Panhandle May 2024

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Panhandle Florida, AJ's on the Bayou

RULES

DATE CHANGE!!*******May 19th, 2024

Final online registration ends at 1pm on May18th. In-person registration at the Captain’s Meeting will occur on 5/18/2024 from 11AM TO 1PM at AJ's on the Bayou. On-site registration will end at 1pm promptly but we encourage you to register in advance. This is a cashless registration. Only credit card is accepted for the registration. Please send any questions about the tournament or tournament rules to the Tournament Director and Weigh Master at info@fishbites.com. 

$50.00/per adult angler. $25.00/per junior angler. Only registered anglers will be allowed to weigh in. Junior anglers are defined in this tournament as 12 years of age or younger.

All anglers must follow all FWC guidelines and have the appropriate fishing license in the State of Florida. 

Fishing commences on 5/19/2024 at First Safe Light.

Weigh-in begins on 5/19/2024 at AJ's on the Bayou at 1:00 pm CDT and all anglers must be in line to weigh in when the clock strikes 4:00 pm CDT. 

Time will be held by the Weigh Master’s phone, satellite time.

Prize Structure: $15,000 in Cash (based on 100 anglers)

🏆 Biggest Aggregate Weight - Anglers choose the fish they weigh. Weighmaster will not choose for you.

Pompano (3 fish max - You CAN weigh less than 3 fish for the aggregate.)

- 1st, 2nd, 3rd 

Whiting (3 fish max - You CAN weigh less than 3 fish for the aggregate.)

- 1st, 2nd, 3rd

🏆 Biggest Fish (by weight) - Anglers choose the fish they weigh. Weighmaster will not choose for you.

Pompano

- 1st, 2nd, 3rd

🏆 Junior Angler - Biggest Pompano (by weight) - Prizes Only

- 1st, 2nd, 3rd

🏆 Junior Angler - Biggest Whiting (by weight) - Prizes Only

- 1st, 2nd, 3rd

Winners can only win ONE place (but winners of the tournament are eligible to win raffle prizes if applicable). Anglers can enter multiple categories, however if an angler wins more than one category, the highest monetary valued place will be awarded.

Example: Bob places 3rd in the biggest pompano division and 1st in the Whiting Aggregate division, Bob would win the latter prize as it would hold a higher monetary value. Bob would drop off the list for the biggest Pompano division and the next largest weight would be on the leaderboard.

✅ Rules:

- Location: Beach Line/Surf Fishing ONLY (Gulf Shores to Panama City/Mexico Beaches ONLY to include Baldwin County to Bay County) *

*ALABAMA anglers - ALL FWC guidelines must be followed.

- Bait: No limits, must adhere to FWC guidelines

- Minimum size - 12” nose to tail for Whiting, 11” to the fork for Pompano

- No frozen or altered fish will be weighed, you will be disqualified if you bring these fish to weigh-in

- All hardware must be removed (no hooks, weights, stringers, etc.)

- Weight will NOT be rounded to ensure there are no ties

- NO Commercial Fishermen may enter the tournament

-NO team fishing or pooling together fish for weigh-in; angler can only weigh-in fish they caught themselves

-Fish are measured on a bump board approved by the tournament; your fish MUST measure to specifications on the tournament measuring board

All anglers should know their angler numbers (Emailed Out during registration) for verification at the weigh-in. You do not need to print out a number.

All fish must be caught during tournament hours. All fish must be caught by hook, line, rod, and reel and must be caught by the angler who entered the Tournament. Anglers cannot hire a guide on tournament day.

All Entries must obey State of Florida Fishing Regulations, including size and bag limits. Violation of State of Florida Fishing laws and regulations will result in disqualification.

Fish entered into the tournament are property of the angler NOT the tournament.

Tournament Committee is responsible for the final call in all matters. No protests will be accepted in this tournament unless ruled by the Tournament Committee. Tournament Rules are subject to change with proper, timely notice to all anglers. All winners agree to submit to a polygraph examination if deemed necessary by tournament director & committee.

By participating in this tournament and event, you accept all liability and risks associated with the activities of the Fishing Tournament and Awards Ceremony. You agree that all anglers registered, their personal representatives, heirs and executors, release and forever discharge all members of the tournament committee, all tournament sponsors, contributors, participants, producers, and their employees, agents, contractors, representatives, successors and assigns (the “Released Parties”) of all liabilities, claims, actions, damages, costs or expenses which you may have against the Released Parties for bodily injury, death, and/or property damage arising out of or in any way connected with my participation in the tournament, including but not limited to, all risks, known or unknown, anticipated or unanticipated without regard to whether they are inherent in participation in a fishing tournament. You understand that this release is an unconditional, full and general release, including a release of all claims arising out of the negligent acts or omission of any of the Released Parties. You hereby indemnify, hold harmless, and promise not to sue any of the organizations, companies, or individuals in charge of organizing and hosting this event.

In the event that any tournament in the series must be cancelled due to weather or an act of God, refunds will be processed within 30 days of the cancellation. Refunds will only be issued if the tournament is cancelled by the tournament director and committee.