General Rules:
1. Eligibility:
- The tournament is open to all youth anglers aged 3-16 years, divided into two age groups:
- Group 1: Ages 3-9
- Group 2: Ages 10-16
- There will be separate categories for boys and girls within each age group.
2. Divisions:
- Surf Division: Fishing from the shore/beach.
- Boat Division: Fishing from a boat (participants must arrange their own boats).
- Each participant must declare which division (Surf or Boat) they will compete in before the tournament begins.
3. Tournament Dates & Times:
- The tournament will take place on Saturday, November 2nd (Rain/weather date Sunday November 3rd)
- Fishing from the Shore will open at 6 AM
- Fishing from the Bay will open at 7 15 AM – Boats will meet in the channel just outside Sandy Hook Bay Marina at 6 50 AM for a drone shot – blast off
4. Registration:
- Registration is free and must be completed on the REEL TIME app before the tournament begins and each youth must register as an angler
- By registering, all participants agree to indemnify and hold harmless all organizers, sponsors, and volunteers and agree to the terms of the hold harmless agreement
5. Safety:
- All participants are required to wear life jackets when on a boat in the Boat Division.
- Participants must follow all local fishing and boating safety regulations. Each participant must acquaint themselves with all safety regulations and best practices.
- A parent or guardian must accompany ALL participants. No youth will be permitted to participate in the tournament without a parent or guardian.
6. Fishing Rules:
1. Tackle & Gear:
- Lures and fishing gear must adhere to all local rules pertaining to striped bass best practices.
- Please reference the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife via to NJ DEP website for best practices
- Each participant must use their own fishing rod and reel
2. Fishing Locations:
- Surf Division: Fishing is limited to all on NJ permitted beaches
- Boat Division: Participants may fish within 15 miles of Sandy Hook Bay Marina. All boats must remain within these boundaries.
- Fishing outside the designated areas is strictly prohibited.
3. Species & Size:
- This is a catch-and-release tournament.
- Only striped bass ("stripers") will count towards the tournament.
- Fish must be measured using the provided TAK Waterman measuring tape. Only fish meeting the legal minimum length for striped bass (or any tournament-specific length rules) will count.
4. Scoring & Prizes:
- All scoring will be done via the REEL TIME app and each participating angler should orient themselves with the app by registering and ensuring their name is on the angler list. Photos will be uploaded with the fish clearly pictured next to the TAK Waterman official tape measure.
- Scoring will be based on the length of the fish. The longest fish in each division and age category wins.
- In the event of a tie (two fish of the same length), the first fish submitted will be declared the winner.
- **Grand Prizes:** One for the longest fish in each of the following categories:
- Boys 3-9 (Surf Division and Boat Division)
- Girls 3-9 (Surf Division and Boat Division)
- Boys 10-16 (Surf Division and Boat Division)
- Girls 10-16 (Surf Division and Boat Division)
- Additional prizes may be awarded for other achievements (e.g., most fish caught, sportsmanship).
Catch & Release
- All fish must be released after being measured.
- Fish must be handled with care, and participants should avoid keeping the fish out of water for too long to ensure their survival.
-Please limit the time out of water, don’t unnecessarily stress the fish, and observe best practices when handling striped bass.
https://nj.gov/dep/fgw/pdf/marine/help_strbas_survive.pdf
Conduct:
1. **Sportsmanship:**
- All participants must display good sportsmanship throughout the tournament.
- Cheating or any form of misconduct will result in disqualification.
2. Respect for Nature
- Participants must dispose of trash properly and respect the environment.
3. Respect for Other Anglers:
- Participants must respect the space of other anglers and maintain a fair distance while fishing.
Weather Policy:
- The tournament will proceed rain or shine. However, in the event of severe weather, the tournament director reserves the right to postpone or cancel the event for safety reasons. Participants will be notified in advance if changes occur.
Submission of Catches:
- All catches must be photographed with the fish lying flat against the measuring tool provided.
- Photos must be submitted to the tournament officials (via text or in-person) by [insert time].