Rules

1. The Northeast Florida Wahoo Shootout Tournament will run from Saturday, February 8, 2025 through Sunday, March 23, 2025.

2. Each boat will be eligible to fish a maximum of 2 days. The Captain must declare their fishing day no later than 9:00 pm the day before by notifying the tournament committee by email or text. Text (904) 544-2262 to declare a fishing day.

3. The heaviest 3 fish aggregate will be the 2025 Northeast Florida Wahoo Shootout Winner.

4. Each boat will be eligible to weigh up to 3 Wahoo per day. If more than 3 fish are weighed throughout the tournament, the smaller weights will be dropped.

5. You may leave and return from any inlet of your choice but may not deploy baits outside of the boundaries.

6. All fish must be weighed at Strike-Zone Fishing in Jacksonville or Melbourne, between 6:00 and 7:00 pm the day of fishing or between 9:00 and 11:00 am the next day except for Sunday, between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm.

7. This is a NO CHECKOUT TOURNAMENT. You may fish from 7:00 am till 5:00 pm. All declared boats must check in by text message with the tournament committee at (904) 544-2262 by 8:00 pm on their declared day of fishing.

8. 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.

9. A maximum of 6 lines are allowed. No electric reels permitted for trolling any hooked bait or lure. Electric reels may be used for hookless teasers. Wire Lines are allowed. A digital photograph of the fish with the tournament issued boat number is required on the water as soon as possible after the fish has been landed.

10. The winner of the Northeast Florida Wahoo Shootout does not have to weigh 3 fish. If a boats 2 fish are heavier than another boats 3 then the boat with the most weight will be declared the winner. In the event of identical weights for any aggregate category, the tie will be broken on the teams largest fish of those weighed in. In the category of largest fish, the tie will be broken upon earliest weighed fish.

11. You may undeclare a fishing day for whatever reason by 8:00 am via cell phone or email of the declared fishing day one time for mechanical failure if a line has not been deployed. You may undeclared multiple times due to weather before leaving the inlet.

12. There are no substitute boats allowed. The boat that starts the tournament must finish the tournament. The only exception is if the Captain is taking delivery of a new boat during the tournament.

13. Use of flying drones during this tournament is allowed.

14. Purchasing or penning live bait is not permitted.  Live bait may be used if caught during fishing hours on declared fishing days.

15. Only one prize per boat excluding Tournament-Within-A-Tournament (TWT).

16. Boundary is latitude 27.50.000 South and 31.50.000 North. All boats must fish in the Atlantic Ocean in US waters.

17. All decisions by tournament committee are final.

18. Entry Fee: $600 until December 31, 2024. $700 until January 30, 2025. $800 through February 7, 2025.

The Captains Meeting – Kickoff Party
Saturday, February 1, 2025 – 4:00pm
St. Augustine Rod & Gun Club
401 Gun Club Road • St. Augustine, Florida 32095

19. Tournament reserves the right to refuse entry of any captain at it’s discretion.

20. Junior Angler must be 15 years of age or younger as of March 23, 2025. There is no minimum age limit. Proof of age may be required to claim a prize.

21. Each boat must leave and return to land under its own power unassisted. If a boat needs assistance, it is encouraged for participants to render assistance.  The boat receiving assistance will be disqualified for the day but the boat rendering the assistance will be allowed to weigh and may be granted an extension at the discretion of the tournament director.

22. To qualify for the “Trolling Award” the Captain must declare a trolling day when declaring his or her fishing day.  A trolling day is considered a day when dead bait (Mullet, Spanish Mackerel, or Ballyhoo) or trolled artificial lures are used exclusively on the declared day.  If a Captain decides to live bait during the declared trolling day, he or she revokes their opportunity to win trolling award for the entire tournament.  If the top placing trolling boat places in the main tournament, they will be eligible to win both prizes.  The “Trolling Award” will be awarded to the top 3-fish total weight caught exclusively trolling dead bait or artificial lures.

23. To qualify for the Nimnicht Lucky Ticket, you must catch a wahoo and text a photo with the tournament issued boat number to the Tournament Phone (904)544-2262. One entry per boat. Must be present at the Awards Ceremony drawing to win.

24. A Captain or Crew member is eligible to fish a maximum of 4 declared tournament days on a maximum of 2 boats. There is no limit to pre fishing.

25. Fishing is a gentleman’s sport.  Captain’s are responsible for their crew at all times and unsportsmanlike behavior will not be tolerated.  The tournament reserves the right to disqualify a team at any time for such actions or behavior.

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2025 Wahoo Shootout Weather

This is a Captain’s Choice tournament. Each captain is solely responsible for the safety of his or her vessel and crew at all times. Captains and crews are responsible for following any federal, state and local fishing or boating laws. We encourage all Captains to heed any weather warnings or dangerous weather conditions, as safety is paramount. It is up to each Participant to determine whether their craft is seaworthy for the conditions of any given fishing day.

Pick Your Fishing Days…You Get Two!

50 Days to Choose From
February 8, 2025 Thru March 23, 2025

REGISTER EARLY

Register By December 31, 2024 To Save $200!

STRIKE-ZONE FISHING WEIGH-IN LOCATIONS
JACKSONVILLE – MELBOURNE