Native American Sport Fishing Federation

Who we represent

Enrolled citizens of federally recognized tribal nations. NASFF confirms enrollment privately before anyone is named to a roster and never publishes enrollment details. We respect tribal protocols: before we feature a tribe or its citizens, we ask first.

2026 · Year one: Florida

NASFF's entry: founding president Robert Jacobo III (Fort Mojave Indian Tribe) fishes as the federation's first athlete. Year one is one angler and a camera. The entry is filmed start to finish so future athletes, tribes and sponsors can see what the path takes.

2027 · Building toward Panama

A full team is the goal, not a promise. Panama 2027 is where NASFF's team starts to take shape. The team score counts each nation's three best anglers, so the first target is a scoring core of three to four. Pan Am rules allow up to 10 adult men, or 15 anglers with at least three women and two under-21s (ages 11–21, with a guardian).

Principle: we'd rather send a few well-supported anglers than a big team we can't back. We only name the anglers we can support.

What we look for

• Shore fishing with lures for warm-water game fish (jacks, snook, tarpon)
• Stamina for two sessions a day, two days running, plus practice
• Team-first: shares what's working, helps teammates
• Organized; plans own travel and training
• Fit for long days in heat and surf
• Tournament experience helps; it isn't required

Roadmap

1. Sept 2026 Federation founded: name, nasff.org, info@nasff.org
2. Nov 2026 Florida: NASFF's first Pan Am entry
3. Winter 2026–27 The Florida film; 2027 roster call opens
4. 2027 Selection criteria published once the tournament details are released; applications reviewed, enrollment confirmed
5. Then Roster named, only as big as sponsorships can support; travel booked
6. 2027 Panama: NASFF's first multi-angler team

Building the federation

• Now: trade name registration; federation email, domain and social accounts
• After Florida: incorporate as an Arizona nonprofit corporation
• Then: apply for 501(c)(3) status, so donations are tax-deductible and tribes and companies can fund athletes directly

Support the team

Sending one angler runs about $8,600 with competition gear, or about $2,000 for an angler who owns their gear. NASFF is building sponsorships so cost isn't what keeps a qualified angler home.

• Tribal nations: share the roster call, sponsor an athlete, host a tryout or clinic
• Businesses and brands: sponsor an athlete or the team, supply gear, partner on the film
• Anglers and crew: join the roster, or help as a coach, captain, volunteer or film crew