FAQ
When does the tournament run?+
June 11 through August 15, 2026. 66 days. Captains declare their fishing periods the evening before.
How many periods can each boat fish?+
Each registered boat may fish a maximum of 2 fishing periods during the 66-day window. A period is either a daytime window (8 a.m. to 7 p.m.) or a nighttime window (8 p.m. to 7 a.m.). Allowed combinations: two daytime periods, two nighttime periods, one of each on different dates, OR a back-to-back day-then-night counted as 2 periods (which must be declared in advance).
Can I fish a back-to-back day and night?+
Yes — you can fish all day, then continue through that night, but ONLY if you declare both periods in your initial declaration before 8:00 p.m. the night before. You cannot decide to extend into a back-to-back period while offshore or after the declaration deadline. A back-to-back counts as 2 of your 2 allowed periods.
How much is registration?+
General Tournament entry: $600 through June 1, $700 from June 2 — paid online at registration. Optional Calcuttas: Two-Fish Aggregate $500, Daytime Big Fish $300, Nighttime Big Fish $300, Biggest Pomfret $100. Calcutta fees are due in cash or check at the captain's meeting on June 2 — Calcuttas are not paid online.
When does online registration close?+
Online registration closes June 10, 2026 at 11:59pm EDT. After that, online sign-ups are no longer accepted — the deadline is a hard cutoff.
How do payouts work?+
100% of all entry and Calcutta fees are paid out to the winning boats — the tournament keeps none of the buy-in monies. General Tournament entry pays 75% to first place and 25% to second place (heaviest single qualifying swordfish overall). Each Calcutta also pays 75% to first place and 25% to second place. Single-qualifier rule: if only one boat weighs a qualifying fish for a Calcutta, that boat receives 100% of that pot. Empty rule: a Calcutta pot rolls into the General Tournament pool only if no qualifying fish is weighed for that Calcutta.
How do I declare a fishing period?+
Text BOTH 904-558-5900 AND 954-336-3368 before 8:00 p.m. the night before fishing. Declaration must include boat name, captain, the specific calendar date, and the period (Day, Night, or back-to-back Day+Night). One free undeclare per boat per tournament.
When can I undeclare?+
Day-fishing declarations may be undeclared by 8:00 a.m. on the declared morning. Night-fishing declarations may be undeclared by 8:00 p.m. on the declared night. One free undeclare per boat; subsequent undeclares are subject to committee review.
What are the boundaries?+
29°25.000'N to 30°55.000'N, Atlantic Ocean only. In-bound hookup with out-of-bound drift requires continuous video and is at committee final authority.
What is the minimum fish size?+
50 inches fork to jaw. Weighmaster final. Mutilated fish eligible if 50"+ fork to jaw.
Are electric reels allowed?+
Yes. 6 lines max attached to boat, 2 hooks per line, 1 bait. Electric reels: 2 hooks per bait per reel max. Recreational buoys are permitted only when attached to a reel; commercial buoys and handline gear are prohibited.
How does the Aggregate work?+
Two-fish total. A single fish can win Aggregate if it outweighs another team's two-fish total.
When do I have to check in?+
Check-in is required for every declared fishing day AND every declared fishing night. Day fishers: check in by midnight on the night of your fishing day. Night fishers: return to the inlet in the AM and check in immediately — no later than noon. Failure to check in voids forward eligibility for that period. Fish caught at night must be weighed the same day as your morning check-in, during the applicable weigh window (Mon–Sat 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sun 9 to 11 a.m. at Beamish only).
What is the hooked-fish provision?+
If a fish is hooked during your declared period and the fight extends beyond your check-in window, video evidence is required showing (a) clear evidence that a fish is in fact hooked, (b) the sun up (day-declared) or down (night-declared) at the time of hook-up, (c) the tournament-provided boat number, and (d) a visual timestamp at the time of recording. Submit immediately to the tournament committee for a check-in allowance.
When and where do I submit photos and videos?+
All required photos and videos must capture your tournament-issued boat number and must be submitted to the tournament BY your check-in time via the tournament-designated upload portal — NOT at weigh-in. Photo proof is required for any landed fish to be eligible for weigh-in. Video proof is required for inbound-hookup-with-out-of-bound-drift scenarios. All submissions must be unedited.
Where and when is weigh-in?+
Default weigh stations and hours: Monday through Saturday — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at either Beamish Custom Tackle (76 Dockside Dr #111, St. Augustine, FL 32084) or Stellar Marine Services (14603 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250). Sunday — 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Beamish only (Stellar Marine is closed Sunday). NEFMA Clubhouse (3030 Harbor Dr, St. Augustine, FL 32084) is reserved for fish that cannot be transported on land — weigh time per tournament discretion.
Where is the captain's meeting?+
June 2, 2026, 7:00 p.m., NEFMA Clubhouse, 3030 Harbor Dr, St. Augustine, FL 32084. Calcutta cash/check payments due at this meeting.
Is polygraph required?+
Subject to committee discretion. Refusal results in disqualification.
What about weather?+
Captain solely responsible. Tournament holds no liability. Committee may suspend; no obligation to extend the window.
How do refunds work?+
No refunds after lines-in (June 11). Pre-tournament withdrawals refunded minus $50 processing fee.
How do I file a protest?+
By August 17, 11:59 p.m. EDT. $600 fee. Refunded if upheld. Partial-uphold cases at committee discretion. Committee decision final.
Who runs the tournament?+
Tournament Director: Mike Shipe. The committee has final authority on rule interpretation, eligibility, weigh-in disputes, protests, weather, payout, and discipline.
