Every summer along Alabama’s salty southern shores, a special kind of magic happens. Anglers young and old head out onto the waters of Mobile and Baldwin counties, casting their lines with a little more hope than usual—because somewhere out there, swimming through the grass beds and flats, is the fish of a lifetime. It’s not just any redfish. It’s a redfish wearing a blue tag. And if you’re registered in the 2025 Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) STAR Tournament, it could mean a brand-new Skeeter boat, a powerful Yamaha motor, and a trailer to haul it all home.
Now entering its 2025 season, the CCA AL STAR (Statewide Tournament and Angler’s Rodeo) has become one of the most exciting summer-long fishing events on the Gulf Coast. It’s not just about the grand prize, although that prize is looking better than ever. It’s about conservation, competition, and good old-fashioned fun. And this year, the tournament is stepping up its game in a big way.
A New Level of Excitement for 2025
The 2025 CCA STAR Tournament is setting the bar sky-high. This year’s grand prize is a serious upgrade: a brand-new 2025 Skeeter SX221 Bay Boat, paired with a Yamaha F-200 motor, and riding on a Skeeter Tandem Axle Aluminum Trailer. This sleek setup is valued at over $80,000, making it one of the most impressive grand prizes ever offered in the history of the tournament.
Blakeley Ellis, Executive Director of CCA Alabama, says this year’s tournament is shaping up to be the best yet. “We are very excited to continue this partnership with Yamaha and Skeeter for the 2025 STAR Tournament,” Ellis said. “With a new updated Skeeter SX221 boat and a larger 200HP motor from Yamaha, the bar is higher than ever for our tournament and the grand prize.”
And it’s not just about that one big winner. In 2025, there are more ways to win than ever before.
New Youth Division, Weekly Prizes, and Better Odds
New this year is the Youth Tagged Redfish Division, which gives anglers under 18 years old a shot at their own exciting prize. The first registered youth angler to catch a tagged redfish will take home a full BOTE inflatable kayak package—perfect for paddling the back bays and skinny waters these fish call home. And the cost to enter the youth division? Just $10, which covers a youth membership in CCA. The STAR portion is totally free for kids once they’re signed up.
There’s also a new weekly speckled trout competition being hosted in the Fishing Chaos app throughout the tournament. Every week, anglers who enter their catches in the app will have a chance to win great gear and prizes. Whether you’re fishing a full day or sneaking in a quick trip before work, every trout you hook could earn you something awesome.
So what about the blue-tagged redfish? Are people actually catching them? The answer is a big yes. In 2024, 11 of the 30 tagged redfish released were recaptured, and 9 of those were caught during the tournament window. That’s a 30% recapture rate—pretty impressive odds when you consider the number of anglers out there and the size of the water these fish are swimming in.
But here’s the kicker: none of the anglers who caught tagged redfish in 2024 were registered in the tournament. Not a single one. Those 9 people that caught the blue tagged redfish without a STAR Tournament ticket, missed out on getting a brand new boat…..All you have to do is sign up before you catch a tagged fish.
How It Works (And How to Join)
The 2025 CCA STAR Tournament kicks off on Saturday, May 24, and runs all summer long until Monday, September 1. As in previous years, CCA AL will tag 30 slot-sized redfish with bright blue tags and release them into the coastal waters of Mobile and Baldwin Counties. If you’re lucky enough to catch one and you’re registered, you’re in the running for that top prize.
Here’s the key part: you must be registered before you catch a tagged fish. Once you’ve landed one, you’ll need to report it within two hours, send in a photo showing the tag, and present the fish to a tournament official within 24 hours. That blue tag could change your summer—and your fishing life—forever, but only if you’re signed up in time.
Getting registered is easy. If you’re already a CCA member, entry into the tournament is only $40. If you need to renew or join, the total cost is still just $80, which covers both your annual membership and your tournament entry. And remember, youth entries are just $10, and they include free STAR registration.
You can sign up by visiting joincca.org or by downloading the Fishing Chaos app, which is also where you’ll be able to enter your catches in the weekly trout competitions. If you attend one of CCA AL’s spring banquets, you can also sign up in person.
Why It Matters
At the heart of the 2025 CCA STAR Tournament is a mission to get people excited about fishing while supporting conservation of Alabama’s marine resources. The money raised through tournament entries goes directly to local habitat projects, advocacy efforts, and education initiatives that keep our coastlines healthy and productive for generations of anglers to come.
It’s a win-win: you get to fish all summer long with the thrill of a potential life-changing catch, while also supporting a group that’s working to protect the very waters we love to fish.
So whether you’re a seasoned inshore veteran, a weekend warrior, or a kid just learning how to cast, the 2025 CCA AL STAR Tournament has something for you. More prizes, more chances to win, and more reasons than ever to hit the water. Don’t let another tagged fish slip through your hands. This year, make sure you’re signed up, ready to go, and in the running for the ultimate summer prize.
The blue tags are coming. Are you ready?
