Sneads Ferry King Mackerel Tournament – Official Rules & Terms

We reserve the right to refuse entry to any person or team. Boat captains or their representatives are encouraged to attend the Captains’ Meeting.

1. Eligible fish: King Mackerel of 30″ fork length or greater are considered eligible fish. If boats are not entered in aggregate TWTs, boats will choose the King Mackerel they will weigh to count in the tournament for primary prizes. Two King Mackerel may be weighed-in by each boat if they are entered in aggregate TWTs. The heaviest King Mackerel will be used to determine the boats’ placement regarding primary prizes and big fish secondary prizes. The second King Mackerel will be used as the aggregate fish for those boats entered in the Aggregate TWT or One Place 50/50 Aggregate TWT (two King Mackerel must be weighed to qualify for aggregate money). Only one primary prize can be won by each boat. Boats may win more than one secondary prize. Participants must declare Junior, Lady, and Senior anglers before close of registration to be eligible for these prizes. Junior, Lady, and Senior angler prizes will be determined by the heaviest King Mackerel weighed. In the event of a tie, the fish weighed in first will be the winner. Tournament rules below apply to the Dolphin and King Mackerel Division.
2. Tournament Within A Tournament (TWT): This TWT pays three places for the heaviest King Mackerel among the boats registered for this TWT.
3. High Roller TWT: This TWT pays three places for the heaviest King Mackerel among the boats registered for this TWT.
4. Dolphin Division: This TWT pays three places for the heaviest Dolphin among the boats registered for this TWT. Participants in the division may enter one Dolphin per boat. 
5. Small Boat TWT: A boat may enter the Small Boat TWT if the manufacturer lists the boat length overall (LOA) at 26’ 6” or less. This TWT pays three places for the heaviest King Mackerel among the boats registered for this TWT.
6. Single Engine TWT: This TWT pays three places for the heaviest King Mackerel among the boats registered for this TWT. A boat may enter the Single Engine TWT if the boat only has one motor, regardless of horsepower. 
7. Winner Take All TWT: This TWT pays one place for the heaviest King Mackerel among the boats registered for this TWT.
8. Two Fish Aggregate TWT: This is a King Mackerel aggregate TWT and two King Mackerel must be weighed to qualify. This TWT pays three places for the heaviest aggregate King Mackerel weight among the boats registered for this TWT.
9. One Place 50/50 Aggregate TWT: This is a King Mackerel aggregate TWT and two King Mackerel must be weighed to qualify. This TWT pays three places for the heaviest aggregate King Mackerel weight among the boats registered for this TWT. Fifty percent of entry monies paid in this category go to the Rotary Club of Sneads Ferry One Place Endowment, and fifty percent go to the top three places. Three place payout is 1st 50%, 2nd 30%, and 3rd 20%.
10. Fish must be weighed-in from the boat in which they were caught and on the day that they are caught. Overland transport of fish to the weigh station is not permitted.
11. Fishing lines may not be in the water earlier than 7 AM on the declared fishing day.
12. A fish may be disqualified by the Rules Committee if the Committee determines that the fighting ability of that fish has been impaired, or it is not fit for human consumption. Any fish found to contain any type of foreign object will be subject to disqualification.
13. All fish must be taken on rod and reel.
14. It is recommended that all boats have a marine VHF transceiver for safety and tournament information. Tournament Officials will monitor and relay pertinent information via Channel 68. Officials may be reached by phone at 252-647-6341.
15. All fish weighed shall become the property of the Rotary Club of Sneads Ferry. A weight receipt will be presented for signature. Once signed, all data will stand as is.
16. The Rules Committee and the Weigh Master have the right to refuse any fish. Final decision will be by Rules Committee.
17. The Tournament is a Captain’s Choice format, fishing one out of two days. Fishing days are August 15 and 16, 2026. In the event of “extreme” weather (named storm) both days, the tournament will be cancelled at the discretion of the Tournament Committee and no additional fishing days will be scheduled. If the Committee cancels the Tournament, 95% of all Tournament fees, including TWTs, will be refunded within sixty (60) days of the cancellation. The safety of each captain and its crew are the responsibility of the captain. 
18. Captains must declare a fishing day by 8 PM, Friday August 14, 2026. If a fishing day is not declared by this time, the registrant will be registered to fish Saturday. A boat can only be registered ONCE in this tournament. An individual boat and individual Captain can only be registered ONCE in this tournament.
19. The official weigh station will be located at Sneads Ferry Marina in Sneads Ferry, North Carolina. Scales will open at 2 PM on August 15 and 16, 2026.
20. Boats, with fish to be weighed, must be checked in by 5 PM on each fishing day. Check-in is the presentation of your assigned tournament boat number to an official aboard the Tournament Committee boat located where the Intracoastal Waterway intersects the New River.
21. Two or more boats may not come together to pass fish. EXCEPTION: A bona fide emergency, which must be reported immediately to the tournament officials via Channel 68 or by telephone 252-647-6341.
22. No one may leave a registered boat during fishing hours for any reason except a bona fide emergency, as described in paragraph 21 above, or to drop off one team member to bring the boat trailer to the weigh-in site.
23. There will be no official check-out location. Official Tournament fishing hours are from 7 AM to 5 PM on August 15 and 16, 2026.
24. Fishing boundaries: Boats must depart from and return through a North Carolina inlet.
25. Once officially registered, all fees are non-refundable. Additional TWTs can be added until registration closes.
26. To receive a Primary, Secondary, or Drawing Prize at the Awards Ceremony, registrant must be present and must show positive identification.
27. Sponsors and Tournament Officials are eligible to fish and win Primary and Secondary Prizes.
28. The Rules Committee reserves the right to approve or disapprove any application or applicant.
29. Official registration constitutes a representation by each entrant that he or she has read and fully understands the Tournament Rules, and that he or she will abide by such rules and the decisions of the Tournament Committee and personnel.
30. All protests shall be submitted in writing and accompanied by $500 cash protest fee to a Rules Committee member. If the protest is upheld, the fee will be returned; otherwise, it becomes the property of the Tournament. All protests must be submitted prior to 6 PM on the day that is fished.
31. Winning anglers, if directed by the Tournament Committee, must submit to a polygraph test within 72 hours after the last fish weighed. This decision is at the sole discretion of the Tournament Committee. Should the test be failed or not taken in a timely manner, the Tournament Committee reserves the right to forfeit all winnings awarded to the winner in question.
32. All rules made by the Rules Committee are binding and all decisions are final. The Tournament reserves the right to amend the rules. If questions or situations arise which are not addressed by these rules, the Rules Committee shall determine all solutions, and their decisions shall be final.
33. Captains and Crews are responsible for following all Federal and State fishing and boating regulations, including State required fishing licenses.
34. A boat may not be replaced after the registration closes at 8 PM, August 15, 2026, without approval by the Rules Committee. The Rules Committee reserves the right to inspect all boats.
35. Junior, Lady, and Senior Anglers must be declared on the entry form. They must be on the boat during the tournament competition to be eligible for prize money. These prizes are based on the heaviest King Mackerel weighed.
36. All tournament fish to be weighed must be transported from the dock to the weigh station accompanied by a boat representative. All fished weighed will become property of the Rotary Club of Sneads Ferry.
37. Weigh-in updates will be posted on the Sneads Ferry Rotary KMT Facebook page.
38. Be Safe. This event is a fun charity event. Be nice to those who volunteer or please choose another fishing tournament.