Offshore Mania

OFFSHORE MANIA

KING IN THE SOUTH

EVENT INFORMATION AND OFFICIAL RULES

FORMAT: This is an offshore fishing tournament.  The tournament is scheduled for June 24, 2023.  If the tournament directors determine that it is not safe to fish(outlined in the weather section below) offshore on June 24, the tournament will be rescheduled for June 25, 2023.  If both days are un-fishable offshore, we will hold an inshore tournament on June 25, 2023 with the boundaries and species identified below. A voluntary Captain’s meeting will be held at the Sea Oat Pavilion on Friday June 23, 2023 at 4:00.  We will announce at this time whether the tournament will be going forward on June 24, 2023 as planned or whether it will be moved to June 25 due to weather considerations. 

Registration will be capped for this event at 100 participants. Registration will close at 6:00 pm on June 23, 2023 

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, and a dedicated lifeguard with jet-ski will be available for call outs if an angler is in need of help. 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 will shotgun launch from the beach at the Navarre Kayak Launch. The boundaries shall include all publicly accessible waters from this launch. Anglers must launch and return to the Navarre Kayak Launch.  NO FAD (Fish Aggregating Device) FISHING is allowed.

In the event that we are unable to fish offshore, we will hold an inshore tournament.  The boundaries for this tournament will be any publicly accessible waters from Pensacola Pass to Destin Pass.  

TIME: The official shotgun 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. REMINDER: Be courteous, DO NOT BLOCK LAUNCHES. Anglers must sign in at weigh station by 2:00 PM.

OBJECT: The heaviest total weight of up to five legal fish of the following species:  1) Any type of Snapper including Red, Mutton, Lane, Mangrove, Vermillion, etc.  2) Cobia; 3) King Mackerel; 4) Spanish Mackerel; 5) Blackfin Tuna; 6) Wahoo; 7) Hogfish; 8) Black Sea Bass; 9) Dolphin or Mahi Mahi; 10) Tripletail and 11) Grouper including Black, Red, Scamp, Yellowfin, Rock Hind/Red Hind, Coney/Graysby, Yellowedge/Misty, Speckled Hind and Snowy.  An angler can submit any five fish combination of the above as long as it is legal to possess those fish.  

Each fish will be measured with a closed mouth and a pinched tail to ensure that it meets the minimum legal size.

In the event the tournament is moved to inshore, then the object will be the heaviest total weight of up to One Speckled Trout (15” minimum.  Angler cannot possess more than one trout over 19”.  Anglers cannot possess more than 3 trout per day), One Redfish (18” minimum and 27” maximum.  If the tail touches 27” the fish is considered over.  Anglers are allowed to possess only one redfish per day), and One Flounder (14” minimum.  Anglers cannot possess more than five flounder per person).

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 de-hooking 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 will take place at the Sea Oat Pavilion at the Kayak Launch on Navarre Beach. Each angler must be signed in by 2:00 PM.  The weigh-in will begin at 3:00 PM.  Sign in time is a tiebreaker in the event of a tie.  Any angler not signed in by 2:00 PM 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. If you have not weighed in your fish and are not present by 3:00 you will not be allowed to weigh in your fish, i.e., don’t leave the weigh in area to go to the bar. 

CHECK IN/OUT:  All Anglers must check in with the tournament director before launching.  The tournament director will be on the beach before the 5:30 a.m. launch time.  Additionally, each angler must check out when arriving back to shore.  If the angler does not intend on going to the weigh in, please text the tournament director at 504-201-1200 with your name so he can mark you safe and off the water.  

ENTRY FEES: The entry fee is $75.00 per participant.

There is a $10 calcutta for the heaviest Red Snapper.
There is a $10 calcutta for the heaviest single Fish (other than Red Snapper, must be included species in object section above). 

In the event of an inshore tournament, the amounts paid for the Heaviest Red Snapper Calcutta will go towards Mule Trout and the amounts paid for Heaviest Single Fish (other than Red Snapper) will go towards Saddle Flounder.

100% of the entry fee (after deduction for expenses, including permit, insurance, lifeguard, etc.~$25) is split to pay out the individual awards.

1-19 Paid Entries = One (1) place paid out

20-29 Paid Entries = Two (2) places paid out

30-39 Paid Entries = Three (3) places paid out

40-49 Paid Entries = Four (4) places paid out
50-59 Paid Entries = Five (5) places paid out
60-69 Paid Entries = Six (6) places paid out

ETC

Minimum payout = $50 with cash differentials provided by BCKFC.

QUALIFICATION TO BCKFC CHAMPIONSHIP:  The top 3 non-qualified anglers will qualify for entry to the BCKFC Championship upon payment of the BCKFC Membership fee ($26.50) and payment of championship tournament entry fee. If an angler chooses not to participate in that tournament, his/her spot will roll down to the next non-qualified angler.

For BCKFC Members, this tournament does not count towards AOY Points, nor does it count towards payment for a second tournament to qualify for the championship.  However, a BCKFC member can qualify for the Championship by finishing as a top 3 non-qualified angler in this tournament.  

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. 

-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.

-Contestants are allowed to wade fish or fish off the bank but ONLY as long as the angler remains within 100’ of their LAUNCHED paddle craft. Launched means your kayak is partly in fishable water, not a parking lot puddle.

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

PRIVATE LAUNCHES & PRIVATE FISHING AREAS: Anglers must launch from publicly accessible launch locations. There is an exception that an angler may launch from private property as long as it is not further than ½ mile from the nearest publicly accessible launch location. Combat launches are allowed so long as all anglers have the legal right to launch from that location. Fishing behind gated areas of the marsh is not allowed unless the angler has arranged for all other participants to also fish the area that day AND has made that possibility known to all by posting appropriate information on our forums at least one week in advance.

WATER 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 (including pictures in CPS events). In CPS events, anglers (participant or not) may not aid in taking pictures of fish in any way.

PRESERVATION of FISH: For weigh in events, “Air drying” of fish or the tails of redfish is NOT allowed. 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.

Salt may not be added to fish bags. 

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. Tails of trout and flounder will be manually pinched to obtain maximum length. Tails of larger redfish will be pinched using the standardized tool attached to the measuring board, which, if needed and used, will be moved to the 26.5” line to pinch the tail of larger redfish.

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.