17th Annual Flounder Tournament

Saturday, August 3, 2024 the Worcester County Chamber of Commerce in Ocean Pines will hold its 17th annual Flounder Tournament & Auction.  Larger cash prizes this year!!  Please note rules below.

T-shirt Sponsor:  $300 Your logo will grace the annual, collectible t-shirt. This level includes ONE tournament entry


   
Skipper Sponsor: $500 Your logo will grace the annual, collectible t-shirt and all media marketing.  This level includes TWO tournament entries.

              

1st Mate Sponsor: $700 Your logo will grace the annual, collectible t-shirt and all media marketing.  You will be able to have marketing materials displayed during the event.  This level includes THREE tournament entries.

      

Captain Sponsor: $1,000 Your logo will grace the annual, collectible t-shirt and all media marketing.  You will be able to have marketing materials displayed during the event.  This level includes FOUR tournament entries.


Admiral Sponsor: $2,000 The ONE & ONLY.  Your logo will grace the annual, collectible t-shirt and all media marketing.  You will be able to have marketing materials displayed during the event.  This level includes EIGHT tournament entries.

In Maryland waters, 17.5 inches is legal.
Winning fish is based on length.  
1st Place = $1,000
2nd Place = $500
3rd Place = $250
Junior angler (13 and under) = $100 for longest fish

TOURNAMENT RULES

Registration & Eligibility:  You must register for the tournament no later than Friday, August 2, 2024 at 12 Noon.  All fees must accompany registration form.  Eligibility includes fishing from boat, surf, pier or bridge...see below for specific details.  Those fishing on flounder charter boats are eligible to fish in this tournament.  However, not eligible for the tournament are the charter Captains and acting 1st Mates the day of the tournament.

Tackle Requirements: All fish must be landed using rod and reel, hook, and line. You must hook, fight, and land your own fish.

Where to Fish: Fish must be caught in Maryland waters, Coastal Bays, or inshore waterways to the Delaware and Virginia state line.  Fish must be hooked within 3 nautical miles of shore.  Tournament EXCLUDES the Chesapeake Bay.

Fishing Date and Time: Lines in the water no earlier than 7:00am, lines out of the water no later than 3:00pm on Saturday, August 3, 2024.

Weigh-In: Weigh-In will be from 12:00pm until 4:00pm at the Ocean Pines Yacht Club  Marina.  Prizes will be awarded immediately following the last weigh in.  Winners are based on total length of the fish.  In the case of a tie in length of fish, the weight will determine the winner.  Cash prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. Mooring space limited!  If possible please drive fish to scales before 4pm.  Thank you.

Calcuttas: These are PER ANGLER, not per boat.  We will have 2 available Calcutta categories:

1) $20.00 optional fee for longest flounder. 90% of the calcutta collected gets divided as such: 50% to 1st, 25% to 2nd, and 15% to 3rd. 
2) $20.00 optional fee for heaviest flounder.  90% of the calcutta collected gets divided as such: 50% to 1st, 25% to 2nd, and 15% to 3rd. 

Regulations & NEW! Minimum Size: Anglers must comply with all Federal and State of Maryland laws regarding size and number of flounder caught.  The Maryland Department of Natural Resources sets the minimum size requirements for recreational summer flounder each year.  The 2024 recreational minimum size for summer flounder is 17.5 inches in all MD waters, the limit of flounder caught is 4/person/day .  Visit www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries for more information.   

NOTE:
1) All fish will be subject to any examination judges feel appropriate for the integrity of the tournament.
2) Violations of the tournament rules shall constitute grounds for disqualification.
3) Judges shall rule on any violations.  The decision of the judges shall be final.
4) ENTRY FEE & CALCUTTA BUY IN ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.
5) Only ONE fish entry per person.
6) Tournament is rain or shine (exception: may be rescheduled if hurricane forecasted)