Questions, answered

The Native American Sport Fishing Federation enters Native American anglers in international sport fishing competition, starting with the Pan American Surf Fishing Championships. It was founded in September 2026, and its first entry competes in Florida this November.

No. NASFF enters the Pan Americans as its own federation and delegation, representing enrolled citizens of federally recognized tribal nations.

Founding president Robert Jacobo III, an enrolled member of the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe. A founding board will be seated when NASFF incorporates as a nonprofit after Florida.

Because international competition is organized by federation. A federation selects athletes, handles entries with the organizers and builds support. That gives Native anglers a delegation of their own, and a program tribal nations can back.

Before we feature a tribe or its citizens, we ask first. We never publish enrollment details, and we don't use cultural elements without permission.

Enrolled citizens of federally recognized tribal nations. Men, women and under-21 anglers can all apply. Under-21s must be 11 to 21 on tournament day and travel with a parent or guardian.

Privately, one on one, before anyone is named to a roster. NASFF never publishes enrollment details, and the website never asks for ID documents or enrollment numbers.

No. It helps, but what matters most is shore fishing with lures for warm-water game fish, the stamina for two sessions a day, and a team-first attitude.

Start with the interest form. NASFF publishes its selection criteria and dates in 2027, once the tournament details are released. Anglers are chosen on ability, stamina and team fit, and we only name as many as we can support.

No. It puts you on our list and keeps you in the loop. Roster spots depend on selection and on what NASFF can fund.

Not this year. Registration for Florida closes October 1, and NASFF's 2026 entry is one athlete, its founding president. The roster call is for Panama 2027.

November 5–8, 2026, at Sebastian Inlet State Park in Florida. The opening ceremony is Thursday night, practice is Friday, and competition runs Saturday and Sunday, Nov 7–8, with a morning and an afternoon session each day.

Follow @nasff_official on Instagram. The whole Florida run is being filmed, from travel and practice through all four sessions.

Catch and release, artificial lures only, mechanical reels only, and four sessions over two days. Fish are measured from the tip of the mouth to the fork of the tail, one point per centimeter. Know the Targets has the details.

Every fish scores for the angler who caught it. The team score adds up each nation's three best anglers.

The athlete entry fee is $399. It covers tournament and park entry, the opening and closing ceremony dinners, lunch on both competition days, and trophies. Travel, lodging, other meals, a Florida fishing license and gear are extra. All in, one angler runs about $8,600 with competition gear, or about $2,000 for an angler who already owns it.

That's the goal. NASFF is lining up sponsors to cover as much of each angler's cost as it can, but it can't promise full coverage yet.

Yes. Use the pledge form on the Support page and we'll follow up. Online giving opens once the federation's bank account is set up.

Not yet. The plan is an Arizona nonprofit corporation after Florida, then 501(c)(3) status. Until then, donations aren't tax-deductible, and sponsorships are arranged directly with NASFF.

Sponsor an athlete or the team, donate gear, partner on the film, or host a tryout. Start with the pledge form or email info@nasff.org.