Rules

2024 El Cheapo Sheepshead Tournament Rules

 REGISTRATION:

1. Entry fees are non-refundable.
2. Registered Anglers are responsible for reading the Tournament Rules and Procedures and are expected to abide by these rules and the decisions of the 2024 El Cheapo Tournament.
3. The El Cheapo Sheepshead Tournament reserves the right to deny participation to any Angler who has violated Tournament rules in any previous tournament.

ANGLER RULES MEETING: 7:00 PM Friday March 1,2024

1. Location: Mayport Community Center (4875 Ocean Street, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233)
2. Registered Anglers must attend the Angler Rules Meeting. Anglers are responsible for being informed of all Tournament Rules and Procedures, including any amendments made prior to the start of fishing.
3. The El Cheapo Sheepshead Tournament may amend the Tournament Rules at any time prior to the start of fishing.

PRIZES 

1. All advertised cash prizes are based upon a minimum of 300 paid General Division Entries to the El Cheapo Sheepshead Tournament. The El Cheapo Sheepshead Tournament reserves the right to adjust the prize structure if there are less than 300 paid entries.
2. Anglers may only win ONE El Cheapo Sheepshead Tournament PRIZE POSITION. Registered Lady Anglers and/or Registered Kayak Anglers that have chosen to enter the General Division as well will be awarded the highest monetary prize for their winning Sheepshead.

TOURNAMENT BOUNDARIES

1. All Anglers must remain within the Tournament Boundaries.
2. There are no Tournament Boundaries to the East.
3. The North Tournament Boundary is located at N 31° 34.000 (North Border of Sapelo Sound, Georgia).
4. The South Tournament Boundary is located at N 29° 04.000 (South Side of Ponce Inlet).
5. The West Tournament Boundary is Interstate 75 in Florida and Georgia.

FISHING RULES

1. Target species is Sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus).
2. A valid Fishing License (Florida or Georgia) is Required of all Registered Anglers participating in the 2024 El Cheapo Sheepshead Tournament (Junior Anglers must be compliant with State Fishing License regulations). Registered Anglers without a current fishing license will be disqualified from the tournament.
3. Fishing begins at 6:47 AM (Eastern Standard Time) on March 2, 2024. No lines in the water until 6:47 AM.
4. All Sheepshead eligible for the El Cheapo Sheepshead Tournament must be caught from a Boat or Kayak. You Must Stay in your vessel when catching your eligible Sheepshead.
5. Any Sheepshead caught from a bridge, land or pier Do Not Qualify for the El Cheapo Sheepshead Tournament.
6. All Sheepshead must be caught on a rod and reel.
7. No Electric Reels are to be used to catch Sheepshead for this tournament. Special exceptions will be considered by the El Cheapo Sheepshead Tournament Co-Chairs, in advance of the Start of the Tournament, on request.
8. JUNIOR ANGLERS – Junior Anglers must be UNDER the age of 16 as of March 2, 2024. (Birthdate no earlier than March 3, 2008)

NO CHECK-OUT OR CHECK-IN

1. This is an “Open Launch” Tournament Format.
2. There is no visual or radio call-in CHECK-OUT or CHECK-IN for this tournament.
3. The El Cheapo Sheepshead Tournament Base will be monitoring VHF Channel 78.
4. If there is an El Cheapo Sheepshead Tournament concern, please reach out via VHF 78, or by Landline to:

Bill Pollackov (Tournament Director/ Co-Chair)…………… 904-207-1148

Darrin Willingham (JOSFC V.P./ Co-Chair)……………………. 904-422-8799

WEIGHING IN FISH 

1. All Anglers intending to weigh fish must be IN THE WEIGH-IN LINE at the Tournament Site (Mayport Community Center) prior to 4:00 PM (Eastern Standard Time). 4:00 PM is the CLOSE of Weigh-In line. All anglers in line by 4:00 PM are eligible to weigh their legal Sheepshead.
2. Anglers may bring their Sheepshead to the WEIGH-IN at the Tournament Site by vehicle (Car/ Truck/Motorcycle/Bicycle, etc).
3. Adult Anglers registered in the Two-Fish Aggregate Sheepshead Calcutta may bring a MAXIMUM of TWO Sheepshead for Weigh-in. The heaviest fish will qualify for the Tournament Prize Structure.
4. The Aggregate Weight of two fish will qualify for the Two-Fish Aggregate Sheepshead CALCUTTA ONLY (There is NO tournament Prize for Aggregate weight).
5. All fish weighed become property of the Tournament and will be made into delectable treats.
6. All fish submitted for weigh-in must be of legal size, fresh, edible condition, and caught on the tournament day.
7. Mutilated fish will not qualify to win any prize in the Tournament. The Tournament Weigh Master’s decision regarding mutilation will be final and binding for all Tournament participants.
8. In the event of a tie in fish weights, the winner shall be determined by the earliest time that your Sheepshead is weighed.
9. All information printed on the weigh-in slip is binding. It is the responsibility of the Angler to review the weigh-in slip information and address necessary corrections immediately.

BIG FISH SHEEPSHEAD CALCUTTA ($25 Entry)

1. The OPTIONAL Big Fish Sheepshead Calcutta entry is $25 per Angler.
2. Registration for the El Cheapo Sheepshead Tournament DOES NOT automatically enter the Angler into the Big Fish Sheepshead Calcutta.
3. The Big Fish Sheepshead Calcutta is ONLY open to Adult Anglers Registered in the El Cheapo Sheepshead Tournament.
4. Junior Anglers are NOT eligible for the Two-Fish Sheepshead Aggregate Calcutta.
5. Payout Structure:

          1st Place Big Fish Calcutta – 50%

          2nd Place Big Fish Calcutta – 30%

          3rd Place Big Fish Calcutta – 20%

TWO- FISH SHEEPSHEAD AGGREGATE CALCUTTA ($50 Entry)

1. The Two-Fish Sheepshead Aggregate Calcutta entry is $50 per Angler.
2. Registration for the El Cheapo Sheepshead Tournament DOES NOT automatically enter the Angler into the Two-Fish Sheepshead Aggregate Calcutta.
3. The Two-Fish Sheepshead Aggregate Calcutta is ONLY open to Adult Anglers Registered in the El Cheapo Sheepshead Tournament.
4. Junior Anglers are NOT eligible for the Two-Fish Sheepshead Aggregate Calcutta.
5. Payout Structure:

          1st Place Big Fish Calcutta – 50%

          2nd Place Big Fish Calcutta – 30%

          3rd Place Big Fish Calcutta – 20%

THE LUCKY SHEEPSHEAD RAFFLE (Winner receives $1,000)

Every Registered Adult Angler that weighs in a Sheepshead for the 2024 El Cheapo Sheepshead Tournament will receive ONE (1) Raffle ticket good ONLY for the Lucky Sheepshead Raffle.

1. There is no entry fee for this raffle.
2. Only ONE PRIZE will be awarded.
3. This will be the final Raffle on Tournament Day.
4. Please do not lose your Raffle Ticket. No Additional or Replacement Tickets will be issued for any reason.
5. YOU MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN.
6. You MUST respond within ONE MINUTE of the Lucky Sheepshead Raffle Ticket number being called. When the ONE MINUTE time period has expired, that Raffle Ticket will be VOIDED (No Longer Eligible for the $1,000 prize) and the next Raffle Ticket will be Drawn in the same sequence until a winner is determined.

BOATING SAFETY 

1. Each boat must meet all Federal, State, and Local laws and safety regulations for its size. All Captains are responsible for compliance with all applicable Federal, State, and Local fishing laws and regulations.
2. Violation of any statute or marine regulation or directive by an Angler may be grounds for disqualification in the sole discretion of the El Cheapo Sheepshead Tournament.

 PROTESTS 

1. Any protest must be submitted to the Co-Chairs in writing within 15 minutes after the closing of the weigh-in station.
2. A three hundred-dollar ($300) deposit must accompany each protest. In the event the protest is upheld, the deposit will be refunded. If the protest is not upheld, the deposit will be forfeited. The final decisions of the El Cheapo Sheepshead Tournament are binding regarding any protest.

POLYGRAPH 

1. All Adult Anglers agree to submit to a polygraph at the request of the El Cheapo Sheepshead Tournament Co-Chairs. Failure to take, pass and/or submit to the polygraph will result in disqualification of the Angler and they will subsequently forfeit all winnings.
2. If a Polygraph is deemed necessary, The Angler selected for a polygraph must have in their possession a valid picture ID and a Current Florida or Georgia State fishing license.

MISCELLANEOUS 

1. Any matter not specifically covered by these rules may be decided by and at the sole discretion of the El Cheapo Sheepshead Tournament Co-Chairs and final decisions shall be binding.
2. The El Cheapo Sheepshead Tournament reserves the right to delay, cancel or reschedule the Tournament if conditions, including but not limited to the weather conditions, are unfavorable or unsafe in the sole judgment of the El Cheapo Sheepshead Tournament Co-Chairs.
3. The El Cheapo Sheepshead Tournament reserves the right to amend any rule due to safety concerns.
4. Participants of the El Cheapo Sheepshead Tournament enter at their own risk.