​​Participants:

This event is open to all men, women, and children. The registered boat angler or shore angler (individual fishing from the shore, dock, pier, or bridge) must be at least 16 years old. All participants must have a valid fishing license as required by law.

 

Entry Fee/Registration:

Registration is $75.00 per angler. You can register online (preferred) at https://jmcredfishroundup.com/   Registration fee is non-refundable. Registration closes at 4 pm on Friday, May 29,2026.

 

Captain's Meeting:

A mandatory meeting will be held May 28,2026 at 6:30 p.m. LOCATION TBA. All entrants and participants are responsible for knowing and following all rules. Tournament rules may be amended at the Captain’s Meeting.

 

Boating Safety:

Every boat must meet all Federal, State, and Local safety regulations for its size. All anglers are responsible to ensure all applicable Federal, State, and local fishing laws and regulations are adhered to by all members of their crew. Violation of any statute or marine regulation or directive by a boat or Angler may be grounds for disqualification in the sole discretion of the Tournament Rules Committee.

 

Fishing Methods:

Legal methods for catching fish are rod and reel. You may use live, dead or artificial baits. All fish must be caught during the tournament hours. The use of circle hooks is encouraged for easy catch and release.

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Angler number:

Each entrant (general, lady, and junior) will receive a number at the Captain’s Meeting. This number must accompany the fish when presented for scoring.

 

Scoring:

Event scoring is determined by the number of spots on both sides of a live, legal-size Red Fish.  Anglers receive 1 point per spot. All anglers must comply with Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission rules and be within the Florida FWC slot of 18”-27” in a natural lay position with tail pinched. All-natural black spots 11/64” or greater are counted and a clear and distinct line must be visible between spots. Fish must be whole, non-mutilated with every possible means made to ensure a live release. Dead fish will be penalized one spot.  All fish may be brought by boat or by car. This is a catch and release tournament so fish presented for scoring will be returned to the angler.

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JUNIOR ANGLERS (Must be 15 years of age or younger as of the Red Fish Roundup Tournament date) and  LADY ANGLERS (age 16 and up) may register for an additional fee of $15.00 for JUNIOR ANGLERS and $25.00 for

LADY ANGLERS. Each will be competing for a separate prize structure and must follow all tournament rules. Each Junior/Lady Angler must be fishing with a registered general tournament angler. A lady angler may be the registered angler and a lady angler, she can bring in one fish. She must decide in which division she would like the fish scored.

 

Check-Out:

The tournament is an open launch format. Participants can fish in any waters in North Florida or South Georgia starting at safe light on Saturday, May 30, 2026. Fishing will commence at safe light. The use of Marine VFH-FM radios is recommended and must comply with FCC and USCG regulations. The use of profane or derogatory remarks while using these radios may result in disqualification.

 

Check-In:

Check-in will be held at Jim King Park and Boat Ramp, 8203 Heckscher Dr. Jacksonville, Fl. beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, 2026. All competitors must be in the check line at the tournament sit by 2:00 pm to be eligible for fishing prizes. All Jr. Anglers 6 years of age and under must wear an Approved USCG Flotation Device while on the floating dock. After leaving the floating dock they may remove the PFD while in the weigh-in line.

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Prizes:

Only one prize will be awarded per angler registered in each tournament.

 

Tie Breakers:

All ties will be determined by the earliest check-in time.

 

Protests:

Any protest must be submitted to the Weigh Master in person and in writing  within 30 minutes after the closing of the weigh-in station on the day of the Tournament. Only an Angler registered in the Tournament may file a protest. Each protest must be accompanied by a TWO hundred dollars ($200) CASH deposit. In the event the protest is upheld, the deposit will be refunded. If the protest is not upheld, the deposit will be forfeited. The decisions of the Rules Committee are binding regarding any protest.

 

POLYGRAPH:

All Anglers agree to submit to a polygraph at the request of the Tournament. Failure to submit to such an examination will result in disqualification of the Angler at the sole discretion of the Rules Committee.

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Tournament Officials:

All decisions regarding the interpretation of these rules, including decisions relating to disqualification shall  be made by the Tournament Officials in its sole discretion and will be final.

 

MISCELLANEOUS:

And matter not specifically covered by these rules may be decided by and at the sole discretion of the Tournament’s Rules Committee and the decisions of the Rules Committee shall be binding. The Tournament reserves the right to delay, cancel or reschedule the Tournament if the weather conditions are unfavorable or Tournament Rules Committee reserves the right to amend any rule due to safety concerns. If the Tournament shall be delayed, canceled, or rescheduled to any cause beyond the control of Jacksonville Marine Charities, Inc. d/b/a The Great Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament, no entry fee shall be refunded to the entrants and entrants shall have no claim against Jacksonville Marine Charities, Inc. for return of any portion of entry fee.

 

 

The Tournament Rules Committee may amend the Tournament Rules at any time prior to the end of the Captains’ Meeting.