Newsletter: This month’s newsletter is being mailed & e-mailed. E-mail newsletters have been sent to all members who have indicated that they wanted e-mailed newsletters. If you receive the mailed version and rather have the e-mail please let us know. We are concerned that the e-mail version may be the reason for poor attendance at the last several meetings. Those that did not attend missed some great speakers and good food as well as missing out on the $100 drawing. We want your feedback so please let us know if you want a hard copy mailed or the e-mail version. We will take your comments at the meetings, by e-mail (editor@acgfa.com) or phone call to a board member or to me. (Jim Blalock 904-501-1447).

Our Next Meeting is Tuesday, January 19th at the St. Augustine Shrine Club, 250 1st St. A map is available at acgfa.com. Our meetings are on the 3rd Tuesday of each month unless notified otherwise. The Shriners have a very nice facility overlooking Moultrie Creek. They have adequate parking across from the building. Owner and captain of Jodie Lynn Sport Fishing Charters Robert Johnson is scheduled to be our speaker. Jimmy Tedder will provide snacks

Christmas Party: Anyone that missed the party missed a great time. There were many members, children and guests there, and, of course Santa and Mrs. Claus. Many thanks to Harry and Marie Frantz and to Stephanie Burt, Donna Frantz, and their helpers for making Santa’s visit a great time for the children (young and old). Thanks to Joel Cunningham, James Manucy & Jim Blalock and crew for the hams and turkeys (smoked & fried). Thanks also to all who brought covered dishes and desserts, they were delicious. The Shrine Club looked great. Thanks to the Shriners who furnished the Christmas Tree and to Ruth Jordan, Entertainment Chairperson, the decorating committee and kitchen crew for their hard work. Thanks also to Truett Yarborough who provided the D.J. and music and Robert Olsen who handled the “Basket of Cheer” Raffle.

Raffle: Rusty Russell won the “Basket of Cheer”. Chip & Tammie Whitfield had a great raffle with some very nice items. Winners were: Ronnie Lyles (4 times), Herbie Partin, Cameron McWhorter, Taylor Preston, Richard Bonardi, Carmen Tedder, Scott Shank, Tom Robertson, Savannah McWhorter, Taylor Krupenbacher, Colton McWhorter, Cathy Anthony, Tammie Whitfield. Proceeds from the Basket of Cheer and Raffle ($400) will be donated to the Shrine Club for their Burn Hospitals. Great job Chip & Tammie! Be there for next raffle.

Membership Drawing: At the Christmas Party, the $300 winners were Harold & Nancy Wishard. There were several names drawn (David & Angela Ashton, Shawn Arnold, Earl & Cecilia Remy, James & Gerogette Gessells) who were not there (shame on you). It pays to attend the meetings and parties. Be at the next meeting for the $100 drawing. You must be present to win!

Membership Information: Membership year is June 1st thru May 31st. Dues are $50.00 for a family and $30.00 for individual memberships. After December 1st, new members can join for the remainder of the year for ½ price. Membership forms are also available on the web site (acgfa.com). Guests are always welcome.

Young Anglers Club: Terrell Jones and Ereck Brown have volunteered to conduct the Young Angler Club at the January meeting. We need volunteer(s) for February. Santa took care of December for us. If needed, Donna Frantz will provide the materials and agenda. The young anglers are really enjoying this activity

Club Shirts, Etc.: Eric & Amanda are doing a great job. They have new Adult and Children items including caps and t-shirts. Check them out.

2010 Club Activities Calendar: Copy attached. The next Board Meeting will be Thursday, January 28^th starting at 7:00 p.m. at the Shrine Club. All Board and Committee Meetings are open to our membership. Your support is welcomed.

December Angler-of-the-Month: Ron Keiser There were only 9 entry cards from two anglers this month. There were 6 species of fish entered. Congratulations to December Angler-of-the-Month Ron Keiser . Ron caught a 28.20 lb Amberjack (2nd place Men’s & Largest of the month), a 2.20 lb Black Sea Bass (3rd place Men’s & Largest of the month), a 33.00 lb Grouper (Black & Gag) (1st place Men’s & Largest of the month), 8.80 lb & 8.00 lb Red Snapper (1st & 2nd largest of the month), and 5.00 lb, 3.80 lb & 3.60 lb Triggerfish (1st & 4th place Men’s & 1st & 2nd largest of the month) for a total of 1,000 points. Great job Ron.. Catches include cards received from November 22nd thru December 27^th. Cards received after December 27th.will count for the January Angler-of-the-Month. See the complete list of cards turned-in attached. Remember, Angler-of-the-Month is awarded 100 bonus points which count toward the Angler-of-the-Year.

New Snapper-Grouper Regulations for the South Atlantic. (For areas three to 200 miles off the coasts of NC, SC, GA, and East Florida) For Regulations by Species for fish managed by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council go to: http://www.safmc.net/FishIDandRegs/RegulationsbySpecies/tabid/248/Default.aspx It appears that the State of Florida will follow the Federal Regulations as they have in the past.

1. Effective January 1, 2010, establishes a January-April prohibition on recreational and commercial harvest of shallow water Grouper species including Gag, Black grouper, Red grouper, Scamp, Rock Hind, Red Hind, Coney, Graysby, Yellowfin grouper, Yellowmouth grouper, and Tiger grouper.

2. Establishes a November 1st –March 31st prohibition on recreational harvest of Vermilion Snapper.
3. Effective January 4, 2010, establishes prohibition on recreational and commercial harvest of Red Snapper for 180 days in federal waters off Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. The interim rule will be effective until June 2, 2010, and could be extended for another 186-day period.

Unless we receive cards with catches prior to 1 & 4 Jan, the Snapper and Grouper Categories are finished for 09-10.

President’s Message:

Hi folks! Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! I appreciated the food, fun, and company at our ACGFA Christmas Party last month. Having Santa & Mrs Claus was great for our kids. I hope all the families and children continue to come to the meetings. We're striving to make it fun for everyone. Let us know if there's something you'd like to hear or see in future meetings. We should have Robert Johnson of Jodie Lynn Charters coming this month and speaking about the new snapper regulations, and what it will mean to our fishing. I know the weather hasn't been the greatest to go fishing, but hopefully you'll get out there. See you on the water and at the next meeting!

Hit the water and crank 'em up! - Capt. Joel

ACGFA Year-end Tournament Standings

Conservation Award: For complete information (Click here)

Angler-of-the-Year: Inshore and Offshore:

Inshore: For complete information (Click here) Offshore: For complete information (Click here)

Boat-of-the-Year: Inshore and Offshore:

Inshore: For complete information (Click here) Offshore: For complete information (Click here)