Official Rules
These rules are subject to the sole interpretation, application, and discretion of the Tournament Chairman, after consultation with the Rules Committee.
This is a catch and release tournament and does not require that any fish be killed in order for an angler to accumulate points. Each team must come equipped with a digital camera, and will be provided with measuring options at the Captain’s Reception. The tournament is broken into two divisions, Guided Teams (Up to 3 Anglers plus Guide), Unguided Teams (Up to 4 Anglers).  For Unguided Teams, the tournament begins immediately upon the first team’s Registration at River Palm Cottages on Fridy, October 4, 2019  (Registration begins at 4:00 p.m.).   For Guided Teams, the tournament begins with lines in at 5:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 5, 2019.
All Fish complete with a photo must be logged  into the Michael Shields Memorial IAngler Tournament Page/App by no later than 3 p.m. on October 5, 2019.  Officials from the Rules Committee will be present at River Palm Cottages, between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on October 5, 2019 to assist anglers who need help logging their fish and uploading their photos.
For Unguided Teams, there are no restrictions as to fishing locations, or means of getting there. Unguided Anglers may fish from a boat, shore, or anything in between. All team members who are actively fishing must be within either sight or shouting distance of each other without the use of technology.  
For Guided Teams, the mosquito ditches are out of bounds.  The Guide is considered the captain of the team, and may fish, if the team chooses.    
All anglers must abide by all local, State and Federal Rules and licensing restrictions on fishing for game fish with hook and line. 
Anglers will target Snook, Tarpon, Redfish and Trout. Each fish will be measured by its Total Length. Total Length is defined as: the distance from the most forward point of the fish’s head to the hindmost point of the tail.  
Measuring Fish

Each angler bucket will include a laminated ‘Tarpon Card” and a measuring tape.  Anglers may also choose to use their own measuring device, subject to inspection upon request by the Rules Committee.   All photographs of fish measured shall include either the tournament provided measuring tape OR the 2019 “Tarpon Card,” or both.  
Fish Too Big to Pull From Water 

Any fish that is too big to be removed from the water may be measured through use of the Iangler Tournament Scoring App.  To do this, make sure that the entire fish is visible in the photograph.  Lay the provided, laminated “Tarpon Card” on top of the fish’s body, so that the measuring line on the “Tarpon Card” can be seen in the photograph.  That’s it!  The App administrators will measure from there, and add the points to your score.  
Scoring 

Snook caught on natural bait will be awarded 2 points per inch. Any tarpon caught on natural bait will be awarded 1 point per inch.  All large tarpon must remain in the water at all times during measurement, pursuant to Florida Law.  Redfish and Trout caught on natural bait will be awarded 1 point per inch.  Additional points will be awarded for catches on artificial baits and for filling the scorecard as set forth in the chart below.  Scorecards should reflect the actual length of each fish to the half inch.  
Each Team must be registered with the Michael Shields Memorial IAngler Tournament Page/App prior to commencing.  Officials from the Rules Committee will be present at the Captains Reception from 4:00 p.m. until 9 p.m. to assist in registering teams and anglers.  Each team should log every fish caught, however only the top three scoring fish will be scored per species. Teams must photograph each scored fish on the team’s digital camera next to the Tournament Program and tape measure (see measuring above).  
Failure to include the tournament program or the laminated “Tarpon Card” in the picture may lead to disqualifying the fish, at the sole discretion of the tournament chairman.  Should you wish to utilize your own measuring device, it is subject to inspection at the discretion of the tournament chairman.  The photos shall be uploaded to the Michael Shields IAngler Tournament App/Page by 3 p.m., as 3 p.m. on October 5, 2019 is the absolute deadline. After 3 p.m., the rules committee will validate the team’s entries and apply the bonus points where appropriate as set forth below.  Any submissions after 3 p.m. may be disqualified or incur a point reduction, at the sole discretion of the tournament chairman after consultation with the rules committee. Any technical difficulties with digital equipment will be dealt with on a case by case basis by the tournament chairman after consultation with the rules committee.   In the event of a tie, the Rules Committee will re-measure each fish utilizing the Iangler Tournament measuring device to attempt to ascertain a more precise measurement.  If there is still a tie the winner will be the first to log all of their fish.  If there is a tie for the largest of a species, the fish logged closest to the angler start time wins.  Cheaters will be disqualified and subjected to public stoning, and shall wear a t-shirt that clearly states: I cheated at a charity fishing tournament.   
4 species – Tarpon, Snook, Redfish, Trout

SPECIES	     NATURAL BAIT	     ARTIFICIAL	  FULL CARD BONUS

Snook	      2 pts per inch	  3 pts per inch	3 snook on card, 25 pts

Tarpon	      1 pt per inch 	  2  pts per inch 	3 tarpon on card, 50 pts

Redfish	     1 pt per inch	  2 pts per inch	3 redfish on card, 25 pts

Trout	     1 pt per inch	  2 pts per inch	3 trout on card, 20 pts 
Iron Man Slam - all 4 species caught (at least one of each) 100 pt bonus
Prizes
First Place Team Guided/Unguided (Up to 4 Anglers)
Second Place Team Guided/Unguided (Up to 4 Anglers)
Top Guide
Top Lady Angler (Individual Angler)
Top Junior Angler (15 years or younger)
Mystery Fish – Don’t forget to log all your catches!!!!
Best Overall Snook (Individual Angler)
Best Overall Tarpon (Individual Angler)
Best Overall Redfish (Individual Angler)
Best Overall Trout (Individual Angler)
Best Fish Caught on Fly (Individual Angler)
Best Fish Caught on D.O.A. Lure – sponsored by D.O.A. (Individual Angler)