Mahi Championship rules

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****HEAVIEST BULL / COW AGGREGATE WINS****

Welcome to the Mahi Championship, Florida's premier offshore fishing tournament! Compete for a guaranteed $50,000 payout for first place and increasing payouts if entries exceed 150 boats, the stakes have never been higher. Read the rules below carefully to ensure your spot in the competition.

• Kickoff Party & Final Registration:
  Friday, April 3, 2026, at 5:00 PM
  Location: Volusia Top Gun, 2900 Bellevue Avenue, Daytona Beach, FL on the Hard Deck.
  
  • Early entry ends April 1st.
  • A representative from each registered boat must attend to pick up the official boat number and participate in the Captain’s Meeting. Tournament rules will be reviewed, and questions answered at this time.

• Captain’s Choice Fishing Days:
  Participants may fish any 2 days within the tournament window.
• 2 bulls / 2 cows are eligible for weighing each declared day of fishing.
• ********HEAVIEST BULL / COW AGGREGATE WINS!*********
•  If a team is entered in both Mahi Championship and Miss Mahi on the same declared fishing day(s), any fish weighed must be designated toward only one division (Mahi Championship or Miss Mahi). Fish may not be counted toward both divisions. 
• Fishing Dates:
  April 6th - May 17th, 2026
• Awards Ceremony:
  Date TBD -
  Location: Volusia Top Gun, Daytona Beach on the Hard Deck

Participants may weigh their fish at any of the following locations between 9 am - 11 am after declared day of fishing. Any boat that does not meet weigh in time, fish from that declared day will be disqualified:

• Volusia Top Gun
  2900 Bellevue Avenue, Daytona Beach, FL
• Beamish Custom Tackle
  76 Dockside Drive, Suite 111, St. Augustine, FL
• Bluepoints Marina
  726 Scallop Drive, Port Canaveral, FL
• Jax Beach Bait & Tackle
  224 20th Street N., Jacksonville Beach, FL

1. Fishing Days Declaration:
   
   • All boats must declare their fishing day via text to (386) 547-7385 by 8:00 PM the day before. NO EXCEPTIONS.
   • Undeclarations must also be made by 8:00 PM the day before your declared day of fishing—NO EXCEPTIONS.

1. Fishing Hours:
   
   • Lines in the water are permitted only between 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM, including teasers and bait rigs.

1. Substitute Vessels:
   
   • The registered captain may substitute their vessel once due to mechanical issues. Approval must be obtained via text at (386) 547-7385. If your personal boat is fixed before completion of tournament you may return to original registered vessel.

1. Tackle & Equipment:
   
   • No electric reels are allowed for fishing, but they may be used for teasers ONLY.
   • All fish must be caught using hook and line with rod and reel.

1. Departure & Return Inlets:
   
   • Boats may leave from and return to any inlet in the state of Florida.
   • Fishing must take place in U.S. waters only and within the EEZ zone (exclusive economic zone).  If a hooked fish pulls your vessel outside the designated Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), you may continue to fight the fish, and it will remain eligible for weighing, provided all other tournament rules are followed. 

1. Weigh-In Rules:
   
   • Each boat may be eligible to weigh a maximum of 2 bulls and 2 cows per declared fishing day.
   • Each participants heaviest mahi per declared fishing days will qualify for the leaderboard. Each participant is only eligible to win 1 prize on overall leaderboard excluding calcuttas. Other fish contribute to Calcutta categories if applicable.
   • Weigh-in must take place the day after fishing between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM at one of said 4 weigh in locations.
   • Fish must be whole, with no mutilation or signs of tampering. Mutilation decision is made final by weighmaster and committee.
   • In case of a tie, the fish weighed in first will be declared the winner.

1. Fish Photo Requirements:
   
   • A photo of the fish must be taken on the water with the official weigh-in number visible. Your fish must have the tournament issued boat number in the picture.
   • This photo must be sent to (386) 547-7385 by 8:00 PM on the fishing day, along with the declared weigh-in station, no exceptions.

1. Code of Conduct:
   
   • All participants must exercise good sportsmanship at all times. Violations are subject to disqualification at the discretion of tournament management.

1. Licensing & Compliance:
   
   • All anglers must hold valid fishing licenses and adhere to Florida state laws and FWC regulations.

1. Protests:
   
   • Any protest must be submitted in writing at the weigh-in station on the day of the alleged infraction, accompanied by a $500 cash deposit (refundable if the protest is upheld).
   • The tournament director’s decision is final.

1. Polygraph Testing:
   
   • Winning participants will be subjected to and  must pass a polygraph test. Failure to comply or pass the test will result in disqualification. NO EXCEPTIONS.

• 1st Place: $50,000 guaranteed
• 2nd Place: $5,000
• 3rd Place: $3,000
• Calcutta payouts are solely based on entrants. Tournament keeps 10% of proceeds & will pay out  90% to winners.