ABC South Texas 8th Annual Bay Fishing Tournament
Rockport, Texas
September 16th & 17th, 2022
Tournament Rules and Information
Two Divisions, Unguided and Guided
A Team consists of one boat and a maximum of 4 anglers (Unguided Division), or a maximum of 4 anglers plus a guide (Guided Division).
“Unguided means that no Team member may have held or currently holds a guide’s license or fished in a professional tournament, is or ever been a paid professional guide, outfitter, etc.
Cost per Angler is $125.00
All Fish must be of legal size and in edible condition.
All fish must be caught during tournament hours. Fishing may begin October 9, 2021 at Safe Light, and YOU MUST BE IN THE WEIGH-IN LINE at the covered weigh-in station at Paws & Taws (Rockport, Texas) BY 3:00 p.m.
– ABSOLUTELY NO EXCEPTIONS.
You may fish by any legal means, using artificial or live bait. One pole per angler at a time. As precaution, you are reminded that Texas passed a new criminal statute a few years ago, making it a punishable offense to misrepresent a fish caught in connection with a tournament in which prize money maybe won.
The guide may cast for the angler and net the catch. However, angler must retrieve and land his or her own fish.
In the event of a tie, winner will be determined by first total length of the fish on the stringer and then by girth.
All anglers shall abide by all Texas Parks and Wildlife rules and regulations regarding boating and fishing to include bags limits and slot size limits.
Anglers must provide their own boats, guides, license, food, refreshments and accommodations.
There are no water or fishing boundaries. The only limitation is the time of the weigh in .
All entry fees must be collected (or billing arrangements secured for ABC Members) at or before registration.
At least one team member must attend the Mandatory Captain’s Meeting September 16th at 6:00p.m. at Drifters located between Rockport and Aransas Pass, TX.
A Stringer consists of a maximum of 3 fish and includes no more than 1 redfish and 2 trout.
Redfish must be within the slot, 20” to 28”. Tagged, Oversized Redfish are NOT allowed.
Each Team is allowed to weigh in (1) trout over 17” – 23”. No Oversized Trout will be considered.
Calcutta Friday, September 16th – Please note that this is a Self-Funded Pots beginning immediately after the Captain’s Meeting with a $300 minimum buy in per boat. CASH PAYOUTS for both Unguided (1st 2nd and 3rd) and Guided (1st 2nd and 3rd) Divisions. These pots will be for a Team’s total weight of their stringer (a stringer consisting of maximum 3 fish (1) redfish which must measure between 20” and 28” in length and (2) trout with a maximum of one trout over 23”). ONLY boats which are bought during the Calcutta and paid in full at the conclusion of the evening will be Eligible for heavy stringer pots. If payment is not fully paid by that evening the Team / Boat will be disqualified from Calcutta completely NO EXCEPTIONS. Prior to the close of the Calcutta , a list of boats that have not been purchased and any contestant may submit a closed/silent bid I the minimum amount of $300.00 with the highest bid for the boat winning the right to participate in the Calcutta for that boat.
Heaviest Redfish and Heaviest Trout Categories with CASH PAYOUTS:
All paid Anglers (un-guided and guided) are automatically entered into the Heaviest Redfish (CASH PAYOUTS 1-5 places) and Heaviest Trout (CASH PAYOUTS 1-5). Teams can only enter 1 redfish which measures between 20” – 28” in length and 1 trout (the trout can be the trout over 17”) prior to the close into this event. This event is determined by weight. In the event of a tie, the winner will be determined by the total length of the fish.
The weigh-in will take place at Drifters, we will be easy to find! Weigh in station will be available beginning at 2 p.m. You must be in line by 3 p.m. (our weigh masters are provided courtesy of Tackle Town).
The weigh masters request that teams approach the scales with their stringers and or individual fish in the fish baskets, which will be provided at the tournament. Remember; bring only your selected 3 fish stringers or individual fish to the weigh-in.
The Awards Presentation will start after weigh-in is complete at Paws & Taws. Finger foods will be provided during the Awards. There will be some door prizes given away at the Calcutta, and you must be present to Win!
All Winners are Subject to Lie Detector Test.
In Case of inclement weather …………we’ll adjust and communicate.
Good Luck, Be Safe, and Have Fun!