1.)    Registration: This is a 1 day, “Offshore” boat fishing tournament for Dolphin, Wahoo, King Mackerel and Tuna (Yellowfin & Blackfin only). There is no number limit on team size, only one entrant per boat is permitted. Entrants must register for the tournament and pay the non-refundable entry fee of $350, no later than 9pm Thursday June 13th, 2024. Members of the Halifax Sport Fishing club and early bird registration by 5/25/2024 will receive a $50 discount off the tournament entry fee. A copy of the tournament rules will be given to each entrant and reviewed during the Captain’s meeting June 13th, 2024 @ 6:30pm @ Halifax Sport Fishing Club. A minimum of one representative from each boat MUST attend the captain’s meeting. Failure to comply will result in a disqualification from the tournament. All anglers (or boats if chartered) must be properly licensed.

 

2.)    Tackle & Equipment: Electric reels are not allowed. All tournament fish must be caught on rod and reel (no hand lines). The use of cast net or sabiki’s is allowed before 6:00 am.

 

3.)    Fish Species & Requirements for eligible fish to be weighed in: Dolphin, Wahoo, King Mackerel and Tuna (Yellowfin & Blackfin only). Dolphin, King Mackerel and Tuna (Yellowfin & Blackfin) must weigh at least 10 pounds, Wahoo has a minimum weight of 15lbs. Each boat can weigh 1 fish from each category for the Tournament.

 

4.)    The winners will be determined by the teams with the highest total points. The point system is as follows: 1st place in each category will be awarded 40 points, 2nd place in each category will be awarded 30 points, 3rd place in each category will be awarded 20 points and 4th place in each category will be awarded 10 points.  In the case of a tie, the first to be weighed in is the winner. Trophy & Cash prizes will be awarded for 1st- 5th places in total points.   A prize will be awarded to a Junior Lady Angler (15 and under). A prize will be awarded to a Senior Lady Angler (55 and older). A Mystery Weight prize will be awarded to a fish weighing closest to the Mystery Weight, not going over that weight. The Team Spirit (Panty Parade Award) will be given to the most decorated or best costumed boat or team. All catches must be legal per current state and federal rules.

 

5.)    Tournament Rules: The weighmaster reserves the right to hold and examine internally and externally any fish weighed in as a tournament catch to determine if the fish is eligible for an award. All fish must be fresh and kept in consumable condition. Any fish that has unnatural material in or on it will be disqualified. No mutilated/half eaten fish will be allowed for weigh-in. The tournament committee will determine if a fish is mutilated. **PLEASE REMOVE ALL HOOKS, LURES AND LINES BEFORE TAKING YOUR FISH OFF THE BOAT! **

6.)     All boats must leave and return via Ponce Inlet.  The tournament will be on Saturday June 15th, 2024. There will be no check out time prior to the start of fishing. Boats may leave Ponce Inlet at 12:01am on Saturday, June 15th, 2024. Eligible fish must be caught during tournament hours on a vessel that leaves and returns via Ponce Inlet. A photo of your fish with your boat number must be taken offshore and submitted prior to weighing in Saturday night to 386-868-8759. A Lady Angler must strike the fish and reel in the fish unassisted. Once the leader has reached the tip of the rod, others may assist in the landing of the fish. No fishing lines in the water before 6:00 a.m. If the U.S. Weather Service issues a Small Craft Advisory at the 5:00 p.m. forecast on June 14th, the Tournament will be postponed to an alternate date TBA.

 

7.)    Weigh-In: The Weigh-In location will be held at The River Deck Tiki Bar & Restaurant, New Smyrna Beach location. The Weigh Station will be open from 4:00-7:00pm on Saturday, June 15th, 2024. All Boats must check in with the Tournament Committee boat no later than 7:00pm. All fish must come by boat to weigh-in location. Each boat must show their Tournament number to the committee boat and be verbally confirmed by the committee boat on channel #72. The Tournament committee boat will be anchored on the west side of the channel across from the US Coast Guard Station in NSB.  Once a boat has been confirmed and checked in, the captain will turn to VHF channel #69 to contact the Dockmaster. If we have not heard from you and are unable to reach you by 9:00 pm, the US Coast Guard will be notified of a potential missing vessel.  Any boat that does not check in will be disqualified. If you don’t have fish to weigh, please check in anyway. It is important for the tournament to know that each boat is back to port with all participants present and accounted for. Send us a text to 386-868-8759 with boat name, number and let us know you made it in safely or we will call your emergency contact and/or the Coast Guard if not heard from!

 

8.)    All fish considered for awards must be weighed in at the official weigh-in station at The River Deck Tiki Bar & Restaurant 107 N. Riverside Dr. NSB, FL no later than 7:00 pm. All fish must be caught during tournament hours.

 

9.)    Disqualification: If any boats come together or anything is passed between boats, or docked or stops at a dock for any reason after the official start of the tournament and before each boat has checked in with the committee boat you will be disqualified. However, as safety is of prime importance to the operation of the tournament, exceptions may be granted by tournament management for Emergencies. All boats must remain under their own power and fuel supply for the entire fishing day. A special exception could be granted to a tournament boat lending aid to a distressed boat.

 

10.)      Protest: All protest must be presented in writing to the tournament director at the weigh-in station on the day of the alleged infraction, prior to the closing of the weigh-in station on the day it occurs. A $100.00 cash deposit, refundable if the protest is upheld, must accompany the protest. Tournament management will make all decisions, and their decision is final. If the protest is not upheld, then such deposit will be forfeited to the tournament. Polygraph: Participants in the tournament are subject to a polygraph at the request of Tournament Management. Failure to take or successfully pass such an examination may result in a second team member; second failure results in automatic disqualification of the team. This is at the sole discretion of tournament management. A copy of tournament rules and your boat number must be on-board with you at all times.

Awards Ceremony will be Tuesday, June 18th,  2024 (6:00PM) at The River Deck Tiki Bar & Restaurant (107 N. Riverside Dr. NSB, Fl.

If you have any questions contact William Hawthorne, 386-868-8759, or tournaments@hsfc.com. Check for updates on Facebook.