Offshore Mania II

OFFSHORE MANIA II

EVENT INFORMATION AND OFFICIAL RULES

FORMAT: This is an offshore fishing tournament.  The tournament is scheduled for June 21-22, 2024.  Anglers can fish either day or both days; however, they must weigh in their catch on the day they caught it.  If the tournament directors determine that it is not safe to fish offshore (outlined in the weather section below) on June 21 or 22, either or both days may be cancelled. A voluntary Captain’s meeting will be held at Windjammers on the Pier, 8579 Gulf Blvd, Navarre, Florida on Thursday June 20, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.  We will announce at this time whether the tournament will be going forward on June 21, 2024 as planned. 

Weather Considerations: The tournament may be shortened or postponed for weather events including but not limited to the below considerations:

1. Active lightning storm within the vicinity of the launch/fishing area
2. Small craft advisory in effect 
3. Forecast surf conditions greater than 3ft

Safety Considerations: It is highly recommended anglers carry a waterproof VHF radio and fish in pairs or groups during the event. An event specific VHF channel will be announced before the event. Anglers may help other anglers if safety is a concern, but may not help in aiding fishing in any way. If any angler must be helped back to shore by a jet-ski, boat or non-tournament angler they will be DQ’d. 

BOUNDARIES: All anglers are required to launch from the beach at the Navarre Beach Kayak Launch. The boundaries shall include all publicly accessible waters from this launch. Anglers must launch and return to the Navarre Beach Kayak Launch.  NO FAD (Fish Aggregating Device) FISHING is allowed.

TIME: The official launch & lines in time is 5:30 AM. You may launch your kayak prior to 5:30 AM and stage within the immediate area of the launch, but DO NOT travel forth or begin fishing UNTIL 5:30 AM. Additionally, you can launch anytime after 5:30 AM.  REMINDER: Be courteous, DO NOT BLOCK LAUNCHES. 

OBJECT: This is a two-day event with multiple categories.  An angler can place in multiple categories but only once in each individual category. For example, an angler cannot take first and second place in the red snapper division, but can place in the red snapper division and the pelagic division.  Anglers must weigh in their fish on the day they are caught.  The angler’s heaviest fish from either day will count.  

DIVISIONS:

RED SNAPPER DIVISION:  The single heaviest red snapper.

REEF FISH DIVISION:  The single heaviest legal reef fish (meaning that species is in season) to consist of the following species:   1) Any type of Snapper including Mutton, Lane, Mangrove, Vermillion, etc., except for Red Snapper; 2) Hogfish; 3) Black Sea Bass; and 4) Grouper including Black, Red, Scamp, Yellowfin, Rock Hind/Red Hind, Coney/Graysby, Yellowedge/Misty, Speckled Hind and Snowy. 

PELAGIC DIVISION: The single heaviest legal pelagic fish (meaning that species is in season) to consist of the following species:   1) Cobia; 2) King Mackerel; 3) Spanish Mackerel; 4) Blackfin Tuna; 5) Wahoo; 6) Dolphin or Mahi Mahi; and 7) Tripletail.

THE OFFSHORE MANIA DIVISION: The heaviest combined weight consisting of up to one fish from each division, three fish max.  A three fish submission will beat any two or single fish submission regardless of total weight. A two fish submission will beat any single fish submission regardless of total weight.

Each fish will be measured per state regulations to ensure that it meets the minimum legal size.

LEGAL TACKLE / BAIT: Artificial, live and/or or dead bait is allowed. Scent infused baits such as Gulp, etc… are legal. Scented dips, dyes and sprays such as Bang attractant, Pro-Cure, Dip-n-Glo, etc… are legal. Chum is allowed. If a bait or attractant is allowed by law, then it is allowed in this tournament. All fish must be caught in a sporting manner using a rod and reel setup. Trolling, and the use of up to 2 setups at a time is allowed. Trot lines, jug lines, traps, etc. are not allowed. Anglers are required to comply with all Florida State Laws relative to handling of reef fish including using non-stainless steel, non-offset circle hooks when fishing with natural bait.  Additionally, each kayak must possess a dehooking device and a descending device or venting tool rigged and ready for use (this requirement is effective April 1, 2023 in Florida).

WEIGH-IN: The weigh-in for both days will take place at Windjammers on the Pier.  The weigh-in for Friday will begin at 2:00 PM.  Each angler must be signed in by 3:00 PM on Friday.  The weigh-in for Saturday will begin at 1:00.  Each angler must be signed in by 2:00 PM on Saturday.  Sign in time is a tiebreaker in the event of a tie.  Any angler not signed in by the deadline will not be allowed to have their catch weighed. There will be no proxy sign-ins, a participant must appear in person and physically sign-in. You must be present to weigh in your fish before 3:00 PM on Friday and 2:00 PM on Saturday.  If you have not weighed in your fish and are not present by the sign in deadline you will not be allowed to weigh in your fish, i.e., don’t leave the weigh in area to go to the bar.  The award ceremony will take place immediately after all fish are weighed on Saturday. 

ENTRY FEES: The entry fee is $100.00 per participant.

100% of the entry fee (after deduction for expense) is split to pay out the individual awards.

The total number of places will be determined by the number of entrants. More entrants = more places.

There will only be one place awarded for the Offshore Mania Division.  

GENERAL RULES:

PARTICIPATION AND ELIGIBILITY: Participation is open to anyone 18 years of age or older. Minors are eligible to participate as long as they are fishing with a parent or legal guardian and the parent or legal guardian signs the release form. All participants represent that they are physically and mentally competent and fit and able to participate. By entering, all participants agree to assume all risks of personal injury, death, and damage to or loss of property and further agree to indemnify and hold BCFKC and the County of Santa Rosa and as to each, their officers, members, agents, and sponsors harmless from and against any and all claims, liabilities, and causes of action resulting directly or indirectly from participation.

FISHING LICENSE: All anglers are required to have a valid Florida Saltwater Fishing license.

KAYAK/WATERCRAFT REGULATIONS:

-Watercraft propulsion is restricted to paddle, pedal, or pole. Motors are not permitted.

-Vessel that the manufacturer identifies and sells as a kayak, including inflatable kayaks and modular kayaks, stand-up paddle boards (SUP) and canoes. NO soloskiffs or vessels marketed at skiffs allowed. 

-No “homemade” kayaks, sailboats, johnboats, pirogues, coracles, rowboats, dinghies, skiffs, float tubes, inflatable rafts or rigid inflatable boats (e.g., Zodiac), pontoon boats, pontoon-style pond boats, twin-hull watercraft or similar.

-The use of a manual or motorized anchor system is permitted.

-Mother shipping, tethering, holding or any transportation coordination with a non-competitor is strictly prohibited.

-Vessel must be 9’ minimum and shorter than 18’. 

-Other watercraft specifically approved as exceptions in advance of competition by the BCKFC Board 

-Catamaran style personal fishing vessels complying with all other regulations will be eligible. 

-By officially entering, contestants agree to submit their kayak to an inspection by BCKFC personnel.

ATER COURTESY / ENCROACHMENT: Do your best not to disturb someone else’s fishing area, by encroachment, or noise. An angler officially establishes his/her fishing area by having their craft anchored in place. If you come upon an angler in an egress area, as quietly as you can, ask which side he or she would like you to cross at. Respect others and use the golden rule.

PROTESTS: All protests must be written and submitted electronically (text/email/direct message from social media) within 30 minutes of the conclusion of “weigh in” to be considered. The tournament director is the final authority on deciding the merits/outcomes of a protest.  All anglers are encouraged to report cheating.

CHEATING/FOUL PLAY: All anglers are encouraged to report violations. Cheating and contest fraud in a fishing tournament is a felony crime in the state of Louisiana. Bayou Coast will enforce a zero-tolerance policy with regard to cheating.

POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION: All participants, by signing up, agree to take a polygraph examination if requested. Any participant can be asked to submit to a polygraph examination. No explanation shall be required from the hosts of the tournament as to why a specific individual is asked to submit to a polygraph examination. Refusal to submit to or failure of a polygraph examination will result in disqualification from the tournament, forfeiture of any and all prizes / awards, and potential banishment from all future Bayou Coast events. No refunds for tournament fees will be granted for person(s) refusing to submit to or failing a polygraph examination.

RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE: A waiver, release of liability, and covenant not to sue are part of the entry form. It is required that all contestants take responsibility for themselves while participating in event activities. Please DO NOT let your competitive nature push you into doing dangerous things. You must agree to the Waiver to participate. The Waiver is in the online registration page linked below. BE SAFE, BE SEEN, AND WEAR YOUR PFD!

DEPTH FINDERS: Depth finders / fish finders are allowed.

COMMUNICATION: No electronic communication with non-registered anglers during tournament hours, unless not fishing related (your spouse/kids, work, etc). No pre-arranged coordination with any non-registered anglers on the water for the purpose of scouting or locating fish during tournament hours. 

PFD REQUIREMENT: You must properly wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD while afloat in your watercraft during all Bayou Coast events. PFD’s must be worn outside of the angler’s outermost layer of clothing. Failure to comply with this rule during competition could result in disqualification from the tournament. Disqualification will be determined by the Tournament Director based on investigation of any specific incident. PFD’s may only be briefly removed on the water for the purpose of adding, removing, or adjusting clothing while an angler is stationary and not actively fishing.

RULE CHANGES: Interpretation of rules is exclusively left to the Tournament Directors and Bayou Coast Officers. The decisions of this group are final in all matters and are not subject to appeal. Please do your part in not providing a reason to place them in a position where they must make rulings, decisions, etc. Keep it simple, keep it clean, and when in doubt…do the right thing.

LEGAL FISH: Each participant must catch their own fish. You may not give fish to another participant. You may not net a fish for another (adult) participant. Youths should hook and retrieve their own catch. A parent/guardian may net fish for them and may handle the fish once it is netted. 

PRESERVATION of FISH:  All parts of all fish should be placed on ice and maintained for freshness. Fish will only be accepted for the weigh-in if they are in a cooler bag, ice chest or other appropriate container that also contains ice. The entire fish should be in the container. Do not appear at the weigh-in with fish that are on a stringer and are not iced in a proper container or bag.

Only authorized persons will be allowed in the weigh-in station. Please try not to distract these volunteers while they go about their tasks. Weighed / Entered fish may or may not be returned as per the weigh-master’s discretion. The largest fish will be determined by weight. In the event of a tie, the first contestant to have signed in will be considered the winner while the other contestant will be dropped to the next position.

Fish will be bent, loosened and manipulated before being measured with a pinched tail. 

DRONE/UAS USAGE: Tournament participants are not allowed to use unmanned aircraft systems (drones) during the tournament day to scout for fish, spy on other anglers, or any other means that may be viewed as benefiting/advancing their fishing.

WEATHER: Tournament days may be shortened or canceled due to unsafe weather or water conditions. The decision to shorten or to cancel will be left totally to the discretion of the Tournament Director. A 4-hour period shall constitute a day of fishing.

REFUND POLICY: No refunds will be given.