2026 DRCR FISHING TOURNAMENT RULES
2026 Committee Chair: Evan Smith
Fishing Categories and Regulations
Fish types include:
- Speckled Trout- over slot limit at 22″
- Redfish- 16″–26″ slot only
- Flounder- Adult only
Entry Requirements & Registration:
- Participants must complete and submit the entry form and fee by the published deadline.
- Participants must consent to release liability and agree to indemnify organizers from all claims.
- Registration is processed through the Fishing Chaos app. Sponsorship information is available online: www.dogriver.org
- All participants under age 18 must have parental consent. Youth may fish in the adult category by paying the adult fee.
Prizes:
- Adult: Cash (1st: $500, 2nd: $250, and 3rd: $100 in Redfish & Trout adult category), ($300 winner takes all in Flounder adult category), a 25-gallon fuel gift certificate courtesy of Dog River Marina & Davidson Fuels (redfish and trout categories only), and a trophy plaque.
- Youth: Gift Card (1st – $50, 2nd – $30, 3rd – $20) and a trophy plaque.
Informational Captain’s Video: In lieu of a formal Captain’s Meeting, our Facebook page will contain a video link posted by 7:00 PM, the evening before the tournament.
Fishing: Lines in at 6:00 AM on Saturday, October 3rd, 2026. Each fisherman may only enter one fish per category, and the largest fish will be determined by weight. Only legal ‘slot’ Redfish (16″-26″ with pinched tail) will be weighed in the tournament. Speckled Trout can be outside of the slot (22″). Flounder category is an adult-only category. There will be no exceptions to the rule. All fish must be caught via hook and line. The fishing area will be all public Alabama waters (Mobile and Baldwin Counties only). All competitors must check in with legal fish (Alabama Fish and Game Regulations) to be eligible for fishing prizes.
Weigh-In: Anglers must be at the dock, or in line to dock, by 3:00 PM to qualify. The weigh-in station will be operational beginning at 1:00 PM on Saturday, October 3rd. Any anglers in line at the weigh-in station at the Grand Mariner at the 3:00 PM cutoff time will be allowed to weigh in their catch. If an angler arrives after the 3:00 PM deadline, the catch will not qualify. All fish submitted for weigh-in must be fresh and caught during tournament hours. The weighmaster will make decisions on accepting fish for weigh-in, his decision is final. No protests. Any attempt to enter fraudulent catch, tamper with catch, or to hamper or threaten any official of the tournament will result in immediate disqualification. Fish will be weighed in the order in which they are checked in. You may wish to provide ice and a cooler to keep your fish fresh. All weighed fish will be marked to indicate the fish has been processed at the weigh in station. Official time will be kept by the Tournament Committee and/or Weighmaster at the weigh-in station.
Tie Breaker: In the event of a tie, the first fish weighed at the tournament scales shall determine the winner.
Safety: Safe boating must be observed at all times. During the competition, each contestant is required to comply with US Coast Guard and Alabama State Regulations, including the possession of PFDs and a sounding device. In the event of a small craft advisory issued, the tournament will be cancelled. This event is RAIN OR SHINE, no refunds.
