INSHORE OPEN 2024

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 Individual, online/virtual tournament and does not require that any fish bekilled in order for an angler to accumulate points..
Each Individual Angler must be equipped with (1) a digital camera; (2) a ruler subject to inspection by the Rules Committee upon request or protest; and (3) will be instructed at the start of the event on a common household item (Token) to include in each photo to be submitted for scoring. Lines in, and the start of fishing shall begin at 3pm on Friday Septebmer 27, 2024.
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 September 28, 2024.
There are no restrictions as to fishing locations, or means of getting there.  Anglers may fish from a boat, shore, or anything in between.
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 shall include a Token to be determined at the start of the event in all photos submitted to the IAngler App for scoring. Anglers shall use their own measuring device, subject to inspection upon request by the Rules Committee and shall lay the tape measure flat on the boat deck or ground, with the token also flat on the boat deck or ground. The fish shall be laid on the boat deck or ground also above the tape and card, so that the tape measure can be clearly seen as well as the entire token DO NOT PULL THE TAPE MEASURE OVER THE FISH OR LAY THE TOKEN ON TOP OF THE FISH WITH ONLY ONE EXCEPTION:

ALL TARPON THAT ARE LEFT IN THE WATER BECAUSE THEY ARE TOO BIG TO LAND PURSUANT TO CURRENT LAWS SHALL BE MEASURED BY ROLLING THE FISH ON ITS SIDE AND LAYING THE TOKEN DIRECTLY ON THE TOP SIDE OF THE FISH. THE ENTIRE FISH MUST BE IN THE PHOTOGRAPH AND THE TOKEN MUST BE VISIBLE.

Photographs that do not include the Token and/or that do not allow the Rules Committee to view the tape measure may be excluded at the sole discretion of the Tournament Chairman. The Committee will utilize all tools at our disposal, including a virtual ruler through the langler App to attempt to verify measurements for all fish in contention for a prize. If a fish or measurement is partially obstructed, the Tournament Chairman, after consultation with the Rules Committee has the sole authority to decide whether to exclude a fish in its entirety or give credit for the visible part of the fish.
Scoring
Snook caught on natural bait will be awarded 2 points per inch. Any tarpon caught on natural bait will be awarded 1point 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 Angler must be registered with the Michael Shields Memorial Angler Tournament Page/App prior to commencing. Each Angler should log every fish caught, however only the top three scoring fish will be scored per species.
Failure to include the Token in the picture and/or failing to capture the entire fish and measurement in the photograph may lead to disqualifying the fish, or awarding partial credit at the sole discretion of the tournament chairman after consultation with the Rules Committee. The photos shall be uploaded to the Michael Shields IAngler Tournament App/Page by 3 p.m. on September 28, 2024 is the absolute deadline. After 3 p.m., the rules committee will validate the Angler'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 langler 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 first fish logged 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.
Iron Man Slam - all 4 species caught (at least one of each) 100 pt bonus
Prizes
First Place (Individual Angler - Most Points)

Second Place (Individual Angler - Most Points)

Top Lady Angler (Individual Angler - Most Points)

Top Junior Angler (15 years or younger - Most Points)

Mystery Fish - Don't forget to log all your catches!!!! (Judges' Discretion)

Best Overall Snook (Individual Angler - Total Length)

Best Overall Tarpon (Individual Angler - Total Length)

Best Overall Redfish (Individual Angler - Total Length)

Best Overall Trout (Individual Angler - Total Length)

Best Fish Caught on Fly (Individual Angler - Most Points)

Best Fish Caught on D.O.A. Lure - sponsored by D.O.A. (Individual Angler - Most Points)