This February, something BIG is coming to Tampa—and it’s powered by the entire Salt Strong community. On Saturday, February 21, 2026, Salt Strong Fishing Club Chapters from across Florida are joining forces with Salt Strong Alliance, ALL FLORIDA and Sea & Shoreline to host a gathering of inshore anglers, families, captains, and conservation partners.
This full-day Meet-Up at the Egypt Shriners Center in Tampa is built around the heart of what Salt Strong stands for:
✔ Fishing
✔ Fellowship
✔ Family
✔ Hands-on learning
✔ Real conservation impact
Whether someone is a die-hard Insider Member, a new angler, a parent, a kayak fisherman, a weekend warrior, or a pro captain—this event invites them into the full Salt Strong experience.
Attendees will enjoy expert-led seminars, live demonstrations, hands-on workshops, skill-building stations, kids’ education areas, conservation learning zones, captain meet-and-greets, giveaways, and exclusive raffles including the Micro Draft Skiff grand prize and the ICAST award-winning FluxJet Kayak (both winners announced live at the event).
Our goal is to create a unified gathering where anglers from Salt Strong Chapters—AND the general public—come together to build skills, connect with the community, meet their favorite coaches and captains, and ignite a passion for conservation. The event offers an immersive introduction to what Salt Strong membership truly provides, from Smart Fishing Spots to weekly Gameplans to local Chapters and captain access.
Families will have an incredible time as well with Kids Fishing & Environmental Education Workshops, hosted by respected, knowledge packed local educators, emphasizing safety, stewardship, and the next generation of anglers. Conservation partners—including Sea & Shoreline, All Florida and Salt Strong Alliance—will showcase nature-based solutions, habitat restoration innovations, and hands-on demonstrations from oyster gardening to shoreline habitat building.
This event is designed to:
- Bring together 500+ anglers and outdoor enthusiasts
- Highlight what makes Salt Strong the world’s largest saltwater fishing club
- Celebrate the statewide Salt Strong Chapters network
- Showcase how conservation, community, and fishing success go hand in hand
- Inspire attendees to get more involved in Salt Strong Chapters, Salt Strong Alliance projects, community and clean water efforts
And of course, it will be a FUN day—packed with insider tips, local captains, live demos, giveaways, and the high-energy Salt Strong culture everyone loves.
This Meet-Up is more than an event—it’s a statewide moment for the Salt Strong community and the ultimate gateway for anglers to “get closer to the water” in all the ways Salt Strong helps them do every day.
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This year’s theme captures it perfectly:
“Where Fishing Meets Fellowship.”
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned expert, you’ll find something new, exciting, and practical to take back to the water.
SKILL-BUILDING SESSIONS & HANDS-ON FISHING DEMOS
If you’ve ever wanted to learn exactly how Salt Strong Fishing Club members/insiders catch fish so consistently, this is your chance. This year’s Meet Up features a full lineup built around Salt Strong’s most-watched, most-requested, most-talked-about fishing content.
Live Fishing Seminars & Demonstrations Include:
- How to Toss a Cast Net
- Wade Fishing Techniques
- Surf & Beach Fishing Strategies
- Bridge Fishing Techniques
- How to Find Your Own Secret Fishing Spots
- Kids’ Fishing Workshop
- And much more!
These aren’t passive seminars—they’re hands-on training sessions led by expert captains, guides, and Salt Strong Coaches who will be right there beside you, showing you what really works on the water.
Coordinate with Mike Preisler and team for photos and videos to insert here promoting Salt Strong
And yes—you’ll get to meet Wader Dave, Captain Dave Pomerleau (The Mad Snooker), (List other Captains as they are confirmed) and Salt Strong Founders Joe and Luke Simonds in person!
CONSERVATION IN ACTION: A UNIQUE CHANCE TO LEARN & DO
This Meet-up is also a rare opportunity to get behind the scenes of one of Florida’s fastest-growing conservation movements.
Salt Strong Alliance will host interactive conservation workshops designed by Sea & Shoreline’s restoration professionals, giving attendees the chance to learn about oyster beds, seagrass planting, mangrove restoration, clam deployments, and other nature-based solutions that rebuild fisheries and improve water quality.
The goal is simple:
Empower anglers to protect the fisheries they love.
Every raffle ticket, every volunteer hour, and every bit of awareness contributes to real, measurable environmental impact.
KIDS’ FISHING ZONE: RAISING THE NEXT GENERATION
For families, this event is pure gold.
Kids will experience hands-on workshops, learn essential skills, and discover how conservation and fishing go hand in hand. The program is designed to inspire confidence, curiosity, and stewardship in the next generation of anglers.
“Fishing is a skill passed down through generations. By including family-friendly experiences, we ensure our kids and their kids continue to fish, have fun, and protect our fisheries.”
Bring the little ones—this is how future anglers are born.
THE CAPTAIN’S DECK: MEET & MINGLE WITH TOP CAPTAINS & GUIDES
Looking to book your next dream charter? Want to pick a captain’s brain about seasonal trends, tackle, or your home waters?
The Captain’s Deck—hosted inside the onsite 1918 Café—lets you grab a drink, relax, and meet top local captains in a casual, friendly environment.
It’s one part networking, one part mentorship, and one part good old-fashioned fishing talk.
(Insert Photos and names of Guides as they confirm attendance)
THE HEADLINER: WIN THE ULTIMATE MICRO DRAFT SKIFF
This year’s Meet Up will announce the winner of one of the most talked-about boat raffles in Florida:
The Micro Draft Skiff 22 Extreme
- Custom-designed by the winner
- Built by Captain Billy Henderson
- 22 feet long with a 97-inch beam
- Valued at over $90,000 MSRP
- Known for being “Skinny on the Water, Fat on Performance”
Check out Luke Simonds from Salt Strong highlighting the Micro Draft Skiff — a true shallow water fishing machine — and why Salt Strong Alliance is raffling one off.
There are only 2,000 tickets left, and the promotion is better than ever:
BUY ONE TICKET, GET ONE FREE!
The Raffle Ends February 19th, Get your Ticket Today , before they are gone!!
You do not have to be present to win…
…but imagine hearing your name called in a room full of cheering anglers.
For the first time ever, attendees will also have the chance to win a FluxJet Electric Jet Kayak, winner of the ICAST 2025 Best of Show Award. This revolutionary kayak isn’t even available for purchase yet—and Salt Strong Alliance is bringing it directly to you.
Click Here to Check out the FluxJet Kayak Website for more info.
Winner will also receive a Salt Strong Fishing Bundle — it’s the full Salt Strong experience in one! Whether you’re just getting started or you’re ready to commit fully to the Salt Strong System, this all-in-one package gives you the exact gear, lures, and rigging we rely on year-round to help anglers Find The Fish Faster.
And when you buy our Raffle tickets, you’re not just entering a raffle—
You’re funding real conservation.
Your purchase supports Salt Strong Alliance’s structured, Take-Action initiatives to preserve our fisheries and pursue initiatives contributing to cleaner and healthier waters.
ON-SITE LIVE PODCASTS
Live Podcasts from the Egypt Shriner’s Auditorium Stage
100 seats for audience, All Florida Banner as Stage Backdrop and seating set up. All Florida’s Big Florida puzzle, Oyster Filtering Display in Aquariums on stage,
Potential Podcast Interviewers:
Travis Thompson, Joe Simonds, Mason Gravely, D. Freil, Brent and Carter from Sea & Shoreline
Potential Pod Cast Interviews:
Michael Sipos, University of Florida Sea Grant
- “Become a Better Angler in the New Year with the Florida Friendly Angler Program”
- The free, self-paced Florida Friendly Angler Certificate
- And the now-live Florida Friendly Angler online course
Travis Thompson, All Florida
Lisa Fitzgerald and Blair Wiggins, IRL Clam Restoration Progress and Future
Jason Hall, FDOT District 7 Secretary on FDOT’s Impact to the Future of Water Quality in Tampa Bay and the Future of Sunshine Skyway Fishing Pier
Florida Wildlife Corridor and the Coastal Connection through the Florida Department of Transportation with Brent Setchell
Old Tampa Bay Water Quality Improvement Project and How it has Improved Seagrasses and Natural Filtration Habitat in Old Tampa Bay – interviewees: TBEP and Daniel Laucirello, FDOT D7
TICKETS, PRICING & WHAT’S INCLUDED
General Admission: $20
FREE for kids 2 and under
Early Bird Discount:
Register before the Meet Up and get 50% off – THATS $10 General Admission tickets before midnight on February 20th.
(Register button/link)
Every Ticket Includes:
✔ Access to all seminars & hands-on sessions
✔ 10 free raffle tickets for on-site giveaways
✔ A Salt Strong Alliance / Drive for Clean Water tote bag
✔ Conservation workshops
✔ Access to vendors & interactive experiences
✔ Kids’ fishing workshops
✔ Entry to the Captain’s Deck at 1918 Café
✔ Meet & mingle with top captains & industry pros
A MESSAGE FROM Salt Strong Aliance:
“Our goal is to inspire and connect the fishing community. I hope attendees leave with new skills, new friends, and new motivation to get involved in conservation. This event honors our coastal community and everything we love about fishing.”
“Every raffle ticket sold helps fund clean water, fisheries enhancement, volunteer cleanups, youth mentorship, and innovative tools that measure habitat success. Together, we are protecting the future of our fisheries.”
JOIN US FEBRUARY 21—AND BE PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER
Whether you come to learn, fish, connect, volunteer, shop, or win a dream boat—
the ALL FLORIDA Salt Strong Chapters Meet Up is your chance to be part of a growing movement in Florida’s fishing community.
A movement powered by anglers.
Built on fellowship.
Driven by conservation.
Fueled by passion for our waters.
Get your tickets and raffle entries now at:
SaltStrongAlliance.com
MicroDraftSkiffs.com
Mark your calendar. Bring your family. Bring your fishing buddies.
We’ll see you in Tampa.