Pan Am 2026 · Sebastian Inlet
Opening ceremony: Thursday, Nov 5 at 7:30 pm Eastern, Tiffany Room, Capt. Hiram's Resort, Sebastian.
The event
A first on U.S. sand
The Pan American Surf Fishing Championships bring national teams from across North, Central and South America together for two days of shore competition. The 2026 edition is the sixth, and the first ever held in the United States.
It's catch and release with artificial lures only: four sessions over two days at Sebastian Inlet State Park, on Florida's Atlantic coast.
Species, scoring & rules- Event6th Pan American Surf Fishing Championships
- DatesNovember 5–8, 2026 (competition Nov 7–8)
- VenueSebastian Inlet State Park, 9700 S Hwy A1A, Melbourne Beach, FL 32951
- HQCapt. Hiram's Resort, 1580 US-1, Sebastian, FL 32958
- HostsUSA Surf Fishing Team, US Angling, Pan American Sportfishing Federation
- SanctionedPan American Sportfishing Federation, US Angling, CIPS
Schedule
Five days at Sebastian
Two five-hour sessions each competition day. Exact start times are confirmed at the captains' meeting.
- 5Thu · Nov
Arrival & opening ceremony
Fly in by 2:00 pm. Welcome and opening ceremony at 7:30 pm, with anthems and team presentations, in the Tiffany Room at Capt. Hiram's Resort.
- 6Fri · Nov
Practice day
Coach and captains' meeting at 9:00 am, then practice on the competition beach.
- 7Sat · Nov
Competition day one Sessions 1 & 2
A morning session and an afternoon session, about five hours each, with a boxed shore lunch in between.
- 8Sun · Nov
Competition day two Sessions 3 & 4
Two more five-hour sessions, then the closing ceremony and awards banquet at 8:00 pm at Capt. Hiram's.
- 9Mon · Nov
Travel home
Recommended departure day.
NASFF's entry
One angler and a camera
NASFF's first entry is a one-athlete delegation: founding president Robert Jacobo III, an enrolled member of the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe.
It's small on purpose. Year one proves the pathway: the entry, the travel, the rules, the costs and the competition itself, all on camera. Year two is where the team starts to grow.
Format
How it's fished
Catch & release
Every fish goes back alive, handled and unhooked by the angler.
Lures only
Artificial lures with single, double or treble hooks. No natural bait.
Four sessions
Morning and afternoon blocks on Saturday and Sunday, inside flagged zones.
Best three score
Individuals score every fish. The team score counts each nation's three best anglers.
Follow the journey
The Florida run is being filmed from travel and practice through all four competition sessions. It's the story of year one, and the invitation to year two.
Follow @nasff_officialThe venue
Sebastian Inlet State Park
On Florida's Atlantic coast in Indian River County, where the Indian River Lagoon meets the ocean. The competition runs on the park's south beach inside flagged zones, and ceremonies are at Capt. Hiram's Resort in Sebastian.
- Fly inOrlando (MCO) is 84 miles away, about 1 hr 15 min. Melbourne (MLB) is 24 miles away, mostly domestic flights.
- Park9700 S Hwy A1A, Melbourne Beach, FL 32951
- HQCapt. Hiram's Resort, 1580 US-1, Sebastian, FL 32958
Year one
Help send NASFF's first angler
From the $399 entry fee to flights, lodging and gear, every pledge goes toward the Florida run and the film.

