Crystal Coast Surf Fishing Challenge Rules

October 28 – 30, 2016

CRYSTAL COAST SURF FISHING CHALLENGE RULES AND REGULATIONS

Click here for a printable version of the rules: 2016 Crystal Coast Surf Fishing Challenge Rules.

The tournament’s entry fee places you in all four categories—bluefish, flounder, black drum, and sea mullet. The entry fee does not place you in the Red Drum TWT.
All participants must be registered by 11:00 pm on Friday, October 28. Registration is on Friday, October 28, from 2:00 pm to 11:00 pm. You may pre-register by mailing in the entry form in our tournament booklet or on our website at www.FishermansPost.com (click on “Tournaments” and then “Crystal Coast Surf Fishing Challenge”), or you may pre-register in person at Reel Outdoors, Chasin’ Tails, and/or Freeman’s Bait & Tackle (you may only pre-register at these locations up until Thursday, October 27, at 5:00 pm; afterwards you must register in person on Friday, October 28, at tournament HQ).
The tournament fishing time starts 12:00 midnight on Friday, October 28, and lasts around the clock until 12:00 noon on Sunday, October 30.
There are three weigh stations: (1) Reel Outdoors; (2) Chasin’ Tails; and (3) Freeman’s Bait & Tackle.
The three weigh stations will announce the hours they will be open over the weekend by the start of Registration at 2:00 pm on Friday, October 7. All fish must be in a weigh station line by 12:00 noon, Sunday, October 30.
All participants must fish from the Crystal Coast surf. No boats. No sound or pier fishing. The North End boundary is a line connecting the northeast point of Fort Macon with the southwest point of Shackleford Banks. The South End boundary is a line connecting the beach access at the end of Inlet Drive through the green buoy in Bogue Inlet and the end of Bear Island. See Boundary Maps online or in tournament booklet.
No fishing is permitted within 100 yards of Bogue Inlet Pier and Oceanana Pier.
All fish weighed must have been caught by the individual bringing them to a weigh station. All fish must be caught on hook and line.
Each participant may not fish more than two rods at a time.
No kite fishing, balloon rigs, air-cannons, or paddling out baits. No chumming or chum pots. No gaffing fish is allowed.
The tournament will fish rain or shine—no makeup dates are scheduled.
Each participant must physically stop by Registration on Friday, October 28, between 2:00 pm to 11:00 pm to receive the tournament wrist band—no exceptions. All participants must then display the tournament wrist band while fishing. No fish can be weighed in by an angler not displaying the tournament wrist band.
All fish must adhere to North Carolina state size regulations.
No cut or mutilated fish will be accepted.
Any fish weighed in may become the property of the Crystal Coast Surf Fishing Challenge.
The Red Drum Calcutta (TWT—tournament within a tournament) is voluntary for tournament anglers. It is offered as another way for you to win money. It has a payout ratio of 1st—50%, 2nd—30%, and 3rd—20%.
All red drum weighed in must be in the slot. You may weigh in only one red drum on Saturday (up until 12:00 midnight) and only one red drum on Sunday.
Prizes are awarded solely on the basis of fish weight. In the event of identical weights, the first fish weighed shall be declared the winner.
A participant may not place more than once in any one category, but a participant may place in multiple categories (for example, you can’t place twice in the Flounder category, but you can place once in Flounder, once in Sea Mullet, etc.).
Red drum do not count towards the Junior Angler, Lady Angler, and Senior Angler prizes.
The Junior Angler must be 14-years-old or younger. Anyone 14-years-old or younger is automatically considered a junior angler.
The Senior Angler must be at least 60-years-old or older. Any male 60-years-old or older is automatically considered a senior angler.
By signing the entry form, the participant consents that the Crystal Coast Surf Fishing Challenge may use without payment or restrictions any photographs in which he or she appears for any purpose whatsoever, including but not limited to resale, advertising, commercial, or promotional material.
Anglers that appear to be in first or second place on Sunday morning in any division (including the TWT) must make it to Tournament HQ (the location of Awards) by 12:30 pm to participate in a polygraph test. Showing up late or not showing up at all will postpone and/or cancel the reception of any tournament winnings.
Any angler, if directed by the tournament committee, must submit to a polygraph test within 72 hours after the last fish has been weighed. This decision is at the sole discretion of the tournament committee. Should the test be failed or if the angler fails to participate in the polygraph test within the 72 hours, the tournament committee reserves the right to forfeit all winnings awarded to the winner in question.
All protests made to the tournament committee shall be accompanied by a $200 cash deposit. All protests shall be made no later than one hour after the last fish has been weighed. The $200 cash deposit will be returned if the tournament committee upholds the protest. The $200 cash deposit will become the property of the Crystal Coast Surf Fishing Challenge if the protest is not upheld. All decisions of the tournament committee shall be final.
The tournament committee has the right to refuse entry from any applicant. If an entry is refused, then 100% of the applicant’s entry fee will be returned.
All participants are responsible for reading and following all rules and regulations set forth by the Crystal Coast Surf Fishing Challenge.

Questions? Contact Gary Hurley at (910) 452-6378 or surf@fishermanspost.com.