July 25
Tournament Day 2026
7am–2pm
Fishing Hours
2
Age Divisions
4:30 PM
Weigh-In Deadline
2026 Official Rules
Know Before You Go
Tournament Overview
- ✓The Kids Kingfish Derby will be held on Saturday, July 25th.
- ✓Two age divisions: 6 & Under and 7–15.
- ✓Fishing hours are 7:00 AM until 2:00 PM. No lines in the water intended for King Mackerel prior to 7:00 AM.
- ✓There is no checkout.
Bait & Tackle
- ✓Live and dead baits are permitted.
- ✓Sharing bait between boats is legal and encouraged. If a boat is in need of bait, by all means share.
- ✓Boats may begin catching bait within the boundaries via cast net or hook and line at 5:00 AM on the designated fishing day.
Boundaries
- ✓The boundaries are the center of the St. Mary's River (30.42.500) to the center of Matanzas (29.42.300).
- ✓All boats must fish in Florida State Waters and follow all Florida Fishing Laws.
- ✓Offshore boundaries will be the "Party Grounds." Please stay within the 81.00.00 line (9 mile, FA, etc.).
Special Awards
- ✓There will be a special Sailfish Prize for the first sailfish of the day released by a Jr. Angler. Practice CPR — Catch, Photo, and Release. Text photo to 904-248-1409.
- ✓There will be a special Spanish Mackerel Prize.
- ✓Send photos of your catch to 904-248-1409 so we can update social media throughout the event.
Weigh-In
- ✓Weigh-in will open at 2:00 PM and remain open until 4:30 PM.
- ✓Fish may be brought to the weigh-in by boat or truck.
- ✓The angler must be at the tournament site and checked in with their fish by 4:30 PM (or in line to be weighed).
- ✓Anglers — please wear your number when coming to the scales.
- ✓If weighing by boat, anglers must have a PFD and shoes on when walking up the dock to the weigh-in. No exceptions.
- ✓This is a big fish tournament. Only 1 fish per angler will be weighed.
- ✓Please remove all hooks from your fish before bringing to the scales.
- ✓Mutilated fish will be weighed but must meet the minimum length requirement.
Fish Donation & Raffle
- ✓All fish weighed will be collected and proceeds from those fish will be donated to charity.
- ✓Any extra fish donated will receive one raffle ticket for a mystery prize at the awards ceremony — one ticket per extra fish donated.
Jr. Angler Rules
- ✓Jr. Anglers need to fight the fish as much as they can. Assistance is permitted for the safety of the crew and equipment.
- ✓In the case of identical weights, the tie will be broken by the first fish weighed.
Captain's Meeting
- ✓A representative of the registered boat must attend the Captain's Meeting to pick up the angler's number and backpack of school supplies.
- ✓Numbers must be worn when coming to the scales.
Have Fun!!!
Questions? Contact us at 904-248-1409