Redfish tournaments are among the most popular and accessible competitive fishing events in America — inshore, kayak-friendly, open to anglers without large offshore boats, and spread across thousands of miles of productive coastline from Texas to the Chesapeake Bay. Whether you’re chasing CCA STAR tournament prize money or competing in a local club event on your home marsh, the redfish tournament scene has something for every angler.
CCA STAR Tournament (Texas) — The Biggest Redfish Payout in America
The CCA Texas STAR Tournament (Saltwater Texas Angler’s Reward) is the largest inshore fishing tournament in the country by prize value — over $1 million in total prizes including boats, trucks, and cash. Running throughout the summer from June through Labor Day weekend, the STAR tournament is free to enter for CCA Texas members. Tagged fish worth $50,000 are released throughout the bay systems — catch a tagged fish and win the grand prize.
- Season: June–September 2026
- Entry: Free with CCA Texas membership
- Prizes: $1M+ including boats, trucks, and cash
- Species: Tagged redfish, flounder, and trout
- Registration: ccatexas.org
Redfish Cup — National Inshore Tournament Circuit
The Redfish Cup is the most prominent national redfish circuit, with events across the Gulf Coast and Southeast Atlantic. Teams compete across multiple events for season points and a championship berth. Entry fees typically run $200–$500 per event, with significant payouts to top finishers.
Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) State STAR Tournaments
Many CCA state chapters run their own STAR-style tagged fish tournaments. CCA Florida, CCA Louisiana, CCA Alabama, CCA Mississippi, and CCA Georgia all run similar programs — join your state chapter and fish throughout the summer for tagged fish prizes.
Local Redfish Tournament Scene
The best redfish fishing is often in local, less-publicized events close to home. Check with your local marina, tackle shop, or fishing club for weekend redfish derbies. Entry fees are often $50–$100, weigh-ins are informal, and the competition level is accessible to all skill levels.
Kayak Redfish Tournaments
Kayak-specific redfish events have exploded in popularity across the Gulf Coast and Southeast. Photo weigh-in format (no live weigh-in required) makes these events uniquely accessible. Top series:
- Native Watercraft Kayak Fishing Tour: Year-round events across the Southeast
- Hobie Fishing Series: National kayak events including inshore species divisions
- Texas Kayak Fishing Association events: Dense calendar of events across Texas bays
Top Redfish Tournament Locations
- Texas Coast (Galveston Bay, Corpus Christi, Lower Laguna Madre): The capital of redfish tournament fishing
- Louisiana marshes: Abundant fish, multiple annual events
- Charlotte Harbor / Pine Island Sound (SW Florida): World-class redfish in a tournament-active fishery
- Indian River Lagoon (East Coast Florida): Dense population of slot reds, strong tournament circuit
- Chesapeake Bay tributaries: Fall red drum run produces excellent October tournament action
Tackle for Tournament Redfish
Most redfish tournaments are inshore affairs requiring light to medium spinning tackle and a mix of artificials and live bait. Read the rules carefully — many events restrict or ban live bait to level the playing field.
See our complete How to Catch Redfish guide for tackle and technique details.