Official Rules

It is your responsibility to comply with all local and state fishing regulations. Purchase yours online here.

The Rules

IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO READ, UNDERSTAND, AND FOLLOW OUR FORMAT, RULES, AND FISH-MEASURING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE TOURNAMENT.

This is a one-day, catch-photo-release, fly-fishing-only tournament with teams of two anglers.

We will have a digital scorecard (it will be emailed out to you Saturday morning.) Scoring will still be your team’s top 4 striped bass just as it has been in past Tournaments. The team with the most total inches wins.

Boundaries are all of Cape Cod (you cannot cross the canal), and you cannot use any boats, paddles, flippers, ladders, etc. of any kind. Two feet on the ground and no swimming. If you can’t get there by walking, it’s out of bounds.

The only technique allowed at any point during the tournament is fly fishing with a single fly. You may not use any traditional or spin fishing equipment at any time during the event, or any techniques other than fly fishing, including chumming, teasing up of fish in any way, using bait, lures, etc.

The minimum fish size you can measure and enter in the Tournament is 20 inches. This will ensure little fish are released safely and quickly.

This Tournament is about the fish and we need to protect them. Fish must be photographed at the water level alongside the official Tournament Measuring Device with Team Number showing. Tournament Measuring Device inch marks and numbers must be legible in photographs on either side of the nose and tail to ensure the full length of any measured and submitted fish is visible in a single photograph. We cannot piece photos together. All measurements should be in inches to the nearest ¼ inch from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail (no tail squeezing – we did see MA guidance on this, but we have decided to keep our measuring procedure unchanged this year in order to maintain consistent data). In the unlikely event that a fish is caught longer than the ruler, competitors must take two measurements and submit two photos: one with the Tournament Measuring Device starting at the tail and one at the nose. Any team may be required to show photos of their scored fish. 

ALL FISH MUST BE MEASURED AT WATER LEVEL IN ACCORDANCE WITH OUR 'KEEP FISH WET APPROVED' MEASURING TECHNIQUES, using the tournament measuring device. Failure to do so may result in disqualification. We cannot stress this rule enough and the possibility of disqualification if not followed. Also, we know measuring fish at the water level or with a measuring device can sometimes be a challenge. This is why we work with KeepFishWet to provide the measuring devices and set best practices for a quick and safe release, and why we enforce the rules. While not required, we do support the use of 30 lb tippet, which you will find in your captains bags, based on a scientific study and recommended by KeepFishWet, to reduce fight time and the stress on striped bass.

Tie Break format (if necessary): longest fish; 2nd tie break: 2nd longest fish; 3rd tie break: 3rd longest fish; 4th tie break: 4th longest fish; 5th tie break: time of submission.

Cheeky has full and complete discretion on all rules, fish measurement, fish submission, disqualification, and final scoring. No exceptions and all decisions are final. Any breach of the rules may be investigated and may be pursued to the fullest extent under applicable law.

We will be reviewing rules Friday during the Captains Party. Please reply to this email with any questions! You can find the full Schoolie Tournament Schedule HERE.