The Mission of the Halifax Sport Fishing Club Inc., as stated in its charter is: HSFC is a non-profit corporation, members only organization whose purpose is to achieve the following:

1. Promotion and enhancement of the sport of recreational fishing and safe boating in the Intra-Coastal Waterway and Atlantic Ocean and educate our members on effective related techniques.

2. Promotion of responsible fishing through catch and release programs, adherence to state and federal regulations, support of IGFA rules, and respect for the environment.

3. Sponsorship of special projects around a sport fishing theme aimed at the young, elderly and the disadvantaged.

4. Creation of an enjoyable forum for our members and their families in which they can enjoy a wide variety of social events.

5. Promotion of family fun and functions.

The Halifax Sport Fishing Club was established in 1967 and incorporated in 1969 as a "registered not-for-profit Sec. 501(c) (4) organization". Our headquarters is the Riverside Pavilion, 3431 South Ridgewood Ave, Port Orange, Florida overlooking the Intra-Coastal Waterway.

For over 50 years, our members have dedicated their efforts to a mission based on two guiding principles:

1. Promoting responsible fishing and safe boating in east central Florida estuaries and Atlantic coastal waters.

2. Providing valuable community services to improve the lives of those around us.

Since its inception, HSFC has taken a leadership role in the effort to preserve the environment and promote safety while protecting the rights of those that enjoy east central Florida's natural resources. To achieve these goals, we work in partnership with many private organizations and government agencies on a continuing basis. Our members sit on various committees that help define the future of our sport.

We also have a priority on education. HSFC provides free monthly seminars on a broad range of topics from fishing techniques and boat handling, to rigging bait and tips on cooking your catch plus emergency First-Aid. Our presenters are all professionals and experts in their field. We coordinate with outside organizations to assist with International Game Fishing Association (IGFA) certifications and Captain's licenses. We also publish a detailed Inshore and Offshore fishing chart in conjunction with the Volusia County Port Authority, Ponce Inlet District showing the location of productive fishing grounds, artificial and natural reefs.

HSFC has a long history of involvement in community service projects, some of which are listed below:

• Maintenance and placement of Port Authority artificial reefs

• Construction of wheelchair-accessible docks at local boat ramps

• Free fishing contests and picnics for physically or economically challenged children and adults

• Fishing outings for the elderly, especially those in nursing homes and assisted living facilities

• Fund raising activities for the benefit of other non-profits and community causes

• Economic support for local Marine Science Centers and museums

To generate funding for these and other community services, HSFC hosts an annual series of competitive fishing events for inshore, offshore, and surf anglers alike. These events are the most popular in the Volusia County area and receive financial support through sponsorship of large corporations and local businesses.

​Our Kids Can Fish Too series of events has become extremely popular in the last several years. A number of events are scheduled yearly with a diverse theme, all geared specifically for the future anglers of east central Florida. Through the sponsorship support of Fish Florida and other state and local organizations and business's we have given over 2000 free rods and reels away to these children and had several offshore fishing trips specifically for kids at no charge.

We are a serious organization but we also know how to have fun. Our Members have access to plenty of social activities like family dinners, club outings, Holiday party, annual contests, Awards Banquet, and more. We provide a FAMILY atmosphere and take every opportunity to include spouses and children in the Club's activities. HSFC Members also receive special discounts at all of the Club's events.

Club meetings are year round on the third Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM. There is no general membership meeting in December due to the holidays. Meetings are open to visitors and those interested in joining, all of our seminars are free. We invite you to come early to spend some time with us and enjoy the fellowship, share fishing stories and relax in the atmosphere of our clubhouse deck overlooking the beautiful Halifax River.

Forty-one years ago, a couple of good-old-boy anglers from the Halifax Sport Fishing Club, Royce Riehlman and Capt. John Hazouri, and some big wigs at The News Journal hashed out a plan to hold a fishing tournament to promote the greater area surrounding Daytona Beach, and so the Greater Daytona Beach Striking Fish Tournament was born.

Guaranteeing a minimum $25,000 payout, the tournament stepped up into the big leagues with its very first event. In the first promotional letter, the two tournament governors said the tourney was paying out that money whether they had “five entries — or 500!” This marked an unprecedented start-up and was a big gamble for the new event. The governors also made sure to point out that everything was going to be run on the up and up, with club members “overseeing all tournament activities, whether at the scales or from numerous committee boats oceanside.” The tournament had five judges at the scales, two fishermen from the area and three marine biologists.

“Obviously we’ll be bending double to make certain that all is fair and square and right by the IGFA rulebook,” said the letter. Today, the tournament is still run with a professional attitude, but has an easier-going set of rules with an emphasis on fun.

Roy Lenois, who has fished almost every single Striker since its inception and chaired the event for five years during its peak in the late ’80s and early ’90s, says that…

-The History of the Striker Tournament by Dave Ferrel