Rules For Black Fly Bonefish Tournaments


  1. PARTICIPATION AND ELIGIBILITY. Participation is open to anyone 18 years of age or older in the United States. A completed online registration including online waiver and acceptance of terms by the angler is required. The angler must enter a tournament prior to fishing for or entering any catch for a tournament. If an angler under the age of 18 wishes to participate an exemption waiver must be completed by a legal guardian. All events officially begin at 12:01am Eastern on the start day and end at 11:59pm Eastern on the finish day unless otherwise noted.
  2. SAFETY. Safe boating must be observed at all times. During competition each contestant is required to comply with all U.S. Coast Guard regulations, Wildlife Management regulations, federal, and state laws.
  3. COMMUNICATIONS. The use of mobile communications is allowed.
  4. SPORTSMANSHIP. All contestants are required to follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy, and conservation. Any use of drugs, participation in criminal activities, or other conduct reflecting unfavorably upon our efforts to promote safety, sportsmanship, fair competition, and/or compliance with tournament rules are grounds for immediate disqualification and return of any prizes awarded.
  5. FLY FISHING ONLY. All fish must be caught via hook and line using traditional fly fishing tackle. In addition:
    • Only fly tackle is permitted on the boat. No live bait, dead bait, or tipping.
    • The fly must be visible in the mouth of the bonefish in the scoring pictures.
    • The catch description must include the rod, reel, class tippet, name of the fly, and location/lodge.
    • Bonefish measurement is fork length with mouth closed to fork of the tail.
  6. OPEN VESSEL. The use of any boat or vessel is permitted. Shore fishing and wade fishing are also permitted.
  7. FISHING LOCATIONS. Any fishing location where Bonefish are found is permitted.
  8. MEASURING DEVICES. All fish measurements must use a measuring device approved by 321fish.com. Approved devices include the 321Fish.Com measuring sticker or stick, a Florida Sportsman/Shallow Water Angler law sticker, Florida Pro Guide sticker, Heywood's Big Fish Outfitters sticker and board, Rapala 60" Magnum Folding Ruler, Old Faithful Float-n-Stick, Hawg Trough Measuring Board, or standard aluminum measuring device such as a Check-It-Stik or Gator Grip Golden Rule. Standard aluminum measuring tapes as found in hardware stores can also be used if the entire tape is in view (not obscured by the fish) and is on a flat surface. Approved measuring devices may not be modified in any way. 321fish.com may request a digital image of the measuring device and reserves the right to verify measuring devices. Click here for more information on fish measuring pictures.
  9. UNIQUE TOKENS. 321fish.com publishes unique tokens for tournament entrants which must appear in all fish scoring pictures. Tokens may not be digitally added to pictures and must be in the original picture. Tokens are available via the online system after registration. Fishing may not commence prior to tournament start.
  10. ONLINE CHECK IN. Each angler will use the online system to enter their fish catches. Anglers may update and upgrade their fish as they catch better fish throughout the tournament by entering their catches online. The scoring system will search all "tourney" catches for the best eligible catches. There is no need to edit a catch to upgrade it -- simply enter the new catch. Anglers may not intentionally hold back catches until the end of a tournament - fish should be checked in within 48 hours of the catch or as soon as the angler has access to a computer for online check-in. The time of check-in is used to break ties, and is updated whenever a catch is entered or edited. Fish checked in within 6 hours of tournament entry or after the end of an event are not scored.
  11. CATCH-PHOTO-RELEASE SCORING. Online events use catch-photo-release scoring methods in a variety of formats as described below. Participants may only use digital cameras for recording scoring fish. A scoring photo must show the entire fish on the measuring device with the unique token present. The measuring device must be in clear view so as to leave no doubt of the fish's position across all the markings, and that the markings of the device are true. Photographs should be taken from above the center of the fish at maximum resolution. Photos should not be resized, edited, or cropped prior to upload. Any digital modification or manipulation of a fish picture is grounds for disqualification. The judging committee will review the photos to verify reported results and modify them if necessary. The judges may request a digital image of the complete measuring device without the fish. The tournament director is responsible for the final call in all matters.
  12. SINGLE FISH LENGTH FORMAT. The event uses catch-photo-release scoring determined by the fish length. Anglers receive 1 point per inch of fish to an accuracy of 1/10 inch. Length is determined from the forward-most point of the fish to the rear in a natural lay position and rounded down to the nearest 1/10 inch. A "natural lay position" is one in which the fish is centrally located on the ruler without any bending or manipulation of the fish to artificially extend or enhance its length measurement. The tail of the fish may be pinched unless the species specifically calls for a fork length measurement in the rules. Fish must be whole, non-mutilated (includes rigor mortis and clouded eyes), live, free from any stringer (as of 1/1/2011), and above Florida FWC minimums to count.
  13. AMBERJACK. Amberjack measurement is fork length with mouth closed to fork of the tail. Specimens may be dead or gaffed.
  14. BONEFISH. Bonefish measurement is fork length with mouth closed to fork of the tail.
  15. KING MACKEREL. Kingfish measurement is fork length with mouth closed to fork of the tail. Specimens may be dead or gaffed.
  16. TUNA. Tuna (Black or Yellowfin) measurement is fork length with mouth closed to fork of the tail. Specimens may be dead or gaffed.
  17. PRIZES. Prizes in Calcutta format tournaments are sent within 48 hours of tournament end. Prizes in Prize format tournaments are shipped out within one week of tournament end.
  18. PROTEST. All protests must be made in email or PM to a tournament official during the tournament for which the fish in question is caught. Entrants may only protest their own fish. Entrants may also be subject to a truth verification examination to verify questionable results.
  19. RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE. A waiver, release of liability, and covenant not to sue are part of the online registration. It is required that all contestants take responsibility for themselves while participating in event activities.
  20. PHOTO RELEASE. Scoring photos remain the sole ownership of 321fish.com to be used at their discretion. Contestants grant 321fish.com and the sponsors the unconditional right to use their name, voice, photographic likeness and biographical information in connection with 321fish.com tournaments, production, promotion, and/or articles and press releases, and shall not be entitled to receive any royalties or other compensation in connection with such use.
  21. RULE CHANGES. Rules interpretation is exclusively left to the Tournament Director. The decisions of the Tournament Director are final in all matters and are not subject to appeal.