SLTFC 2026 FIVE SERIES TOURNAMENT RULES

Lines in 6 am, weigh-in 3:00 to 3:30 day of tournament.

SLTFC Tournament Series Mission:

The annual five tournament series is based on a friendly fishing competition. While there are a number of highly competitive big dollar local tournaments for professional and amateur anglers, the primary purpose of SLTFC tournaments is to have fun and friendly competition that fosters fellowship with people who share a passion for fishing. Our meetings allow for socializing and information sharing and the tournaments allow members go out and put their skills and knowledge to practice. The tournaments also provide a chance for members to socialize, compete and have fun in a relatively safe environment. The entry fees are returned to anglers as cash prizes. Recognition awards are designed to acknowledge angler’s skills through an objective process.

Tournament Overview

Our 2026 tournament series will be funded by entry fees and the payout will be 100%. All contestants must be paid SLTFC members. The fee for each tournament per angler will be $10 or $45 for all five. You may prepay for all five tournaments online here at the Five Series Tournament Section, at the meeting, or by mail. If you prepay at a meeting or by mail, please pay by check or exact cash amount and include the completed tournament form. Otherwise, bring your $10 cash payment for an individual tournament to the weigh-in.

All anglers are required to check in by text prior to 8:00am day of the tournament. Please text (Matt Rhodes, 336-601-9008 ) and provide your name on the check-in text message. When you check in , it is final, fish or no fish, and payment and completed tournament form will be due at the weigh-in. (please have exact amount).

All fish must be caught in NC waters on the day of the tournament. The line in time is 6:00 AM on the day of the tournament. Weigh in is at Radio Island Marina and starts at 3:00 pm, ends at 3:30 pm. Weigh in one fish per species. Placement is by weight except for false albacore which is by length (FL). Catch and release is encouraged for false albacore. The fork length can be measured and certified by the angler (honor system and photo).

Weigh-In

Tournament weigh-in will be one angler at a time. Each angler will bring just their catch to the scale. Multiple anglers per boat are encouraged however; their catch must be in a separate container at weigh in. Tagging or cutting fins as a marker is recommended. If you have signed up to fish, please notify tournament directors by 3:30pm that you have returned safely from fishing.

Cash Awards

Tournament series species will count toward cash payout. Professional guides or anglers fishing with professional guides on tournament day will not qualify for cash awards. Payouts are awarded per event at club meetings. Tournament species minimum size specified by NC Regulation: grey trout, speckled trout, flounder, Spanish mackerel, cobia, sheepshead, black drum, red drum, false albacore, king mackerel, bluefish, sea mullet, spot, croaker, and bonito. Tournament species minimum size set by tournament rules: Total length for sea mullet 10”, bluefish 12”, spot 7”, and croaker 10”. Payout amounts will be based on points awarded for first, second and third place per species only. All awards will be distributed at the SLTFC monthly meetings.

Annual Angler Recognition

The end of the year awards are based on each angler’s aggregate accumulation of points per tournament per season. Points for Grand Slam (3 different species weighed in) and Target Species will also be added to each angler’s total. Anglers will need to fish at least three of the five series tournaments to qualify for any recognition award.

Points

∙ First place per species 3 pts.

∙ Second place per species 2 pts.

∙ Third place per species 1 pt.

∙ Target Species 1 pt. End of year only

∙ Grand Slam 3 pt. End of year only

In order to qualify for a recognition award, an angler must fish in at least three of the series tournaments. The annual recognition awards are:

Angler of the Year - Most points acquired in the series.

Lady Angler of the Year - Most points acquired in the series. (There must be at least three qualifying ladies in the series.)

Expert Angler – An angler who performs well beyond all other club anglers will, at the tournament director’s discretion and in consultation with the board, be awarded Expert Angler

Rookie of the Year - First time in SLTFC tournament with the highest points (There must be at least three qualifying rookies in the series.)

Captain of the Year: The captain who takes out the most members in the tournament's series and declares those anglers at each weigh in. (A minimum of three tournaments required and at least three anglers on any given trip)

Winning anglers receive a plaque and retain that plaque for one year. In addition, the club will award the three Five Series top point anglers cash awards as follows: First $125, Second $80, Third $45.

Cancellation and rescheduling due to bad weather will be made by email no later than 3:30 pm the day before the tournament. Tournament Directors will also post on SLTFC FB page and text or call all confirmed anglers. Each angler is responsible for his/her own safety, his/her full understanding of the tournament rules, and conforming to all NC State Regulations. Director's decisions final.

2024 SLTFC Tournament Dates - Target Species

May 12, Backup date 5/14	Sea Mullet, Grey Trout
June 16, Backup date 6/18	Red Drum, Sheepshead
September 08, Backup date 9/10	Spanish, Blue Fish
September 22, Backup date 09/24	King Mackerel, Spot
October 20, Backup date 10/22	Black Drum, Speckled Trout