Holy City Tarpon Tournament Rules & Regulations
Maximum of 5 people per boat
Fishing Days: Friday August 18th and Saturday August 19th
Boat Must Launch From A Charleston County Boat Ramp, Marina or Dock
NO LAUNCHING BEFORE 5:00AM
Lines In: 6:00am
Lines out: 4:00pm
-Most releases will determine winner. In the case of a tie, the winner will be determined by who caught the first fish.
Fly Fishing: Fly-caught fish will be counted toward overall tournament as well as a separate fly division. The winner of the fly division will also be determined by most released fish and time of release.
Catches: A fish is considered caught when an angler has the leader in hand or swivel to the rod tip. A video or photograph will need to be taken with the fish (clearly identifiable) and leader, or swivel, in the same picture with the provided tournament card. The time stamp on the photograph will be the official time the fish is caught. All teams should have a camera or cell phone that is able to capture a real-time record of the moment the photo is taken. Photos of jumping or rolling fish are inadequate.
Fly fishing category: Any boat can participate in the fly fishing category and it can be done in combination with conventional fishing. To have your fly-caught fish counted in the fly category, a video of the angler fighting the fish on fly with the provided tournament card in view must be available in addition to the leadered fish picture.
-We ask that every team try their best to send in the photos of caught fish as they catch them to help prevent a flood of text/photos to sort through at the end of the day. If you are fishing an area with limited service and cannot, we understand. However, all photos of caught fish must be submitted to Kaitlyn Dobbins (386) 283-1321 by 6:00pm on the day they fish to be counted (NO EXCEPTIONS).
Rules:
-Absolutely no removing the fish from the water. Anyone reported doing so will be immediately disqualified.
-Tournament participants must adhere to all SCDNR rules and have a valid saltwater fishing license. No exception for charter boats.
-No launching the boat outside of Charleston County
-No launching prior to 5:00am (GPS photo of launch location and time must be available for review if you win)
-No fishing prior to 6am “lines in” or after 4pm “lines out”. If you hook a tarpon at 3:45pm; you better land it quick, cause any photos time-stamped after 4pm will no be qualified.
-Leader: 10’ max w/ single hooks only (when fishing baits) Lures with multiple hooks are permitted as long as said lure is not tipped or fished with bait.
-Anyone protesting another team for a rules violation must do so to the tournament committee not later than 6:30pm day of infraction. The tournament committee will settle any protest and their decision will be final.
Weather
All anglers will fish at their own discretion and at their own risk. If bad weather causes the cancellation of one of the two days of fishing, the tournament will become a one-day tournament. The judges’ committee shall be responsible for making the decision.
Indemnity
All anglers will fish at their own risk. All anglers agree to indemnify and hold harmless all members of the Tournament Committee, Directors, Sponsors and their agents and employees from any and all liability, loss or damage they may suffer as a result of this fishing tournament.