Best 1 out of 3 Fishing Days 

April 1-30, 2023

Rules & Regulations

2023 Catch & Release Sailfish Challenge:  

Pick up to 3 fishing days from April 1st through April 30, 2023. Registration is open until March 31st, 2023

Boundaries: Leave from and return to any inlet along the east coast of Florida from Fernandina Beach to Key West. 

Grand Champion Winner: Whichever boat/team that accumulates the most catch & release sailfish points during their Best 1 fishing day. Each boat/team may choose up to 3 available fishing days from April 1st through Sunday, April 30th, 2023.

Registration: Online at https://reeltimeusa.com/register/

Registration open thru Friday March 31st, 2023.

Basic Boat/Team Basic Entry Fee: $100 (unlimited anglers) 50% of this entry fee will be donated to the National MS Society.

• The first 50 Boats to register will receive a free Mold Craft Skirt Package & 1 free ROFFS analysis.

Cash & Gift Prizes: Based on *100 Boat/Team Entries:

*Cash prizes will be prorated if less than 100 or more than 100 boats enter.

GRAND CHAMPION TEAM: Most sailfish release points

* $5,000 Cash
* 2 night dockage at Walker’s Cay plus 100 gallons of fuel to get back home (Valued at $1,000)
* ROFFS 10 pack fishing forecast analyses (valued at $700)
* Black Bart Lure package (Valued at $380)
* Hand drawn & carved wood sailfish by Boom! Art (Valued at $699)
* (6) 1 year subscription to Big Game Fishing Journal (Valued at $149.70)
* Academy Sports Gift Card (Valued at $300)

2nd Place:

* $2,500 Cash
* ROFFS 5 pack fishing forecast analyses (valued at $350)
* Black Bart Lure Package (Valued at $240)
* (6) 1 year subscription to Big Game Fishing Journal (Valued at $149.70)
* Academy Sports Gift Card (Valued at $300)

3rd Place:

* $500 Cash
* ROFFS 2 pack fishing forecast analyses (Valued at $140)
* Black Bart Lure Package (Valued at $180)
* (6) 1 year subscription to Big Game Fishing Journal (Valued at $149.70)
* Academy Sports Gift Card (Valued at $100)

50% of total basic entry monies will be donated to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Catch & Release Scoring:
Live Bait: 100 points per sailfish.
Dead Bait: 200 points per sailfish.

*Optional Added Skill Level Entries: (90% payout)

Boats 40 ft. LOA & Under

Level A: $100 – Most points sailfish release – Winner takes all
Level B: $400 – Most points sailfish release – 1^st – 50%, 2^nd – 30%, 3^rd – 20%

Boats Greater than 40 ft. LOA

Level C: $500 – Most points sailfish release – Winner takes all
Level D: $1,000 – Most points sailfish release -1^st – 50%, 2^nd – 30%, 3^rd – 20%    

Captain Level E: $200- Grand Champion Team’s Captain- Captain takes all.

Mate Level F: $100- Grand Champion Team’s Mate- Mate takes all

ABOUT THE RULES….

We are applying simple rules; however, federal regulations must be complied with during all fishing days for this event.  Please keep in mind that this will not be a traditional format and we welcome your feedback to improve in years to come after the commencement of 2023’s Challenge. We also are helping to raise awareness and funds for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. 50% of all basic entry fees will go towards the National MS Society.

Rules & Regulations:

1) Registration is by Boat. Unlimited anglers, lines & teasers. 

2) Captains & mates are eligible to be an angler. You can add or change anglers.

3) Boundaries: Leave from & return to any inlet along the east coast of Florida from Fernandina Beach to Key West.

4) Pick your best 1 out of 3 fishing days from April 1st through April 30, 2023.

5) Fishing Hours: Lines in 7:30 AM, Lines out 4PM. 

5a) If you are “hooked up” during the last 15 minutes of fishing (3:45pm – 4:00pm) you must take a video upon hookup AND release to verify the sailfish was hooked before lines out.

6) All video clips must be taken from a cell phone. No Go pros or any other devices may be used.

7) No live or dead bait chumming.

8a) Each of your fishing day(s) must be declared by 6pm the night before you are fishing. You may fish up to 3 fishing days which need not be fished consecutively. You may fish only 1 day if you desire. To declare your fishing days click on /pre-fish-form/

8b) You must fill out a pre-fish form the night before each day that you are fishing.

8c) Each day you fish you will receive a different boat number via text to use for video verification.

8d) Check out procedure: Only use cell phone. Video your GPS position & start time and all sailfish with the video release verification procedure.

9) VIDEO RELEASE VERIFICATION PROCEDURE: All sailfish releases must be verified in a continuous video footage using your cell phone & having the following:

ID the angler by stating the angler’s name and state your boat number for that day.

ID the sailfish with continuous video showing fish and the fish being separated from the leader.

The release with separation must be in your video. 

10) Each team captain is responsible to make sure phones are fully charged, GPS locator is turned on & has plenty of storage. 

11) Captain must fill out a catch & release report & text all videos to Lenny 609.377.0529  before 8pm that same day.  If report and videos are not submitted by 8pm that day. All fish will be disqualified and you will burn a day.

12) I.G.F.A. Rules apply except as follows:

a) Only non-offset circle hooks and maximum manufacturer stated 20-lb. test line may be used. The combined length of the leader and the double line may not exceed 20 feet.  
b) Passing the rod after hookup (hook and hand) is permitted to an angler only once per fish. The pass must occur as close to the hookup as possible.
c) Live or dead/artificial bait may be used during your days of fishing, however you must declare the night before which 1 technique you will be fishing for that day (Live or Dead/Artificial Bait).

d) Point system:    Live Bait-100 points per sailfish release. Dead Bait or Artificial lures-200 points per sailfish release.

13) In case of a tie the winner will be determined by which boat/team reaches the number of points that resulted in the tie first based on time of their last release.

Legal Stuff:

By participating in this Challenge and submitting videos & photos, you consent to the use of your footage by Reel*Time USA at their discretion to promote Reel*Time USA events.

All protests must only be filed by a registered angler or crew-member. The tournament director must be notified immediately by calling 609.377.0529.  All protest(s) must be in writing, signed by the protesting angler/crew member and include the registered angler(s) name(s), a contact phone number and $500.00 cash or check made payable to Reel*Time USA.  All protests will be settled the day after the alleged incident. All protests must be in the hands of the tournament director not later than 6pm the day after the alleged incident. The protesting party, as well as the accused team members, captain and crew, MUST be present in any official protest hearing.  If the accused or protesting teams or any individual member fail to show up for the protest hearing, then they are forfeiting their right to be heard and will abide by the decision made by the official tournament judges. All decisions made by the official tournament judges are final. The $500.00 fee required to protest will be returned to the protesting angler/crew member should the protest result in a decision in the protesting angler/crew member’s favor

By registering to participate in this Challenge, you, the participant, agree to release, indemnify, and hold harmless Reel*Time USA LLC, Reel*Time USA Catch & Release Challenge, Lenny Strobel, ROFFS and any and all affiliates involved in this event from any claim or causes of action of any kind including but not limited to injury, death, property damage or other damages whether through your own negligence, the negligence of another, or the negligence of Reel*Time USA LLC, Reel*Time USA Catch & Release Challenge, Lenny Strobel, ROFFS or any and all affiliates involved in this event. Reel*Time USA LLC reserves the right to refuse any entry at their discretion.

Refund policy:  Entry fees are non-refundable in the event you do not participate in the Challenge for any reason whatsoever.

Each team is responsible for consulting his or her local fishing laws/regulations concerning billfish before participating in this contest.  Each participant accepts sole responsibility and risk for knowing the fishing regulations/laws where you fish for this challenge.  Reel*Time USA makes no representations regarding any fishing regulations/laws nor makes any guarantee of safety in participation.  Each participant participates at his or her own risk and agrees to submit to polygraph upon request by tournament officials.

All Winners will complete and submit to Reel*Time USA a 1099 form before receiving any cash prizes.

***IN ORDER TO COMPETE IN THIS EVENT AND BE ELIGIBLE FOR AWARDS, YOU MUST COMPLY WITH THESE RULES, REGULATIONS AND CONDITIONS FOR PARTICIPATION.

Lenny Strobel

Founder/President

NOTE: If you cannot contact Lenny via cell, the alternate contacts are Greg (786.488.3619) or Matt (989.493.9089).

1) Entry Fee: $25.00
$20.00 Veterans & Senior Citizens.
$15.00 Teens.
FREE ENTRY FOR CHILDREN UNDER 12 YEARS WITH AN ADULT SIGN UP.
(All participants under the age of 21 must have a Parent or Guardian register for him or her.)
*This is a “Catch and Release” Challenge. This Challenge is open to all anglers of any age living in the USA. You may fish anywhere in the USA except any bodies of water that have been cultivated for bass: for example, pay to fish lakes. Federal or state stocked bodies of water open to the public are permitted. ONLY largemouth bass*, smallmouth bass & peacock bass (collectively herein “Bass”) are eligible for this Challenge. There will be divisional winners plus one Grand Champion awarded Gift Prizes as detailed below in paragraph 11. *For this event, Spotted Bass will count as a Largemouth Bass.

*New: Elite Division for all past Grand Champions ($50.00 Entry Fee) – This level will compete amongst the past Grand Champions ONLY and have its own separate entry fee & prizes. Past Grand Champions will be personally invited.

2) This is a one-day event to be held on Saturday, October 8, 2022.

3) Registration: Each participant must be registered through our website: www.ReelTimeUSA.com

4) There is no weather committee, so this event is solely the responsibility of each participating angler to decide if he or she wants to fish this event and to decide if weather conditions are safe for fishing. The Challenge will take place on this date rain or shine. You may fish on a boat, kayak or from land. Every participant must have a valid fishing license for the state in which you are fishing as applicable. This Challenge is ONLY open to anglers in the USA.

5) Each angler will be allowed a total of 4 consecutive hours fishing time between 7 a.m. through 5 p.m. (Angler’s local time). Each angler must register your (4) hour time frame before you start fishing that day along with submitting a photo of the October 8, 2022 Newspaper OR a ‘Validation Card” **A “Pre-Fish form” link (Form must be filled out online) will be available Saturday, October 8, 2022 @ 4 a.m. (EST) at www.ReelTimeUSA.com to designate your 4 hour fishing time and upload your photo with the Validation card from the day of the contest. Anglers will log their catch and releases as explained below in Paragraphs 10 & 12.

6) Your fishing time must start at the top of a specific hour. [i.e. 10 a.m.; 11 a.m.; 1 p.m.] Lines cannot be in the water before your designated 4-hour time period you select on the pre-fish form. For any fish to count the fish must be photographed before the end of your 4-hour fishing time. Any photos taken after your time slot will not count. Please note your time zone (Eastern, Central, Mountain, Pacific). Just to note: If you are running late to your designated fishing time, you can not make up for that lost time in your 4 hour period.

7) This event will be based on an honor system. We want this to be a fun Catch and Release Challenge. Gift prizes will be awarded for most bass releases in each division based on a point system of 10 points per catch and release. However, all winners may be subject to a polygraph.

8) In order for each Bass to qualify for 10 points per release you must comply with the following:
a) You must have a cell phone or an iPad to take photos of every Bass you catch and release. *YOUR GPS LOCATOR MUST BE TURNED ON.
b) BEFORE you start fishing, you must print out the Validation Card *** You must fill in your pre-fish form including your 4 hour fishing time frame and submit the photo of the Validation Card via the link. The Pre-fish form will be available on our website by 4 a.m. (EST) Sat. October 8, 2022.
*** There will be a link to a Validation Card on the website and the pre-fish form the morning of the event by 4 a.m. (EST) that you can print to use as verification of your catch. We will also send out a Validation Card via email to all participants by 4 a.m.
c) Each Bass you photograph for your catch report must be taken from the same side with the validation card or dated newspaper for every fish you catch in one of two ways:
• Left hand with belly facing to the left, or
• Right hand with belly facing to the right.
• * Important: You must position each Bass you photograph from the same side – either right or left. Choose one and stick to it each time to qualify your catch. You cannot deviate from this position. If you do, you may be disqualified.

9) Before fishing each participant must choose the technique and type of fishing to be used during the contest and use only this manner of fishing for the entire time. You may only use (1) one rod at a time to catch fish and either live bait, artificial lures or flies, but not more than one technique for the entire duration of the event. You may have more than one rod in your possession, but only 1 line in the water at any given time.

10) TO REPORT YOUR CATCH: After your 4 hour fishing time has ended but in no event later than 10 p.m. your local time, you MUST fill out catch report & upload all photos of your Bass to www.ReelTimeUSA.com. You will be disqualified if your photos are not uploaded by 10 p.m. (your local time), Saturday, October 8, 2022.

11) Winners will be announced and contacted. 1st place Gift Prizes will be awarded in each division: Most Largemouth Bass, Most Smallmouth Bass & Most Peacock Bass. There will be a Grand Champion Winner for the person who catches the most overall Bass.

12) If you have a child that would like to participate, and the child does not have an e-mail address, a parent or guardian may register the child and submit the required photos using the parent/guardian’s e-mail address. Use the child’s name and e-mail as the angler when possible.

13) In case of a tie in number of points, the angler that lands the most fish in a shorter time frame will be declared the winner of that division.

14) At the end of this event, Reel*Time USA will post photos of the winners on www.ReelTimeUSA.com.

15) All winners will be determined in the sole discretion of Reel*Time USA. All winners’ catches are subject to verification of date and time of each catch by Reel*Time USA. Reel*Time USA reserves the right to disqualify any winner whose photos cannot be verified for the date and time the photo was taken.

16) By participating in this Challenge and submitting photos, you consent to the use of your photos by Reel*Time USA at their discretion to promote Reel*Time USA events.

17) By agreeing to participate in this Challenge, you, the participant, agree to release, indemnify, and hold harmless Reel*Time USA LLC, Reel*Time USA Catch & Release Challenge, Lenny Strobel, and any and all affiliates involved in this event from any claim or causes of action of any kind including but not limited to for injury, death, property damage or other damages whether through your own negligence, the negligence of another or the negligence of Reel*Time USA or Lenny Strobel. Reel*Time USA LLC reserves the right to refuse any entry at Reel*Time USA’s discretion.

18) REFUND POLICY: Entry fees are non-refundable in the event you do not participate in the Challenge for any reason whatsoever.

19) Legal Stuff: Each participant is responsible for consulting his or her local fishing laws/regulations concerning Bass before participating in this contest. Each participant accepts sole responsibility and risk for knowing the fishing regulations/laws where you fish for this contest. Reel*Time USA makes no representations regarding any fishing regulations/laws nor makes any guarantee of safety in participation. Each participant participates at his or her own risk.

***IN ORDER TO COMPETE IN THIS EVENT AND BE ELIGIBLE FOR AWARDS, YOU MUST COMPLY WITH THESE RULES, REGULATIONS AND CONDITIONS FOR PARTICIPATION.