Tournament Rules

The tournament operating channel will be channel 08 and the backup channel 78. Any participating vessels with mechanical problems or breakdowns are to report to Findlay as soon as possible. All boats are to monitor channel 08 from 8:15 AM through 8:45 AM for the start each day. 

Fishing is for two days — Friday, May 3rd and Saturday, May 4th. Each day, teams/ boats depart from their respective Key West docks between 7:45 AM and 8 AM, returning to the dock at 4 PM on Friday, May 3rd, and at 3 PM on Saturday, May 4th. 

Fishing will commence each day with lines in the water announced at 8:30 AM on channel 08 and cease with lines out of the water announced on channel 08 at 3:30 PM Friday, May 3rd, and at 2:30 PM Saturday, May 4th. Fish hooked at the time of lines out of the water may be fought until boated or released and will be eligible for scoring. 

Weight scales will be provided to each team/boat during the Thursday, May 2nd Captain’s Party, where teams will be paired with their boat. All eligible fish are to be weighed, and the weights and time of each catch are recorded. 

The 2024 SKWC will predominantly be a DOLPHIN DERBY, where each participating boat/team will record the weight, time of catch, angler’s full name, Captain, and vessel’s name for each day’s largest three dolphins. The combined weights of the two largest dolphin, (largest dolphin from each day fishing, May 3rd and 4th respectively) will determine the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place team standings. In the event of a tie, the fish with the earlier recorded time wins. There will also be 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place Team awards for the teams with the most combined billfish releases. 

In addition to the team awards, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place Largest Fish Awards will be presented to those individuals catching the heaviest fish from the following species list: Dolphin, Wahoo, Kingfish, Blackfin Tuna, Bonita, Snapper, Grouper, and Cobia. 

 For any questions or more information, please call our Tournament Rules Chairman, Findlay Sinclair at 305-849-1437. Tight lines and good luck!