Join us in Homosassa, FL for the first ever Blast & Cast event hosted in Florida!
Purpose: To build meaningful relationships with other outdoorsmen for the purpose of leading them to, or back to, Jesus Christ. At this event, our secondary purpose will be to form a dedicated leadership team of 3-5 men who are committed to launching a new Blast & Cast chapter in Florida.
Dates: June 9-11, 2023.
Lodging: We will be staying at the Chassahowitzka Hotel just south of Homosassa. Lodging for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights is included in the cost, but the event will not start until Friday afternoon.
The address for the hotel is: 8551 W. MISS MAGGIE DRIVE HOMOSASSA, FL
Cost: $150 per participant. This cost includes the option of 3 nights’ lodging, t-shirt, and fishing on volunteers’ boats throughout the event. If cost is an issue for you, please let us know. We do not want finances to prevent someone from attending, but lodging in the area is more expensive than we anticipated.
Event Note: This event will be more relaxed than most Blast & Cast 3-day events. It is intended to be an extended weekend of getting to know each other while forming some shared experiences on the water and assessing the viability of a Blast & Cast ministry effort in Florida. We will have devotions and Q&A both Friday and Saturday evenings with the Executive Director of Blast & Cast Men’s Ministries, Brodie Cooper. Expect to spend time fishing with men you do not know in order to form new relationships. Also, expect to spend more time in group prayer than at a normal Blast & Cast outreach-oriented event as we seek the Lord’s guidance in Florida.
Fishing: Volunteers will be bringing boats to provide fishing opportunities. Please bring your own tackle. We expect to be fishing inshore for redfish, speckled trout, and snook primarily, but where and how you fish will be up to the boat owner.
Our volunteer boat owners are paying their way and are not professionals – nor are they licensed guides. No tips are allowed, but split expenses like gas, ice, and bait. Each volunteer boat owner will be assigned a fishing party each day. While we keep fathers and sons together, usually you will be fishing with people you don’t know. This is done purposefully so please don’t be surprised.
Meals: To keep the event simple and more laid back, we will not be providing meals for this event. But, that could change so please be flexible. Bring some cash to eat out. An outdoor grill, microwave, and Keurig coffee maker are available for use at the hotel.
Rules:
- Perfect people are not allowed. Come as you are, no pretending.
- No drunkenness. Alcohol in moderation is allowed, but not on the boats, please.
- Please help keep the environment kid-friendly.
- Have a good time.
What to bring:
- Everyone should bring their own fishing gear and tackle as it is not expected of the volunteer boat owners to lend out their gear or tackle. If they choose to do so, please replace it. The suggested tackle list is below.
- Cash for boat gas, ice, or any live bait you would like to use.
- Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses
- Florida saltwater fishing license
- Filet knife and Ziploc bags – plan to clean your own fish, please.
- A cooler to bring fish home
- A willing attitude that’s eager to help make it work and have a good time – remember, everyone there is a volunteer, so set your expectations as though you are going on a weekend trip with friends. This is NOT a guided trip.
Suggested tackle:
- Plan to fish for speckled trout, redfish, and snook. Each fisherman must bring their own rod and reel. Appropriate rods are medium-light to medium action, 6-7ft long, either spinning or bait-casting. Monofilament line is typically 12lb test, braided line is typically 20-30lb test. We recommend that you put fresh line on reels if you haven’t done so recently.
- Artificial bait – Paddle tail-style baits are the easy to fish and effective. 3-4’’ models in glow/chartreuse, limetreuse, red/white, and pumpkinseed are the basics. Topwater baits like Super Spook Jr’s or Skitterwalks (white, chrome, or black) can be exciting. Gulp shrimp tails fished under a popping cork can also be effective and kid-friendly. Weedless gold spoons of all sizes are handy while fishing for redfish.
Contact info: Please contact Juan Carranza or Brodie Cooper with any questions. Juan can be reached at 786-719-0511 or [email protected]. Brodie can be reached at 832-330-8121 or [email protected].
Schedule of events:
Thursday:
3:00 PM Optional early check in
Friday:
2:00 PM Welcome at the hotel
2:30 PM Afternoon fishing
8:30 PM Dinner at a local restaurant, devotion, Q&A
Saturday:
5:15 AM Morning devotion
5:45 AM Depart for morning fishing trip
Noon Lunch at a local restaurant
2:30 PM Afternoon fishing
8:30 PM Dinner at a local restaurant, devotion, Q&A
Sunday:
5:15 AM Morning devotion
5:45 AM Optional morning fishing trip
11:00 AM Check out and departure