Fishing Equipment Program

Mission: Provide support to groups teaching people, especially children, about Florida fish, aquatic habitats and resource stewardship.

Program Summary

Fish Florida's Fishing Equipment Donation Program assists organizations that teach fishing and conservation in Florida by providing fishing equipment donations. It is a REQUIREMENT that your program provide angling instruction to the participants.

Equipment Provided

• One rod and reel per participant
• Up to 50 rods and reels per one-day event
• Up to 100 rods and reels per multi-day event
• Subject to inventory availability
• For programs with over 400 participants or when full equipment needs cannot be met, Fish Florida can provide sources for purchasing additional fishing equipment
• Equipment supplies are limited

Eligible Activities

• Fishing and conservation education programs
• Kids' fishing clinics
• Hands-on angling activities
• Programs teaching responsible angling

Evaluation Priorities

Fish Florida prioritizes programs by the following:

• Quality of the education program
• Fishing opportunity and hands-on activities
• Benefit to children and inexperienced anglers
• Opportunity offered to underprivileged user groups
• Previous experience of your organization
• Community support
• Financial need
• Number of participants

What Equipment Cannot Be Used For

• Fishing equipment may NOT be used as prizes or promotional items for events

Requirements

• Fishing education must be part of your event
• Submit one letter of recommendation/reference
• Email completed application AND mail 16 hard copies (no staples, three-hole punched)
• Fishing equipment will only be shipped to a business address
• Promote Fish Florida at your event:
  • Include Fish Florida's logo on websites, press releases, and brochures
  • Display banner
  • Distribute rack cards
• Submit a post-event report with photos after your event

Reference Example

For an example of a kids' fishing clinic recognized by Fish Florida, see the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Kids' Fishing Clinic protocol at http://myfwc.com/media/149246/KFC_Protocol.pdf

Contact Information

(727) 677-8127

Contact Fish Florida if uncertain whether your event qualifies, if you have questions about the program, or if you have problems completing the application form.

Required Materials

1. Completed Fishing Program Application Form - download from website
2. One Letter of Recommendation/Reference
3. Link to your organization's website
4. Application Submission:
   • Email completed application to Fish Florida
   • AND mail 16 hard copies to Fish Florida address below

Formatting Requirements

• 16 hard copies required
• No staples
• Three-hole punched
• Mail to Fish Florida address (see below)

Submission Instructions

Email your completed application to Fish Florida AND mail hard copies to:

Fish Florida
PO Box 1149
Oldsmar, FL 34677
(727) 677-8127

Review and Notification Process

1. After receiving your application, Fish Florida will review it for completeness
2. Fish Florida Board of Directors will vote on your application
3. You will be notified as outlined in the application materials

Post-Award Requirements

• Promote Fish Florida at your event:
  • Include Fish Florida's logo on websites, press releases, and brochures
  • Display banner at event
  • Distribute rack cards
• Submit a post-event report with photos after your event completes
• Important: Fishing equipment will only be shipped to a business address