09/14/2022 - These are preliminary and may be updated to reflect deletions or additions to the prize pool. ALL OTHER RULES ARE ENFORCEABLE FROM THIS EFFECTIVE DATE
1. REGISTRATION AND ELIGIBILITY
No registration will occur for any angler, companion, or awards ceremony package after 11:59p.m. on 10/19/2022.
Participation in The GOAT, is open to all ADULT anglers fishing from a kayak or a Stand-Up Paddle board.
Every angler must possess a valid Florida Saltwater Fishing License in compliance with Florida law prior to launch on Day 1 of the event. All prize winners will be asked to produce a valid license prior to receiving any award. If an angler does not have or produce a valid license, their winnings will rank down to the next eligible angler.
The kayak of every registered angler MAY be inspected by the Coast Guard and/or the GOAT tournament committee at any time. Any angler refusing a kayak check will be disqualified.
2. ENTRY, DELAY, CANCELLATION
Each participant SHALL pay a minimum entry fee of $525.90 (Local angler), in full, prior to participation in the event.
Inclement weather may cause a delay in tournament starting time.
Inclement weather is defined as:
· Active lightning storm within the vicinity of the launch site
· Small craft advisory
· Forecast surf conditions greater than 4ft
· Expected landfall of a tropical storm or hurricane in less than 96hrs
All forecast weather will be assessed two days prior to the event
Additionally, the tournament committee will assess the active launch conditions the mornings of the tournament and determine go/no-go based on their experience and the risks posed to the participants. Safety is paramount. These decisions are final.
Due to the complexity and logistics involved, The GOAT is not an event that can be rescheduled.
If both tournament days are forecast to be significantly impacted, it must be cancelled (see refund policy below).
IF Day 1 is unsafe, but Day 2 may be fishable, this will become a one day event. IF so, sign-in and weigh-in times will be adjusted real time and all anglers will be afforded an opportunity to be involved in this determination process.
IF Day 1 appears to be the only fishable day and Day 2 is forecast to be unsafe, the preliminary determination to be a one day event will be known prior to Day 1 launch; however, the final call will occur the morning of Day 2 and after careful assessment of the active launch conditions present.
3. REFUNDS
A full refund (less applicable service fees) for all available packages will be provided for any reason prior to 10/12/2022 @ 11:59pm. Companion and Awards Ceremony packages are not refundable after this date for any reason.
Between 10/13/2022 and 10/19/2022 @ 11:59pm, ONLY $160 of an anglers entry fee is eligible for refund. All packages may still be purchased based on availability and are non-refundable.
The ONLY refund possible starting on 10/20/2022 is if the fishing is cancelled for both days due to inclement weather. In this unlikely event, $160 (cash prize pool money) will be refunded to every participating angler.
4. ARRIVAL @ THE ISLAND RESORT
After checking into your room with the front desk, there will be a nearby, secondary check in table with tournament staff. This is where each angler and companion will be provided with tournament wristbands. You will need these throughout the event (Please do not remove them until after the Day 2 party).
You must also sign your liability waiver/rules acknowledgement and enter any Calcuttas at this time (CASH ONLY).
Any angler that is unable to be present on 10/27 may send a designated representative to pay any Calcutta fees; however, signature of the liability waiver and rules acknowledgement must occur prior to launch on tournament day.
If your travel is delayed for any reason, please contact Derrick promptly. We will work together with you to navigate the times and schedules ensuring your participation in accordance with the rules contained herein.
5. SPECIFIC RULES FOR ANGLERS @ THE ISLAND RESORT
No kayaks in the pool, rooms, or lobby area. Please use the roundabout located on the East side of the property to unload and load your gear. Kayaks must be stored in the staging area and will be monitored by security from 6pm to 6am each night.
No ice chests in the rooms or common areas, including the walkways outside of your room doors. They may be stored on your balcony, staged with your kayak, or in the VIP area near the grotto.
No bait or caught fish is to be stored inside the rooms mini fridge. **Remember, your credit card is on file for incidental charges.
Stay off the Sea Oats.
No open fires (there will be a bonfire). Don’t make your own.
No climbing on or diving from the grotto. I asked.
7. CAPTAINS DINNER
The Captains dinner will occur poolside at The Island Resort. It is NOT mandatory.
8. SIGN-OUT
Signature of the liability waiver and rules acknowledgement MUST occur prior to launch on Day 1. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.
All anglers MUST sign-out on each tournament day with the designated official. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.
Shoot-off shall take place at first safe light and the arrival of the safety chase boat(s).
If an angler needs to launch after the main group, they may do so as long as they follow the sign-out procedure and are launched by the tournament director.
9. MANDATORY SAFETY (required by insurance)
Personal Flotation Devices (PFD’s) must be worn for the duration of the tournament interval from launch at first safe light to landing on the beach at the end of each day.
Visual Distress Signals (Flag) must be displayed for the duration of the tournament interval from launch at first safe light to landing on the beach at the end of each day.
Destin Pass is the East (and only) Boundary. Anglers may not enter or transit the Destin Pass
Sound Producing Device (bell, horn, whistle, etc.) must be onboard both days.
VHF radios are not required, but highly encouraged.
Tournament radio channel will be 72.
10. GENERAL RULES
All anglers must launch AND land at The Island Resort.
Kayaks shall not have motors or sails of any kind. Pedals and Paddles only.
Tandem kayaks are allowed; however, they must only contain one angler.
Every angler must use a rod and reel to catch all fish in the tournament.
NO ASSISTANCE from any vessel or angler of any kind, except in the case of a safety or hazard situation is allowed (see below). This includes and is not limited to sharing of catch, tackle, bait, chumming, gaffing, hauling fish, etc.
No electric reels.
No long lining from the kayak.
No barrel or jug fishing.
No diving from your kayak to spear a fish.
Anglers cannot buy fish.
NO FAD's (fishing attractive devices) whether permanent or temporary.
11. BAIT
Anglers may use any legal bait (cut, frozen, or live).
Anglers may launch with bait.
Anglers may not launch in an effort to secure bait the morning of the tournament starting at 12:01am 10/28/2022 and until the official shoot-off on Day 1. Additionally, once anglers have come back to shore on the afternoon of Day 1, they SHALL NOT launch again until the official Day 2 launch. This is an insurance requirement. Doing so will result in disqualification.
Anglers may secure bait from land or any structure permanently affixed to land at any outside of tournament fishing hours.
12. ANGLER ASSISTANCE
In the event of a rollover or other possible distress situation, any angler or person available may assist in restoring the original angler to a safe condition without penalty to anyone involved. However, once restored to a safe condition, assistance shall end. If an angler cannot resume fishing independently for any reason, the angler must return to shore and may weigh any fish they have already caught.
If an angler must be helped to shore, that angler is disqualified.
All anglers must return to launch point with their kayak under his or her own power. No angler may be assisted back to the launch point from any engine or device of any kind (trucks, cars, boats, kayaks, etc...).
Anglers may also assist each other to revive and captured sailfish; however, once the release has occurred all assistance shall end.
13. SIGN-IN AND FISH BAG PROCEDURE
Sign-in and fish bag check-in will occur at the same location; beachside
Day 1: Anglers MUST be back at launch location and on the beach by 3:30pm and in line for fish bag check-in no later than 4:00pm.
Day 2: Anglers MUST be back at launch location and on the beach by 1:30pm and in line for fish bag check-in no later than 2:00pm.
All fish bags will be tagged and checked into the secure storage area, which will open at 1:00pm both days. Once weigh-in starts, anglers will be called to the rear of the stage (“ON DECK”) by number and in the order they turned in their catch.
14. WEIGH-IN FISH ELIGIBILITY
All species of bony fish (except Tarpon and Bill fish) are eligible to weigh for tournament prizes; however, they must be:
· A legal catch pursuant to current regulations listed on the FWC website
· At least 3.5lbs
· NO sharks, rays, or skates
Up to ten (10) fish may be weighed per kayak, per day.
Cash place prizes are determined by TOTAL AGGREGATE WEIGHT OF FISH FOR BOTH DAYS.
In the event of a tie, the angler with the earlier check-in time on DAY 2 wins.
All other prizes are determined by their specific rules below.
All fish presented for weigh-in must be whole, fresh, in edible condition and must be caught on tournament days.
Mutilated fish, sharked or otherwise, are not eligible.
Any illegal fish brought to weigh-in will result in immediate disqualification.
All decisions by the weigh master are final.
15. DAY 1 LEADERBOARD
Additional cash and prizes may be awarded to the Day 1 leaderboard based on sponsorship, availability, and actual participation.
16. AWARDS CEREMONY
ALL remaining prizes, will be awarded at the Awards Ceremony on Day 2. Anglers MUST be present to win.
All attendees will have their wristbands checked at the door. This is a private event for paid guests only. If any squatters are discovered, they will be removed by the on-hand OCSO Deputy.
17. CASH PLACE PRIZES
The following cash prizes are based on 100 anglers, determined by total aggregate weight of both days and in full compliance with the tournament rules:
1st - $5000
2nd - $2500
3rd - $1000
4th - $500
Winning anglers of ANY cash prize (except calcuttas), MUST complete a w-9 and will receive a check by mail.
Any infractions upon these rules contained herein on social media or elsewhere that brings unfavorable publicity to GOAT or its officials, affiliates, volunteers, or the sport of kayak fishing will void the cash payout, any prize listed below, and may result in a ban from future events.
Cash places may scale (up or down) based on actual participation numbers.
18. YAHTZEE KING by TBD
At weigh-in, before the first fish is weighed, 5 dice will be rolled and summed to determine the target weight. This weight is valid for both days of the tournament.
If the sum is a 5, the smallest fish will win.
If the sum is 6 through 30, the closest fish without going over will win the prize provided by TBD.
In the extremely unlikely event of a tie, those fish in question will be transported to the nearest scale that can read to the next decimal place, thus breaking the tie.
19. MYSTERY FISH by BERLEYPRO
At the end of weigh-in Day 2, all eligible species will be written on tokens, placed into a fishbowl, and the target species will be randomly drawn.
If no angler has caught the target species, a new token will be drawn.
If one angler has caught the target species, it is an instant win.
If two or more anglers have caught the target species, then heaviest fish will win the prize.
King Mackerel are not eligible to be the target species in this division.
Eligible fish must weigh at least 5 pounds and are:
Gag, Red, and Scamp Grouper
Lane, Gray, Vermillion, and Cubera Snapper
Jack Crevalle, Almaco jack, Amberjack
Mahi, Cobia, Wahoo, Barracuda, Blackfin tuna, Skipjack tuna
Spanish mackerel, Remora, False Albacore, Lionfish
Redfish, Spotted Sea trout, Flounder, African Pompano, Sheepshead, Tripletail
20. $1000 SAILFISH BOUNTY by Kayak 30A
The first angler to successfully Capture, Photo, and Release (CPR) a sailfish will win.
Anglers may receive assistance in the revival of any captured sailfish; however once the release occurs, all assistance shall end.
21. $250 BOMB MAHI by Submerse Outdoor Gear (cash and merch)
The heaviest single Mahi wins
22. JOKER’S WILD by 85th DAY
Poker rules: Full House Jokers over Kings. The heaviest combo of any 3 fish and 2 King Mackerel will win this division. (Prize is TBD)
(You MUST have at least 5 fish (2 must be Kings) to be eligible for this division)
23. NEW ZEALAND TRIP by BerleyPro, Tasline, Catch Fishing, and Bounty Hunter Charters
This is an all-inclusive trip to New Zealand for a once in a lifetime mothership adventure.
Any angler that meets the following conditions will be eligible for this prize:
1. Fished both PYGMY and The GOAT
2. Weighed 1 eligible fish in each tournament
3. Is present at the awards ceremony
Winner will be determined by random draw from the eligible participants
24. CALCUTTAS
Both Amberjack and King Mackerel will have a winner take all pot.
Calcuttas are $50 each and must be paid prior to launch on Day 1
25. TAXES
Anglers are responsible to pay all taxes on both cash and merchandise awards where and when applicable. GOAT assumes no responsibility for the payment of taxes related to any tournament prize.
26. PROTEST AND APPEAL
All protests must be submitted in writing to the Rules Committee on the day of the alleged violation by 230 pm with a deposit of $100.00. If the alleged violation is found to have occurred, the deposit of $100.00 will be refunded. If the Rules Committee finds no violation, the deposit will not be refunded. The decision of the Rules Committee will be final. If an angler is caught protesting during the tournament without following the process set forth herein, that angler may be banned from every PYGMY tournament event for life.
27. SPORTSMANSHIP
All anglers are expected to follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy, safety, and conservation. Any angler who displays poor sportsmanship, violates these rules, or any State or local laws, or brings unfavorable publicity to the sport of kayak fishing will be disqualified and may be disqualified from participating in future tournament events.
Specifically, the use of obscene language or gestures is strictly forbidden at any time prior to, during, or after the event. This includes the use of obscene language over the tournament channel. Any infraction of these fundamental sporting principles may be deemed cause for disqualification or other penalty. Maximum courtesy must be practiced at all times, especially with regard to angling in the vicinity of non-competitors who may be on tournament waters.
Any act or inflammatory statement by any contestant that, in the opinion of the Tournament Director, is detrimental to the operation of tournament, damaging to organized kayak fishing, to GOAT, or any of its sponsors, permitting agencies or their officers, and not limited to Coast Guard inspectors, lifeguards, EMS personnel, or any hosting venue staff during or after the tournament may result in temporary or permanent suspension and disqualification from all current and future tournaments.
GOAT reserves the right to reject any angler’s registration at any time.
GOAT reserves the right to refuse service to anyone.
28. TOURNAMENT DISCRETION
GOAT’s tournament director reserves the right to implement his or her discretion at any time during the tournament as it may apply to the rules or any other circumstance that should arise during the course of the event. Unless otherwise provided for in the tournament rules, decisions and interpretations of the tournament director shall be final.
29. POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION
By entering the tournament all anglers voluntarily consent to submit to a polygraph examination as deemed necessary by tournament officials. Any angler of a registered kayak who refuses to take a polygraph or provides untruthful answers as determined by the examiner will be disqualified from the tournament without further notice. Such a disqualification will eliminate payment or provision of any prize money, awards, and/or refund of entrance fees. Anglers requested to take a polygraph examination shall be responsible to pay all costs incurred.
30. RELEASE AND HOLD HARMLESS
It is expressly understood that all registered participants of GOAT tournament events participate voluntarily and at their own risk. Each registered participant, on behalf of other family members and/or executors, agrees to release and hold harmless Greatest Of All Time tournament, its agents, employees, tournament officials, sponsors, and all other persons connected directly or indirectly with operation of said tournament from any and all liability, to include but not limited to, libel, slander, loss, damage, negligence, harm, injury, or death suffered by any participant, entrant, sport-fishermen, their companions, vessels or their equipment during the tournament.
31. PHOTOGRAPHY/VIDEOGRAPHY
All images obtained by GOAT may be used for promotional purposes in perpetuity, by GOAT, its sponsors, and affiliates, and without compensation to the subjects contained within.
32. And lastly…if you fail to follow any rules you will be disqualified.