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.

GENERAL

  1. Contestants shall abide by the Rodeo rules. All rules are interpreted by the Rodeo Rules Committee and/or Board of Directors. The decisions of the official Rodeo Rules Committee and/or Board of Directors shall be final.
  2. Rules may be modified, interpreted or changed without notice to meet unusual or emergency conditions by action of the Rodeo Rules Committee and/or Board of Directors.
  3. Any winning angler or captain is subject to a polygraph test to verify authenticity of catch. The Rules Committee and/or Board of Directors will determine cause for the test.
  4. Anyone who fails a polygraph test or is determined cheating (by the Rules Committee and/or Board of Directors) will be disqualified from participating in the rest of the year’s Rodeo and the following two years Rodeos. All catches in the current Rodeo will be disqualified.
  5. Scales are considered accurate to the point of failure. Failed scales will be substituted with State certified, calibrated scales. No fish will be re-hung or re-weighed.
  6. All boats must enter and return from the Gulf through the St. Andrew’s Bay Pass.
  7. Boat Entry: A copy of a State/Coast Guard issued Boat Registration Form must be on file with the Rodeo prior to first weigh-in. Boats and/or competitors entered after the beginning of the Rodeo in any division are not eligible for competition until the day following registration. Teams/individuals can register for the tournament through 8:00 PM on October 2, 2026 to be eligible to fish beginning October 3, 2026. Registration after tournament begins is allowed, however no fish may be weighed in for 24 hours post registration.
  8. All fish caught in the rod and reel division must be caught using hook and line. Handheld electric reels may be used.
  9. Fish can only be weighed in the division the boat is entered in and caught on.
  10. If a boat would like to participate in higher category divisions, it may register at a higher level but all fish will be weighed against that category. For example, if an under 26′ vessel would like to fish for the categories in the 26′ and over division, it may register at the higher level but all fish weighed would be in the 26′ and over division. Fish will only be weighed in the division registered for regardless of the size of the vessel.

Boats may not leave St. Andrew’s Bay Pass prior to 12:01 a.m. each day and must return to weigh-in by 7:00 p.m. daily. Scales will close on the final day, October 11th, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Vessels participating in the Blue Water and Dive Divisions can leave after the captains meeting with no time restrictions on trip length. A daily bag limit will apply.

  1. Prize winning fish shall be the largest by weight. In the event of a tie, the first fish recorded shall be the winner.
  2. It is the responsibility of the angler to dispose of all fish with the exception of Lionfish.
  3. Angler must be clearly identified prior to weighing fish. Only two fish per species, per day, per vessel will be weighed. Boat captain and angler must be present, sign official entry form and verify the weight and angler of each fish officially entered in BCARA’s Panama City Beach Fishing Rodeo at the time of weigh-in. The Angler’s SSN will be required prior to being awarded a cash prize. By signing the official entry form, the captain also attests the angler whose name appears on the entry form did catch the fish being weighed. The captain’s signature and initials at Division Line further attests to the division being entered. No changes in division will be allowed after the entry form is signed. The captain’s signature proves ALL information on the form is correct.
  4. Fish which have spoiled, been mutilated, frozen or appear or have been frozen, or chemically treated are not eligible for competition.
  5. In an effort to expedite the weigh-in process, the largest fish in each division should be presented first.
  6. The following persons are not eligible for awards:
    1. Captains/crew members related to revenue generation while underway on charter/commercial boats;
    2. Commercial fishermen returning from a commercial trip are ineligible to enter fish from that trip;
    3. No fish caught on a Recreational Rodeo trip may be sold, bartered or traded;
    4. Commercial fishing pier owners/operators may not enter a fish in land based division;
    5. Rodeo officials (See Definitions).
  7. To expedite the weigh-in process during heavy traffic times, all boats will be required to check-in with the DOCKMASTER and be visually recognized. Open Division contenders will be given a timestamp to avoid controversy in case of a tie. Order of weigh-in will be left to the discretion of the Dock Master.
  8. Unsportsmanlike action by Rodeo participant may disqualify that individual from this and future events.
  9. Complaints and protest must be in the form of a written statement and personally turned in to the Rodeo officials on duty not later than 7:00 p.m., seventy-two (72) hours following the occurrence which occasioned the complaint. A cash deposit of five hundred dollars ($500) must accompany the protest. The burden of proof is on the Protestor. If the compliant or protest is found to be valid, the deposit is returned. If not, the deposit becomes property of BCARA’s Panama City Beach Fishing Rodeo. Once a protest has been filed, the protested must be notified and has 72 hours to reply, in writing, their position on the protest. If the Board determines that a polygraph is required, the protested has 48 hours to inform the Board of their intentions whether to take the polygraph. The Board will strive to settle the matter within 14 days of the written position by the protested.
  10. Participants in the Rodeo may not possess in excess of the FWC Recreational bag limits. Commercial quantities may not be possessed even for boats commercially permitted.
  11. All sharks MUST be properly gutted prior to weigh in. Tournament officials must approve of proper gutting prior to weigh in, and have the right to refuse the permission to weigh in any sharks that are not properly gutted.
  12. No charter/commercial crew members can compete in any other divisions other than the charters division.
  13. No one affiliated with the rodeo or Capt. Anderson Marina is liable for any damage to property or persons during the tournament.
  14. State charter boats are not able to fish outside of state waters at any time while on a trip that is participating in weighing fish in the Rodeo.
  15. New categories for 2026 include the Bluewater Division and Diving Division. Additional rules for new categories are below. All general rules still apply.

LAND BASED DIVISION

  1. Anglers can only fish from piers, jetties, surf and land or from a non-motorized kayak or paddle board. All fish must be caught within the area between Phillips Inlet and Port St. Joe Bay.
  2. Kids 15 and under can participate for free with the registration of one parent or guardian.
  3. Kids must be listed on the parent or guardians’ registration application.
  4. A maximum of two children per registered adult.

DIVE CATEGORY

  1. All dive participants must provide proof of certification at registration and divers must not exceed certification limits while spearfishing in BCARA’s PCB Fishing Rodeo.
  2. This division is for recreational and charter divers only. No commercial diving permitted.
  3. All dive participants must adhere to Florida State and Federal size, bag and season limits.
  4. Methods of harvest include pole spears and standard spear guns. Powerheads are prohibited.
  5. All lionfish will be retained by the Rodeo.
  6. Divers are only eligible to win the $1,000 Jackpot prize in Diving. They are not eligible to win the Rod and Reel Jackpot fish.

BLUEWATER DIVISION

  1. The Bluewater Division provides offshore anglers an additional competitive opportunity targeting pelagic species and billfish during BCARA’s Panama City Beach Fishing Rodeo. Participation in the Bluewater Division is optional and includes optional Calcutta prize pools. Teams may enter one tier, multiple tiers or no tiers.
  2. Participants must be registered in BCARA’s PCB Fishing Rodeo and in the Bluewater Division to be eligible for the Calcutta categories.
  3. A team must be entered in a specific Calcutta tier to be eligible for payout in that tier.
  4. Each species will have multiple buy in tiers, between $250 and $5,000. Exact amount of each tier will be finalized on the night of the Capt. Meeting.
  5. Each tier pays independently based only on its own entries. If fewer than a minimum agreed number of boats enter a tier (board can decide minimum), the board may pay only 1st place or refund entries in that tier.
  6. 10% of the Calcutta monies collected will be kept by the Bay County Artificial Reef Association, the remaining 90% will be distributed on a 70/30 split. 70% will be awarded to 1st place, 30% will be awarded to 2nd Place.
  7. All Calcutta’s must be done the night of the Capt. Meeting, Friday Oct 2, 2026 between the hours of 4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. (Cash Only for Calcutta bets).
  8. The Catch & Release category recognizes billfish released alive during the tournament.
  9. Eligible species include: Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Sailfish and Swordfish.
  10. A release will count when the fish is fought on rod and reel, the leader is brought within reach of the mate or angler, and the fish is clearly visible alongside the vessel.
  11. Video verification is required when a billfish is caught and released. All videos must show the date and time the fish was released and include the tournament identifier, determined the night of the Capt. Meeting. Tournament officials will review footage prior to award ceremony. NO video can be submitted after the close of the tournament at 5:00 p.m. Sunday, Oct 11th, 2026. All video footage must be brought to the scales for verification within 24 hrs. of returning to port, excluding the final day. All footage on the final day must be submitted at the scales by 5:00 p.m.
  12. All catch and release billfish are scored on a point system. The boat with the most points wins the catch and release category.
    1. Sailfish – 150 points
    2. White Marlin – 200 points
    3. Blue Marlin – 400 points
  13. All boats participating in the blue water division are excluded from participating in the original rodeo leaderboard for tuna, wahoo and dolphin. Because these fish must be weighed in the Blue Water division only. All other species can be weighed in on the rodeo leaderboard.

MANDATORY CAPTAIN’S MEETING

  1. A mandatory Captain’s Meeting will be held on Friday October 2, 2026 at the Captain Anderson’s Event Center.
  2. At least one Crew Member from each registered vessel must attend to be eligible to weigh fish into the tournament, this includes all entry categories: Charter for Hire, Recreational, Diving and Land-based.
    1. If an entrant cannot be represented, please advise the rodeo board at info.pcbeachfishingrodeo@gmail.com prior to October 2, to arrange for final rules pickup.
  3. Teams will receive the final set of rules and be required to sign a tournament waiver.
  4. Each registered vessel or land-based participant will receive a registration bag with 1 drink ticket, 1 meal ticket and their Rodeo t-shirt.*
  5. T-shirts are guaranteed to participants who registered on, or prior to 9/14/26, shirts will available for purchase.
  6. Registered participants have the opportunity to win door prizes throughout the evening.
  7. Doors open at 4:30 PM / Live music will begin at 5:00 PM.
  8. Catered Dinner will begin at 6:00 PM.
  9. Additional meals and drinks will be available for purchase.

AWARDING OF PRIZES

  1. A prize not claimed within thirty (30) days after the date of the award ceremony shall revert to the Rodeo.
  2. DAILY prizes are for everyone registered in the Rodeo, no matter which division you are participating in. They must be claimed within 48 hours of the close of scales the day of the catch.
  3. Overall Prizes may only be picked up by the person who won the prize. The crew of the boats are able to come up with them to receive it. A signed letter from the prize winner indicating permission for a named other person to retrieve their prize may be emailed no later than October 10, 2026. 1099’s will be issued to the winners in accordance with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.
  4. Kids fishing pole will be given to any child 12 or under who presents a fish to the Rodeo Dock. Only 1 fishing pole per child per tournament.
  5. Jackpot fish can only be weighed in one of three categories: Rod and Reel, Diving or Bluewater.

DEFINITIONS

Rodeo officials: Paid employees & the Official Rodeo Judges judging that day.

  1. Immediate Family: Father, Mother, Brother, Sister, Son, Daughter, and Spouse.
  2. Charter Boat: A boat owned and operated as a charter fishing business in Panama City/Panama City Beach as determined by the Rules Committee.
  3. Private Boat: Vessel that has not carried passengers for hire as determined by the Rules Committee.
  4. Party Boat: A boat owned and operated as a party fishing business in Panama City/Panama City Beach as determined by the Rules Committee.
  5. Non-motorized Vessel: ONLY human powered vessels will be allowed. NO gasoline or electric motor propelled boats, sail boats, airboats, float tubes, or poled boats may be used.
  6. 26 and Under: Any vessel 25’11” and below as per official state registration. Valid registration must be produced at the time of Rodeo registration.
  7. Open Awards Classification: Awards eligible to all anglers registered in BCARA’s Panama City Beach Fishing Rodeo.
  8. Registered Entry: A registered entry is an entry that is recorded with an official Rodeo Judge and eligible to be recorded on the leader board at the weigh station.
  9. Crew member: Any person who collects over 50% of their annual income from the professional operations while underway of any commercial and/or for-hire charter fishing vessel.
  10. The heaviest fish in each category from a boat, per trip, that takes a position on the leaderboard. In the event of a tie, the first fish weighed-in prevails.
  11. Kid: Any child that is under the age of 12.

FISH CATEGORIES & DIVISIONS

Fish categories may be added or removed prior to the start of the tournament due to fishing regulations.

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. Amberjack
  11. Red Snapper

Recreational Boats 26 Feet and Larger

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

State Charter Boats

  1. King Mackerel
  2. Spanish Mackerel
  3. Flounder
  4. Speckled Trout
  5. Mahi Mahi
  6. Red Snapper
  7. Red Fish most spots
  8. All Tuna
  9. Triggerfish
  10. All Grouper
  11. Amberjack

Recreational Boats Under 26’

  1. King Mackerel
  2. Spanish Mackerel
  3. Flounder
  4. Speckled Trout
  5. Mahi Mahi
  6. Red Snapper
  7. Red Fish most spots
  8. All Tuna
  9. Triggerfish
  10. All Grouper
  11. Amberjack

Land Base Division (Pier, Jetty, Kayak, Paddle Boards)

  1. King Mackerel
  2. Spanish Mackerel
  3. Flounder
  4. Speckled Trout
  5. Pompano
  6. Red Fish Most Spots

Head Boat/Party Boat Division

  1. Vermillion Snapper
  2. All Porgy
  3. Red Snapper
  4. Triggerfish
  5. All Tuna
  6. All Grouper

Diving Division

  1. Most Lion Fish overall
  2. Largest Lion Fish
  3. All Snapper
  4. Amberjack
  5. All Grouper
  6. Biggest Lobster

Bluewater Division

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

Kid’s Division

  1. Any child 15 and under is eligible for this division no matter the registration category.
  2. Largest fish overall by weight (excluding sharks) will be awarded 1st and 2nd place categories.

Ladies Division

  1. Any lady 16 and over is eligible for this division no matter the registration category.
  2. Largest fish overall by weight (excluding sharks) will be awarded 1st and 2nd place categories.

Rod and Reel Jackpot Fish – $2,500 for Each

  1. All Species in the Charter, Recreational, Headboat and Land Based divisions — Largest Fish by Weight (Excluding Shark).
  2. Legal Shark Species in the Charter, Recreational, Headboat and Land Based divisions — Largest Fish by Weight.
  3. Largest Speckled Trout or Flounder in the Charter, Recreational, Headboat and Land Based divisions.

Diving Jackpot Fish – $1,000

  1. Most Lion Fish overall.

Bluewater Jackpot Fish – $1,000

  1. All Species weighed in the Blue Water Division — Largest fish by weight.