Tournament Rules & Guidelines

Everything you need to know before you hit the water.

Keep it simple. Fish fair. Have fun.

Tournament Overview

  • The Kingfish Shootout will run from Saturday, May 9th through Sunday,
    June 7, 2026.

  • Each boat will be eligible to fish a maximum of two (2) days.

FISHING DAY DECLARATION

The Captain must declare their fishing day no later than 8:00 p.m. the day before by notifying the tournament committee via text message.

FISH Limits

Up to Two King Mackerel may be weighed per day.

SCORING & WINNER DETERMINATION

  • The heaviest 3 fish aggregate total will be the winner of the Kingfish Shootout.

  • If more than 3 fish are weighed, the smaller weight will be dropped.

  • If a boat’s 2 fish weigh more than another boat’s 3 fish total, the larger weight will be the winner.

FISHING LOCATIONS & BOUNDARIES

  • Boats may leave and return from any inlet of choice but may not deploy baits or catch bait outside of the boundaries.

  • Purchasing and penning live bait is allowed.

  • Boundary is latitude 28.00.000 South and 32.00.000 North in the Atlantic Ocean.

Weigh-In Rules

  • All fish must be weighed at Angie’s Subs, 1436 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville Beach, between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. the day of fishing or between 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. the next day.

  • Sunday weigh-in hours are from 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.

  • Please text an hour prior to arrival so we are ready for you.

FISHING HOURS & CHECK-IN

  • The Kingfish Shootout is a no checkout tournament.

  • You may fish from 6:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. GPS time.

  • You must check in by phone by 8:00 p.m. once inside the inlet of your choice.

  • Boats may not catch bait prior to lines in.

FISH OWNERSHIP & INSPECTION

All fish weighed are subject to freshness test, stomach content inspection, and any and all other relevant inspections deemed necessary by the committee. After weigh-in and inspection, entrants may keep their fish.

POLYGRAPH & DISQUALIFICATION

  • The Captain and crew of all entrants are subject to a polygraph at anytime during the tournament.

  • Winning Captains WILL be required to submit and pass a polygraph test prior to being presented any prize.

  • Failure to submit to a polygraph test automatically revokes all claims to prizes and disqualifies the Captain and crew from the tournament.

GEAR & CATCH REQUIREMENTS

  • A maximum of six lines are allowed.

  • All fish must be caught on rod and reel.

  • No electric reels unless used for a downrigger or to deploy a kite.

  • A digital photograph with the tournament issued boat number is required on the water as soon as possible after the fish has been landed.

CANCELLATIONS & SUBSTITUTIONS

  • You may cancel a fishing day for whatever reason by 8:00 a.m. via cell phone or text message of the declared fishing day if a line has not been deployed.

  • You may substitute a boat once if the substitute boat is not registered in the tournament.

PRIZE LIMITATIONS

Payouts are based on 100 Paid Entries.

Only one prize per boat excluding Tournament within a Tournament or Lady Angler awards.

GENERAL RULES

  • All decisions by tournament committee are final.

  • The tournament committee reserve the right to refuse entry to any person or entity.

CAPTAINS MEETING / KICKOFF PARTY

The Captains Meeting/Kickoff Party:
Wednesday May 6, at Palm Valley Outdoors.

ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY

Weigh slips will be accepted from the Old City Elite Tournament if the boat is declared in the Kingfish Shootout and follows all Kingfish Shootout Rules.