2026 Paddlers Tournament Rules

2026 D.O.A. Paddlers Tournament Rules & Requirements Rules are subject to change. Prize packages are still being finalized. All funds collected will be used for the tournament and awards party. 1. Participation & Eligibility • Participants are considered officially entered once the entry form, release form, and entry fees are received. (Release forms are signed at the Captain’s Meeting.) • All entry forms and fees must be received by the stated deadline. • Participants under 18 must have a parent or legal guardian’s signature. • Liability waivers and parental consent forms must be completed in person at the Captain’s Meeting prior to receiving tackle kits or other tournament materials. • Eligibility is confirmed at the Captain’s Meeting once all forms and fees are verified. 2. Registration • Registration is open February 1, 2026 – May 9, 2026, or until all 150 spots are filled. • Past tournaments have filled up early so early registration is strongly recommended. • Participants must pre-register and submit fees via the D.O.A. website (select “2026 Paddlers Tournament”). • Questions may be emailed to events@doalures.com. • Waivers and consent forms must be signed in person at the Captain’s Meeting—no exceptions. 3. Safety & Sportsmanship • Participants must demonstrate sportsmanship, conservation awareness, and courtesy at all times. • All local, state (FWC), and federal (USCG) regulations must be followed. • Required safety equipment must be on board and used according to law. 4. Permitted Fishing Methods • Fish must be caught on hook and line using only D.O.A. lures and terminal tackle provided at the Captain’s Meeting. • No additional tackle is permitted on board other than rods, reels, leader material, and standard fishing tools. No other lures or bait allowed. • No wading or shore fishing unless the angler remains tethered to their paddle craft. • Motorized vessels may not be used to move or transport a paddle craft. • Participants may use street vehicles to relocate between publicly accessible launch sites within tournament boundaries during tournament hours. 5. Tandems & Shared Vessels • Anglers may share a vessel only if both are paid, registered participants. • Each angler is scored individually. No sharing or combining catches. (This is NOT a team tournament.) 6. Tournament Boundaries & Times • All legally accessible inshore waters between: o Jupiter Inlet (northern shore = southern boundary) o Sebastian Inlet (southern shore = northern boundary) o The Sebastian River is included. • Boundary maps will be provided at the Captain’s Meeting. • Launching/loading must be from publicly accessible sites within boundaries. • Official start time will be announced at the Captain’s Meeting. • Tournament Headquarters: River Palm Cottages (also a legal launch site). • All anglers must check in at headquarters by 2:00 PM. • At launch, anglers must take a photo/video showing their vessel, the measuring stick, and the unique token. • Late check-in results in disqualification. • Anglers must be on-site and in line with their scorecard/catch log by 2:00 PM — no exceptions. • Allow time for parking and walking to the pavilion. 7. Tournament Format • Multi-species, D.O.A.-lures-only, paddle/pedal craft, photo/video live-release tournament. • Only the longest fish of each species counts toward scoring. • Fish are ranked by length (in inches). • Participants must attend both the Captain’s Meeting and weigh-in to be eligible for prizes. • All catches must be recorded on the official scorecard. • Scorecards are submitted at weigh-in for ranking. • Once rankings are established, placing anglers will provide photos/videos for verification. 8. Tournament Photos & Videos • Participants are encouraged to photograph/video all fish caught. • Ideally, photos show the D.O.A. lure in the fish’s mouth. • By participating, anglers grant D.O.A. Lures full rights to use tournament photos/videos. • Photos/videos of scoring fish must show: o Fish on the provided measuring device o Nose at 0" o Mouth closed o Tail in a natural (not pinched) position o Unique token visible in the frame • Proper fish-handling and healthy release are required. Have a plan to ensure survival. 9. Tournament Categories Grand Prize — Inshore Slam (Snook, Redfish, Spotted Sea Trout) • Ranked by the combined length of the angler’s longest fish of each species. • Only one Slam winner. • If no participant completes a full Slam, the category will be scored using the combined length of any two qualifying species. • A fish can only be used is ONE category, You cannot use the same fish in the Slam and individual species. Individual Species Categories • Categories: Snook (all subspecies), Redfish, Sea Trout • Prizes awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place (longest fish). • Ties are broken by earliest check-in. • Tarpon: o Should not be removed from the water if possible. o Photo/video must show part of the vessel and either the measuring stick or token. o Anglers may submit one landed tarpon (defined as requiring manual dehooking). Mystery Fish Category • At weigh-in, a random species (from all logged catches) will be selected. • The angler with the longest properly recorded catch of that species wins. • One prize only for the Mystery Fish. 10. Raffle & BBQ Information • Raffle items will be displayed in packages with collection jars in front of each. • Some packages may have multiple winners (e.g., four plier/knife sets = four winners). • Participants and guests may purchase unlimited raffle tickets and place them in any package jars. • Guests attending the weigh-in may purchase dinner tickets for $15 each, must be purchased at registration, and can be selected on the entry form.