RULES
#1 General Acceptance: The SWFAEP expects the highest level of integrity and sportsmanship from its participants. It is the sole responsibility of the anglers to read, understand and abide by the Tournament rules; including any and all special instructions and/or modifications announced during Captain’s meeting. If in Boat/Team division, at least one designated representative from each team must attend the captains meeting.
#2 ENTRY and REGISTRATION: Online registration and payment of entry fee must be completed prior to the completion of captains meeting (10/4/24). SWFAEP reserves the right to close registrations at any time prior to the captain meeting. If problems arise registering online, please contact us at membership@swfaep.org for assistance. 
#3 HOURS OF COMPETITION: Fishing (“line in water”) is to commence at legal sunrise and conclude by legal sunset on Saturday 10/5/24. Last entries via iAngler Tournament will be accepted 30 minutes after legal sunset. These times will be dioscussed at the captains meeting.
#4 FISHING RULES: Angling gear and methods must comply with FWC rules. Although undersized fish are eligible, the harvest of any undersized, oversized, or out of season species is prohibited. Released fish must be photographed as quickly as possible and released at the location where caught.

Fishing from a motorized or non-motorized vessel, or shoreline/wading is acceptable, but only one method is allowed for the duration of the tournament. 
All fish must be caught by hook and line. Artificial, fly, and live/dead bait are acceptable methods.
No angler substitutions are allowed. 
All team members must fish from the same boat.
No outside assistance of any means is acceptable. 
No marina fishing, pet fishing, or boat ramp fishing is allowed.
No professional fisherman or guides are allowed to enter the tournament. 
#6 PERMITS & LICENSES: Registered boats and anglers must comply with all Federal and Florida State Laws regarding fishing licenses, size limits, bag limits and any other applicable regulations.

For information regarding Florida Saltwater Fishing Licenses refer to www.FloridaConservation.org or call 850-487-0554.

A citation or written warning of any local, state or federal regulation during the tournament will result in disqualification.
#6 RULER TOURNAMENT SCORING FOR INSHORE DIVISION: A point system based upon the type and size of fish will be used to determine the winning boat. Each boat will be allowed to enter multiple fish for judging, however, only the largest one snook, one redfish, and one trout or a combination thereof will be used towards your total score for the event. Not all three fish species must be submitted to win.

In addition, a trash fish slam will be awarded to the group which submits the largest one jack, one ladyfish, and one catfish or combination thereof. Not all three fish species must be submitted to win. The trash fish slam prize will not be eligible for an individual or team who is awarded a prize for the main divisions snook/redfish/trout, unless they are the only submission for the trash can slam.

Use the given tournament ruler. Any tournament Photos without the RULER will be disqualified. Photos must be submitted via the iAngler Tournament app. In the event the app does not work, please time stamp your photo and text it to Brett Fitzgerald at (561) 707-8923 asap.

*Length will be rounded to the nearest quarter inch.

*In the event of a tie – the earliest “last qualifying” fish will be the winner of the tie-breaker.

Trash Can Slam fish (ladyfish, catfish, and jack) will be scored via the iAngler Tournament app in the same manner as other fish – one point per inch, the largest of each species will count.

The Tournament Officials reserve the right to reject any catch entry that does not meet standards of photo quality (blurry image, unreadable numbers, parts of fish obscured, etc.).
#7 PHOTO RULES:  Entire fish must be visible (no hands over tail/head). Nose of fish must be placed at “zero” on the ruler. Tails CAN be pinched per FWC rules. NO HANDS under the fish – photos with hands under a fish are subject to immediate disqualification. Photo must be taken from directly above the fish. Ruler must be visible to ensure it was not bent/folded under a fish. 
#8 PRIZE DISTRIBUTION: All prizes will be awarded directly to the team or individual present at the awards dinner on Sunday 10/6/24. If a team is not present at the awards dinner, the prize(s) will be awarded to the runner up position.

Each boat/team per division is eligible for a maximum of one prize in each division per species. Teams and anglers who place in the snook/trout/redfish will be ineligible for the Trash Can Slam.

*Exceptions to the above rule exist* In the case of a non-motorized individual angler winning both the non-motorized and the motorized division snook/redfish/trout, that angler will be awarded both division 1st place prizes.

*Exceptions to the above rule exist* In the case of an individual or team placing in 1,2,or 3 of a division also being the only submission for the trash can slam, they will be eligible to win the trash can slam. 
#10 BOAT SUBSTITUTION & PROCEDURES: Boats are not permitted to have any physical contact with other boats during the fishing hours of the tournament with the exception of emergency or safety reasons and must be reported to a tournament official as soon as possible.
#11 PROTEST: All protests concerning the determination of the tournament winners shall be made in writing to the tournament rules committee on the night of the awards dinner 10/6/24.

Any protest resolutions are based on committee decisions, which are final.
#12 INSPECTION OF BOATS: The rules committee reserves the right to inspect any and all boats/vessels entered in the competition.
#13 RAIN DATE: To be determined under Small Craft Advisory and SWFAEP reserves the right to reschedule the event. 
#14 CONDITION OF FISH: Fish shall not be mutilated in any way.
#15 RULES VIOLATION: The penalty for any violation of any of the rules is disqualification, with tournament fees not refundable.
#16 LIABILITY RELEASE: It is expressly understood that all registered participants and their companions, crew members and observers (the Participants) participate in the SWFAEP fishing tournament (the Tournament) at their own risk.
The participants hereby indemnify and agree to be held harmless the Tournament, the Alderman House, SWFAEP, and all Directors, Volunteers, agents, partners, members, sponsors, attorneys or any other person associated with this tournament from and against any and all claims that arise from or in connection with any negligent act or omission of the Tournament Indemnified Parties.

All persons connected directly or indirectly with the operation of the SWFAEP Fishing Tournament, whether individual or corporation, shall have no liability whatsoever for any special, incidental, consequential, punitive, exemplary and/or any other damage including without limitation, any damages arising from libel, slander, loss, damage, negligence, harm, injury and death.

Participants specifically consent to the use of any photography in which they appear, or audio recording by the tournament for any reason whatsoever including, but not limited to: resale, advertising and promotional material without compensation or restriction of any kind.

This Liability Release shall be binding upon the participants and their heirs, representatives, successors and assigns. By entering the above stated tournament and paying entry fee, participants acknowledge that they have read and are bound by same.