may apply for the same Grand Slam category multiple times. You may apply for Saltwater Reel Big Fish tiers and Grand Slam Club tiers with new catches that have not previously been entered once every 10 years.
No, both TrophyCatch and BigCatch are for freshwater fish only, while the Catch a Florida Memory programs are for saltwater fish only. The Catch a Florida Memory programs encourage anglers to diversify their catch and compete against themselves, rather than against other anglers, for prizes.
The main goal of the Catch a Florida Memory program is to encourage anglers to target a diversity of species, therefore reducing fishing pressure on the most commonly sought-after catches. Fisheries data collected from the Catch a Florida Memory program is not formally reviewed for use in any official assessments or law making purposes at this time, but it is possible that it could be used supplementally to inform future decisions.
Yes, by submitting a photo to the Catch a Florida Memory Program you give FWC permission to use that photo in any FWC publications, articles, social media, presentations or on the website.
These saltwater programs are funded in part by the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Program, donations through the Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida and business partnerships. To find out how you can donate or become a partner, contact AnglerRecognition@MyFWC.com.
Yes, as long as the required photos and documentation are provided, any past catches that meet the requirements are eligible.
Yes, as long as it meets the requirements for each category, the same fish can qualify for the Life List, Reel Big Fish and multiple Grand Slams simultaneously.
As long as there is proof that the submitted fish were caught within a 24-hour period they will qualify for a Grand Slam, even if they were caught on different days.
Yes, in order to ensure the integrity of the program and its entries we require the applicant angler to be clearly visible in the photo with the submitted fish. However all submitted catches are subject to staff discretion for approvals.
No, only individual anglers are eligible for the Catch a Florida Memory programs.
Tarpon are not included in Saltwater Reel Big Fish because we do not want to promote handling tarpon any more than is necessary, including measuring. It is unlawful to remove tarpon over 40 inches from the water. In the interest of protecting both the resource and our anglers, we don’t want to create any potential situation that might encourage more anglers to remove tarpon from the water or handle them in an unsafe way that could result in harm to either the fish or the angler. We agree that catching a tarpon is a great Florida fishing memory, and as such they are part of both the Life List and Grand Slams where they can qualify for recognition but do not need to be measured.
There is nothing extra that you need to do to be entered into the Catch a Florida Memory monthly raffle. Participants are automatically entered each time they reach an achievement.
Anglers automatically become members of the Triple Threat Club once they have participated in all three Catch a Florida Memory programs (Saltwater Grand Slams, Saltwater Fish Life List and Saltwater Reel Big Fish). There is nothing additional anglers need to do to apply for the Triple Threat Club. Anglers will be notified when they become club members and they will be listed on the Triple Threat Club Members page.
Digital certificates are awarded for Reel Big Fish Honorable Mentions (qualifying Reel Big Fish submissions that are missing the required measurement photo) and for reaching 20, 40 and 60 fish on your Saltwater Fish Life List. Digital certificates are sent via email to the email address on file for the angler. Prize packages do not accompany digital certificates.
Yes. Anglers may receive up to 10 prize packages per calendar year for the same recognition, such as 10 of a particular Grand Slam or 10 of a particular Reel Big Fish species. After this threshold, anglers will receive certificates and website level recognition, but will not receive a prize package for those recognitions. Once a new calendar year begins, the count to reach the 10 recognition threshold starts over again.