1. The deadline for entries is Friday, December 15th, 2023 at 8:00pm. Every captain or his designee must register at Yankee Point Marina in the Captains Lounge Restaurant at 1303 Oak Hill Road, Lancaster, VA 22503 between 4:00pm and 8:00pm that day. Tournament registration materials including captain’s bags for every boat must be picked up at that time.

2. Guaranteed $5,000.00 in cash prizes:

1. Open category: 1st $2,500.00, 2nd $1,500,00, 3rd $1,000.00.
2. 16 and under category: 1st $500.00, 2nd $350.00, 3rd $150.00

All fish in all categories must be between 20 and 36 inches long and compliant to all rules outlined by Virginia Marine Resources (VMR) for December.

3. The entry fee is $200.00 per boat with up to 4 anglers, $50.00 for each additional angler. There is a 50-boat limit. Entry forms may be mailed to Yankee Point Marina, 1303 Oak Hill Road, Lancaster, VA 22503, or presented at the registration on Friday, December 15th, 2023.

4. This is a two-day tournament. You can fish Saturday and/or Sunday. The heaviest two fish per boat per day that are between 20 and 36 inches in length, with no more than one fish per angler per day, will be weighed for cash prizes in the open category. For the two-day tournament, each boat is eligible to win in with its two heaviest fish that had been eligible for daily weighing. Additional fish between 20 to 36 inches long caught by anglers 16 years old and younger may also be weighed and considered for the 16 and under category.

• Please note: All fish submitted for weigh in must be accompanied by the angler or representative of the boat. If you fish both days and weigh a fish both days only the heaviest two will be eligible for cash prizes.
• All fish in all categories must be compliant with Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) Rockfish guidelines for December.

5. Dockage to be provided free of charge at Yankee Point Marina from Friday through Sunday night. Reservations must be made in advance by contacting the marina at 804 462 7635 or by email, sally@yankeepointmarina.com

6. All entry forms must be signed by the vessel captain, or a designated responsible person. That individual must be at least 18 years old and be onboard the boat during the tournament. Every angler that will be fishing in the tournament must be listed on the entry from.

7. All participants must adhere to the Virginia Salt Water Fishing Tournament and the Salt Water Fishing Regulations as determined by the VMRC. Per a VMRC regulation as of August 1, 2020, any person fishing striped bass recreationally shall use non-offset, corrodible, non-stainless steel circle hooks when fishing with bait, live or chunk.

We encourage all anglers to catch and release all fish that are not in the running for winning a category.

8. It shall be unlawful for any person to gaff or attempt to gaff any striped bass at any time.

9. The tournament director listed on the entry form is ineligible to compete.

10. This is a CAPTAIN’S CHOICE tournament. It is the captain’s responsibility to decide whether to fish. A GALE WARNING is the ONLY weather condition that will cancel fishing. If a gale warning is posted by NOAA at 6:00am on Saturday or Sunday, that day will be canceled. If both days are canceled a drawing for the cash prizes will be held at Yankee Point Marina on Sunday at 5:00. If there are questions about cancelations call Todd Patterson at 804-462-7635 ext 1930.

11. No lines in the water prior to sunrise on both days of the tournament.

12. All fish must be caught in a sportsman like manner on hook and line. Fish must be hooked and played by a single angler who does not receive assistance from anyone. Hand lining between the terminal end snap/snap swivel and the fish for the purpose of netting is permissible. Gaffing rockfish is illegal in Virginia and is therefore prohibited. Any fish showing fresh marks other than those made by landing nets or hooks may be disqualified. Failure to maintain a contestant’s fish on ice and in good condition my result in disqualification. Anglers presenting a fish to be weighed will be required to attest to the above at weigh in.

13. WEIGH-IN PROCEDURE: The tournament committee will monitor VHF channels 69. Please use other channels to communicate between boats.

1. You must bring your catch in by boat to Yankee Point Marina before 4:00pm, in sight of the Yankee Point Marina docks and contact the weigh master Todd Patterson or his assigns on VHF channel 69 or by phone, 804-462-7635, with the boat number and that there is a fish to be weighed. Then proceed in an orderly safe manner to the transient dock or your assigned slip. Do not tie up any longer than needed on the transient dock.
2. The weigh station will be open from 2:00pm to 4:00pm. No exceptions.

14. The weigh master will be Todd Patterson or his assigns with assistance from the Virginia Marine Police to confirm that the fish being weighed have not been tampered with and were freshly caught the day of the tournament. The heaviest fish weighed may be dissected.

15. The winning fish will be determined first by weight, then by length (nose to furthest tip of the tail along a straight line). ALL PRIZES WILL BE PAID TO THE PERSON WHO SIGNED THE ENTRY FORM, regardless of the person who caught the fish. To avoid misunderstandings the Tournament Committee urges all participants to develop their own arrangement for the distribution of prizes among captain and crew.

16. All boats should be equipped with a functioning VHF radio. To reach tournament headquarters use VHF channel 69 or call 804-462-7635.

17. The Tournament Committee reserves the right to inspect any boat that participates in the tournament.

18. Any protest concerning a violation of the rules must be presented to the Tournament Committee in writing at weigh-in between 2:00pm and 4:00pm on the day of the alleged violation.

19. Tournament fishing is limited to the Rappahannock River and its tributaries between Robert O. Norris Bridge and The Downing Bridge.

20. FISH CONSERVATION IS ENCOURAGED! Please limit your catch on tournament days. All boats should have a functional safe de-hooking device and an accurate hand scale on board. Please support catch and release.

21. Violation of any of the above rules will constitute grounds for disqualification. THE TOURNAMENT COMMITTEE’S DECISIONS SHALL BE FINAL.

For more information please email the Tournament Director Todd Patterson, Todd@yankeepointmarina.com, or by phone, 804-462-7635.