| This is an introduction for anyone who would like to | | | | system depending on tournament rules. |
| participate in a surf fishing tournament. Surf fishing | | | | Point Systems For Scoring |
| tournaments are a great way to enjoy this exciting | | | | Tournaments that run for several days are usually |
| sport. | | | | based on a point system. Points can be based on |
| Surf fishing tournaments can run for a day, several | | | | several things. You can get points for things like fish |
| days or even weeks. Most tournaments are used as | | | | length, weight, practicing catch & release and |
| a fund raiser for a nonprofit organization. There are | | | | type of fish. Sometimes there are categories to get |
| all kinds of tournaments you can enter. In one | | | | bonus points too. Photos are often used as proof of |
| respect they will have a lot of similarities. All the | | | | catch with supporting evidence. |
| tournaments will have designated boundaries and | | | | Handling, Tagging & Releasing Fish |
| requirements to compete in their event. | | | | Lots of surf fishing tournaments promote good |
| Surf Fishing Tournament Registration and Kick Off | | | | conservation measures with catch and release |
| Orientation | | | | practices. They publish instructions for handling fish |
| Surf fishing tournaments are conducted in a few | | | | and releasing them with the least impact to the fish. |
| different ways but all of them are very similar. | | | | Sometimes provisions are made with instructions for |
| Registration fees vary from a few dollars to a three | | | | tagging the fish for future data collection. One |
| digit fee to get in. Some will have registrations prior | | | | tournament I know of has had an "adopt a fish" |
| to the tournament and others have their registrations | | | | tagging program. In order to collect data for a study |
| on the day of the event. Either way at some point | | | | that was being done, you could tag your fish and |
| after registrations you can expect to attend a kick | | | | then get follow up information regarding future fish |
| off orientation. The purpose of the meeting is to | | | | activity. |
| make sure everyone is familiar with all the rules and | | | | Prizes and Awards |
| requirements of the tournament. The first (unwritten) | | | | Winning participants are rewarded in several ways. |
| rule is always "know the rules". Don't miss the | | | | Trophies, money and championship titles are some of |
| orientation meeting. Even if your familiar with the | | | | the ways the winners are recognized. Cash awards |
| rules there is always something important you need | | | | can run into the four or five figure range. There are |
| to know that may get you disqualified. | | | | lot of chances to win between the many categories |
| Team Entries | | | | and divisions setup. |
| Some tournaments will have team entries of up to | | | | Cheaters |
| six members. The teams have a captain appointed | | | | Unfortunately there are always cheaters when it |
| who has additional responsibilities for team | | | | comes to winning money. Tournament officials put a |
| management. Teams usually have a designated | | | | lot of effort into preventing it. By submitting an entry |
| station to fish and special rules as well. It's another | | | | form you will often simultaneous agree to submit to |
| interesting way to participate in a surf fishing | | | | a polygraph test if a challenge arises. It's sad to think |
| tournament. | | | | that a fun event would be tarnished by such an act. |
| Tournaments Within a Tournament | | | | Protests |
| Often there are special tournaments you can enter | | | | This is handled in an interesting way. Most |
| within the main tournament event. Usually this | | | | tournaments require a fee to be accompanied with a |
| requires additional cost and separate awards are | | | | formal written protest. You submit a protest, pay the |
| handed out. These are like side tournaments for | | | | fee and if the protest turns out to be valid and held |
| special situations or results that can be achieved while | | | | up by the officials, you get your money returned. |
| participating in the main tournament. It's not just | | | | This prevents a lot of bogus protests and |
| another category. It's an event within an event. | | | | accusations. I've know of tournaments that require a |
| Multiple Categories of Surf Fish | | | | $200 fee to be accompanied with your protest. If |
| The tournaments will usually have several different | | | | you're going to protest you better know what you're |
| categories of surf fish species to compete in. That | | | | complaining about. |
| makes it nice because you can qualify for several | | | | Surf fishing is such an exciting sport. Entering a surf |
| different kinds of fish caught and have more | | | | fishing tournament is just one of the many ways to |
| opportunities to win something. If you should happen | | | | enjoy it. If this is something that you think you'd like |
| to get into a school or pod of fish there's a good | | | | to try don't be put off if you're just a beginner. It |
| chance to chalk up a winning entry. Winning entries | | | | wouldn't be the first time beginners luck took a first |
| can be based on size, weight, quantity or a point | | | | place. |