Reef meetings: Our Florida Reefs has a meeting from noon to 2 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 16 at the Holiday Park Social Center at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale. Additional meetings are at the same times Feb. 17 at the Newman Alumni Center at the University of Miami in Coral Gables and Feb. 18 at the Kovens Conference Center at FIU in North Miami. The meetings will present options for protecting local reefs, including no-fishing zones and not allowing scuba divers to spearfish. Visit ourfloridareefs.org/events.
Fishing Classic: Bass Pro Shops in Dania Beach has its annual Spring Fishing Classic Feb. 12-Feb. 21. Several South Florida pros will be at the store Feb. 19-21 doing seminars and signing autographs, including nine-time BASS Angler of the Year Roland Martin, Peter Miller, host of the TV show “Bass 2 Billfish” and Rich Tudor, co-host of “Saltwater Experience.” There also will be activities for youngsters, including fishing in the lake adjacent to the store. Call 954-929-7710 or visit basspro.com.
IGFA awards: The sixth annual Legendary Captains and Crew Awards is 6 p.m. Feb. 13 at the IGFA in Dania Beach. Tickets are $100. Contact Denise Hartman at 954-924-4243 or dhartman@igfa.org.
FWC meeting: At its meeting this week in Tallahassee, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission voted to streamline largemouth bass regulations statewide. As of July 1, anglers can keep up to five bass per day of any size, but only one can be 16 inches or longer. The agency also approved increasing the minimum size limit for gag and black grouper to 24 inches in Gulf state waters and the gag grouper season will be June 1-Dec. 31 in Gulf waters except in Monroe County, which follows the Atlantic state season.
Boating safety: U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 34 has an eight-hour safe boating class Feb. 13 at Imperial Point Hospital, 6401 N. Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale. The course encompasses seamanship, equipment and legal requirements, emergencies and navigation rules. Cost is $50 and there are discounts for multiple family members. Call 954-941-5781 to register or email Flotilla34pompanobeach@gmail.com.
Sailfish tournament: The Sailfish Challenge is now a two-day tournament that will be held Feb. 19-20, with fishing out of Government Cut, Hillsboro Inlet or Lake Worth Inlet. Entry fee is $1,495 plus tax. Final registration is 6 p.m. Feb. 17 at Bokampers Sports Bar & Grill in Fort Lauderdale. Visit sailfishchallenge.com or call 954-725-4010.
Boating safety: U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 38 is offering one-day, eight-hour “About Boating Safely” courses at Westfield Mall in Plantation and Bass Pro Shops in Dania Beach. The next class at Bass Pro is Feb. 21. The next class at the mall is March 19. The cost is $50 and includes lunch. To register, email Paul_Greenbaum@yahoo.com or call 954-610-8085 or visit flsafeboating.org/flotilla38_abs_info.htm.
Fishing seminar: The Salt Water Sportsman National Seminar Series is 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 27 at the Port St. Lucie Civic Center in Port St. Lucie. George Poveromo, host of “George Poveromo’s World of Saltwater Fishing” on the NBC Sports Network and a contributing editor for Salt Water Sportsman magazine, headlines the program that features a panel of expert captains and anglers sharing tips and tactics for catching everything from snook, flounder, redfish, sea trout and tarpon to cobia, snapper, grouper, dolphin and kingfish. Tickets are $55 and available by calling 800-448-7360 or online at nationalseminarseries.com. That includes an after party from 5-8:30 p.m. at the Bass Pro Shops in Port St. Lucie.
Youth fishing: The Broward County Parks and Recreation Division’s 18th annual Jr. Bass Trail for ages 12-17 starts Feb. 28, with the first of four tournaments at Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek. Tournaments also will be held at Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach. Kids fish in boats accompanied by a non-fishing adult 18 or older from safe light to 1 p.m. For information or to register, call Bob Newland at 954-214-8771.
Bass tournament: The third qualifier tournament of the King of the Glades Open Team Series is March 13 on Lake Okeechobee out of Clewiston. Entry fee is $75 per team. Contact Mike Lendl at 954-393-5596 or kotg2030@gmail.com or visit kotgseries.com.
