Warrior Shootout 2024 - Inshore Fishing tournament

2024 WARRIOR SHOOTOUT - INSHORE Charity Fishing Tournament

Captains meeting March 9th at Bay Pines Marina Tiki Hut, 4999 Harbor Lights Dr, St. Petersburg, FL 33708. This event is to raise awareness to our men and women in uniform, those who have served, and remember those we have lost in service of this country. Reeling Freedom’s mission statement is to use the healing properties of being on or near the water to give back our Veterans, Active Duty, and First Responders by taking them boating/fishing.

All participants are encouraged to come to the captains meeting.

Registration Fees / Divisions

INSHORE

· Inshore Team Registration Overall (Snook, Trout, and Redfish)

o Team (2-4 Anglers per boat) $200

o Payouts will be 75% of total entries – For example; 40 entries of $200 equals $8000, 1st prize would be 50% of $6000 or $3000, 2nd 30% of $6000 or $1800, 3rd 20% of $6000 or $1200

· Kayak Division (inshore species only)

o $100 Single Kayak Angler

o Payouts will be for 3 places, 75% of total entries will be split up 50% for 1st, 30% for second, and 20% for 3rd

o Kayak prizes from local vendors

CALCUTTAS

· War on 22 memorial TWT

o $FREE for a redfish closest to 22” in memory of our fallen heroes. Prizes TBD

· Veterans TWT - $50

o 100% of entries will be split up 50/30/20% to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places. Must have an Active duty, Veteran, or 1stResponder on your vessel the day of the tournament.

KIDS DIVISION

o $20 per child 12 years old and younger

o This will payout 5 places with trophies and 100% of the total entries collected will consist of the total prize pool.

o Number of entries will determine the payouts for 1st-5th. Total combined inches for the following species caught during tournament time. Snook, Redfish, Ladyfish, Jacks of any kind, Mangrove Snapper, and Seatrout. Only one fish per species may be entered.

RULES AND REGISTRATION

o The Rules and Prizes of this tournament are subject to change up until the captain’s meeting @ 1800 (6pm) on March 7th at Bay Pines Marina Tiki Hut All changes will be announced at the Captain’s meeting.

o Captain’s meeting is MANDATORY for at least one member of the team and all teams must sign waiver prior to fishing. All teams will be required to pick up the official tournament ruler prior to tournament start the day of.

o Tournament Rulers for inshore division requires a $40 refundable payment. Turn it back in for full refund or keep it for your use. If you’re using your own ruler we must be approved by tournament committee

§ Teams are allowed to use their own ruler but must be approved and marked at the Capts meeting. Reeling Freedom uses our branded ruler for Check-it stick.

o Token will be posted via live broadcast on the Reeling Freedom Fan Page on Facebook and published on the tournament website @ midnight night of  March 6th.

· Teams

o Inshore Team Division - The motorized division will consist of as many team members at the captain’s discretion. Each team will be considered a single entry for the overall division in respective categories.

o Kayak division - Will consist of single person entries using a non-Motorized kayak, paddle board, one-person flotation, wade or shore anglers. No trolling motors mounted on Kayaks but foot peddles are acceptable

o Kids division – Any child 12 years of age or younger. Number of entries will determine the payouts for 1st-5th. Total combined inches for the following species caught during tournament time. Snook, Redfish, Ladyfish, Jacks of any kind, Mangrove Snapper, and Seatrout. Only one fish per species may be entered.

· Format

o INSHORE ONLY This is a strictly catch and live release tournament, digital photo tournament. All digital photos must include your official tournament ruler and token clearly displayed. All photo’s must be taken on March 9th during the hours of your division. If there are any unclear photos or photos are missing the tournament token and ruler they will not be accepted and will be disqualified. No photos will be accepted via email and all anglers must check-in in Person at weigh in. Tournament committee will not provide any special cables or equipment at the time of weigh and all participants must provide the necessary cables to transfer those photos to the tournament committee. All photo will become the property of Reeling Freedom when transferred during weigh in and are subject to use online and social media.

o Pictures of fish must be taken with tournament ruler, token, and fish facing to the left in all pictures. Fish must be placed flush against ruler line with the tail to the right pinched and clearly show overall TAIL length of fish. A crew member must accompany the fish photos during the weigh-in. All digital entries must show the ENTIRE fish and clearly show overall length. Any photos that are not clear and concise will not be used and will be disqualified at the discretion of the tournament committee.

o In the event of a TIE the team that registers (in person) their catch first will be the winner.

o Kayak division will start at first Safe light, safety is our highest priority!

o Boundaries for this tournament will be from Cedar Key (29’ 8.25” N) to Boca Grande (26’ 42.3” N) on the west coast of Florida.

o All tournament entries must be in the weigh in line no later than 4pm on March 9th 2024. NO EXCEPTIONS! If a team arrives at 4:01pm after weigh line has closes that team or angler will be disqualified for entry.

o All tournament decisions and/or disqualifications are subject to review by tournament committee. All decisions by the tournament committee are final.

· Categories and Prizes

o Largest combined in length of each species Snook, Redfish, and Seatrout. Only one fish of each species will be accepted as tournament entry. If no team or angler catches a slam the largest combination in length of one fish per species will be accepted. For example, if no team or angler catches a Snook the longest total length of Redfish and Seatrout will determine the winner.

o Cash prize of 75% of total entries will be broken up as follows based on 40 total entries; For example; 40 entries of $200 equals $8000, 1st prize would be 50% of $6000 or $3000, 2nd 30% of $6000 or $1800, 3rd 20% of $6000 or $1200

o Kayak/Paddleboard prizes are as follows; Payouts will be for 3 places, 75% of total entries will be split up 50% for 1st, 30% for second, and 20% for 3rd Kayak prizes from local vendors

o Kids division – 100% of total entries will go to pay 1-5 places of the kids division.

· Legal Rules

o Two or more boats may NOT come into contact after tournament start in any manner, NO EXCEPTIONS! You will be disqualified

o Sportsmanlike conduct is expected always on the water, before, during, and after event. Your team is subject to disqualification and will be banned for all future events if these rules are not followed.

o All fishing and angling methods must comply with current Federal and State regulations as state by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission and the US Coast Guard.

o This is a Captains Choice tournament. It is up to the discretion of the registered captain to determine whether his or her craft is seaworthy for existing sea and weather conditions. The captain is responsible for all members of his/her crew both on and off the water. Your vessel should be insured and Guides must have current insurance and licenses.

o You must catch and reel the fish to boat by hand held, no motorized rod and reel. Live OR artificial bait is allowed. No large bait nets will be allowed to catch and photo fish.

o The tournament committee has the right to refuse entry to any applicant. In the event such refusal occurs, 100% of the applicant’s entry fee will be returned if previously accepted.

o All Registered boats must comply with State and U.S.C.G. safety regulations. All decisions of the Tournament Committee and Weigh Master are final.

· Protests

Any team or angler may choose to protest in any division by paying a $500 deposit after all entries have been completed. The $500 deposit will be refunded if protest is upheld, if not the $500 protest fee is non-refundable. Protests must be filed within 15mins after the announcement of winning prizes. ALL DECISIONS MADE BY TOURNAMENT COMMITTEE ARE FINAL.