Panama City Beach Fishing Rodeo

2026 Rodeo Rules

Scope: These rules govern BCARA’s 4th Annual Panama City Beach Fishing Rodeo to be held October 3 through October 11, 2026.

*New rules for 2026 are noted within the sections below.

GENERAL

  1. Contestants shall abide by all Rodeo rules. All rules are interpreted by the Rodeo Rules Committee and/or Board of Directors. All decisions are final.
  2. Rules may be modified or interpreted at any time to address unusual or emergency conditions.
  3. Any winning angler or captain may be subject to a polygraph test to verify authenticity of catch.
  4. Failure of a polygraph test or confirmed cheating will result in disqualification from the current Rodeo and the following two years.
  5. Scales are considered accurate unless failure occurs. No fish will be re-weighed.
  6. Land Division: Fishing is restricted to piers, jetties, surf, land, kayaks, or paddle boards. All fish must be caught between Phillips Inlet and Port St. Joe Bay.
  7. All boats must enter and return through St. Andrew’s Bay Pass.
  8. Boat Entry: A valid registration must be submitted prior to first weigh-in. Registration deadline is October 2, 2026 at 8:00PM. Late registration requires a 24-hour waiting period before weigh-in eligibility.
  9. All fish must be caught on rod and reel using hook and line. Handheld electric reels are permitted.
  10. Fish must be weighed in the division the vessel is registered in.
  11. Boats may register in a higher division but will compete only in that division.
  12. Boats may not depart before 12:01AM and must return by 7:00PM daily. Final day weigh-in closes at 5:00PM on October 11, 2026.
  13. Bluewater Division vessels may depart after the Captain’s Meeting with no trip time restriction.
  14. Largest fish by weight wins. Ties are decided by earliest weigh-in.
  15. Anglers are responsible for fish disposal except for Lionfish.
  16. Only two fish per species, per vessel, per day may be weighed.
  17. Captain and angler must be present at weigh-in and sign official entry forms.
  18. Spoiled, frozen, mutilated, or altered fish are not eligible.
  19. Largest fish should be presented first during weigh-in.
  20. Ineligible participants include commercial crew earning income underway, commercial trip returns, Rodeo officials, and others as defined.
  21. Dockmaster check-in is required prior to weigh-in during peak times.
  22. Unsportsmanlike conduct may result in disqualification.
  23. All protests must be submitted in writing within 72 hours with a $500 deposit.
  24. FWC recreational bag limits must be followed at all times.
  25. All sharks must be properly gutted prior to weigh-in.
  26. No charter/commercial crew may compete outside the charter division.
  27. No liability is assumed by BCARA or Capt. Anderson Marina.
  28. State charter boats may not fish outside state waters during Rodeo participation.
  29. New for 2026: Bluewater and Diving Divisions have been added. See rules below.

DIVE CATEGORY

  1. Divers must provide certification at registration.
  2. All state and federal regulations apply.
  3. Only pole spears and spear guns allowed. Powerheads prohibited.
  4. All Lionfish must be retained by the Rodeo.

BLUEWATER DIVISION

  1. Optional offshore division targeting pelagic species and billfish.
  2. Registration in both Rodeo and Bluewater Division required.
  3. Optional Calcutta tiers available.
  4. Buy-ins range from $250 to $5,000.
  5. Each tier pays independently.
  6. 10% retained by BCARA, 90% paid out (70% 1st, 30% 2nd).
  7. Calcutta entries must be completed at Captain’s Meeting (cash only).
  8. Catch & Release billfish category included.
  9. Eligible species: Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Sailfish, Swordfish.
  10. Video verification required.
  11. Each release = 1 point. Most points wins.
  12. Tuna, Wahoo, and Mahi must be weighed in Bluewater Division only.

MANDATORY CAPTAIN’S MEETING

  1. Friday October 2, 2026 at Captain Anderson’s Event Center.
  2. At least one crew member must attend.
  3. Final rules and waiver will be distributed.
  4. Registration bag includes t-shirt, meal ticket, and drink ticket.
  5. Doors open 4:30PM. Dinner at 6:00PM.

AWARDING OF PRIZES

  1. Unclaimed prizes revert after 30 days.
  2. Daily prizes must be claimed within 48 hours.
  3. Prizes must be picked up by the winner unless authorized.
  4. Kids (12 and under) receive one award per tournament.
  5. Jackpot fish must be entered in Rod & Reel, Diving, or Bluewater divisions.

DEFINITIONS

  1. Immediate Family: Father, Mother, Brother, Sister, Son, Daughter, Spouse.
  2. Charter Boat: For-hire fishing vessel.
  3. Private Boat: Non-commercial vessel.
  4. Party Boat: Commercial multi-passenger vessel.
  5. Non-motorized Vessel: Human powered only.
  6. 26 and Under: 25’11” and below.
  7. Registered Entry: Official weigh-in entry.
  8. Crew Member: Earns 50%+ income from fishing operations.

FISH CATEGORIES & DIVISIONS

Federal Charter Boats

  1. King Mackerel
  2. Vermillon Snapper
  3. All Grouper
  4. Wahoo
  5. Mahi Mahi
  6. Spanish Mackerel
  7. All Tuna
  8. Triggerfish
  9. Shark
  10. Black Snapper

Recreational Boats 26’+

  1. King Mackerel
  2. Vermillon Snapper
  3. All Grouper
  4. Wahoo
  5. Mahi Mahi
  6. Red Snapper (Fri–Sun)
  7. Spanish Mackerel
  8. All Tuna
  9. Triggerfish
  10. Shark
  11. Black Snapper

State Charter Boats

  1. King Mackerel
  2. Spanish Mackerel
  3. Flounder
  4. Speckled Trout
  5. Mahi Mahi
  6. Red Snapper (Fri–Sun)
  7. Redfish (Most Spots)
  8. All Tuna
  9. Triggerfish
  10. All Grouper
  11. Black Snapper

Recreational Boats Under 26’

  1. King Mackerel
  2. Spanish Mackerel
  3. Flounder
  4. Speckled Trout
  5. Mahi Mahi
  6. Red Snapper (Fri–Sun)
  7. Redfish (Most Spots)
  8. All Tuna
  9. Triggerfish
  10. All Grouper
  11. Black Snapper

Land-Based Division

  1. King Mackerel
  2. Spanish Mackerel
  3. Flounder
  4. Speckled Trout
  5. Pompano
  6. Redfish (Most Spots)

Head/Party Boat Division

  1. Vermillon Snapper
  2. All Porgy
  3. Black or Lane Snapper
  4. Triggerfish
  5. All Tuna
  6. All Grouper

Diving Division

  1. Most Lionfish
  2. Largest Lionfish
  3. Red Snapper (Fri–Sun)
  4. Black Snapper
  5. Red Grouper
  6. Largest Lobster

Bluewater Division

  1. Blue Marlin
  2. Tuna
  3. Mahi Mahi
  4. Wahoo
  5. Swordfish
  6. Catch & Release Billfish

Kid’s Division

  1. Ages 15 and under
  2. Largest fish (excluding sharks)

Ladies Division

  1. Ages 16 and over
  2. Largest fish (excluding sharks)

JACKPOT CATEGORIES

Rod & Reel Jackpot – $2,500

  1. Largest fish overall (excluding shark)
  2. Largest legal shark
  3. Largest Speckled Trout or Flounder

Diving Jackpot – $1,000

  1. Most Lionfish

Bluewater Jackpot – $1,000

  1. Largest fish (excluding shark)