Rules and Regulations for Surf Division

  Please note that the tournament does off a one-day beach driving pass for those who have entered the tournament.  In order to receive this permit, you must take the Beach Driving Safety Quiz and pass by 80%.  You can take the quiz here:  https://www.emeraldisle-nc.org/beach-driving

1. All decisions made by the tournament committee are binding.
2. Eligible species are spanish mackerel, bluefish, speckled trout (aka. spotted seatrout) and sea mullet (aka. virginia mullet, whiting & mullet/kingfish). 
3. All fish will be weighed at EI Wildlife Ramp 6800 Emerald Drive, Emerald Isle, NC. 
4. Scales will open at 1:00 pm Sunday, September 29, 2024. 
5. Entries must be in line to weigh and be recognized by the tournament committee no later than 3:00 pm Sunday, September 29, 2024. 
6. Spanish mackerel must be 12 inches minimum FL, bluefish must be 12 inches minimum TL, speckled trout 14 inches minimum TL and sea mullet must be 10 inches minimum TL. 
7. Weigh-in procedures will be discussed at the captain’s meeting.
8. In the event more than one fish of the same weight are brought in, the fish entered first will be the winner.
9. All fish weighed in become the property of the tournament. 
10. Tournament is the angler's choice.
11. Fish in the Surf Division may be transported by auto to the scales.
12. Only one (1) primary prize per entry. 
13. Prizes are based on weight of the fish, not length.
14. Fish are subject to review by the tournament committee.
15. Fish must be caught by rod & reel.
16. Fish brought to weigh-in must not be mutilated, cut, speared, etc. The only marks acceptable are gaff holes. All hooks must be removed.
17. Surf entries in the tournament are limited to Bogue Banks (Emerald Isle to Fort Macon) shore only. NO BOATS ALLOWED. 
18. All official times will be determined based on the GPS time. 
19. All complaints must be submitted in writing to the weigh master within 1 hour of the last fish being weighed in the surf division on Saturday ,September 28 , 2024 with a $200 , cash deposit. If the protest is not upheld, the deposit becomes property of the tournament. 
20. It is the angler’s obligation to follow USCG, NCDMF, town, state and federal regulations. 
21. No entries will be accepted after 9:00 pm on Friday, September 27, 2024. 
22. All participants entering are subject to a polygraph exam. 
23. Entry numbers must be displayed at the weigh station. 
24. Any angler violating tournament rules will be disqualified for the entire tournament 
25. Angler MUST accompany any fish to be weighed in. Surf Division Rules 
26. Tournament recommends all anglers be represented at the captain's meeting
27. All activities on Sunday, September 29, 2024 will take place at EI Wildlife Ramp 6800 Emerald Drive, Emerald Isle, NC. 
28. Surf Division prizes are guaranteed. 
29. No checkout is required: No lines in the water before 7:00 am Saturday, September 28, 2024. 
30. Junior Angler is defined as 15 years of age or younger. 
31. Junior Anglers must accompany fish to the scales. 
32. Only (1) Junior Prize per Junior Angler.
33. Junior Angler’s fish does not qualify for a Surf Division Primary Prize. 
34. Junior Angler Surf Division does not have an entry fee but must follow all Surf Division Rules. 
35. All Junior Surf Anglers must be registered to qualify for the tournament. Junior Surf Anglers may register online or at the Captains Mtg. on Friday. 
36. A Junior Surf Angler may register for the Surf Division by registering and paying the entry fee. If the Junior Angler registers for the Surf Division the Junior Angler is only eligible for Surf Division Primary Prizes but not eligible for the Junior Surf Division prizes.
37. All sponsors and committee members are eligible to participate in the event. 
38. In the event the tournament is canceled and not rescheduled by the tournament committee in 2024, all entry fees will be refunded within 45 days. The tournament will announce via social media by 7:00 pm Thursday, September 26,2024 if weather or other issues lead to a cancellation or other schedule changes. 
39. Tournament committee will monitor VHF channel 72 and will be available by phone at a telephone# to be provided at the captains meeting. 
40. Tournament committee reserves the right to refuse an entry into the tournament. 
41. A signed sworn affidavit will be required of each individual who places a fish in competition for tournament prizes. Once an affidavit is signed the weight presented on the form is final. All protests shall be made prior to signing the form if the individual does not agree to the weight at that time. 
42. The tournament reserves the right to photograph any and all activities and to use those photographs for publicity on various media. 43. All prize $ winning anglers must complete a Federal Tax Form W-9 prior to receiving payment from the tournament. Federal Tax Form W-9 will be provided by the tournament. 
43. All participants in the 2024 Emerald Isle Fishing Tournament acknowledge and agree to Hold Harmless the Tournament's Board of Directors, Officers, committee members, volunteers, sponsors , and donors from any and all actions.

Rev. 2…..2024