Grand Strand Fishing Rodeo

56th Annual Grand Strand Fishing Rodeo" Competition

Sponsored by the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce

April 1 - October 31, 2009
Over $7,000 in Prizes
No Entry Fee
Toll-free accommodations literature line: 800-356-3016

Grand Strand Fishing Rodeo | Rules and Regulations | Fish Divisions | State Record Information
Boats/Marinas/Piers | Weigh Stations | Tide Chart | Special Thanks | Fish of the Month Winners
Fish of the Month Prizes | Shoulder Patch Winners | Take A Kid Fishing

Rules and Regulations

Rules

The Grand Strand Fishing Rodeo is a program developed to enhance recreational fishing along the Grand Strand. Monthly and annual awards will be presented to recreational fishermen only.

The Entry Card

All entries must be submitted at participating weigh stations. Entry cards must be left at weigh station at time of weigh in. To be eligible for consideration:

1. The weigh masters must mail entries to the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. All entry cards must be postmarked within five days after the last day of the month in which the fish was caught.
2. Fish must meet the minimum weight.
3. Fish must be caught within the specified division(s).
4. Entry card must be completely and clearly filled out.
5. Anglers must see weigh masters to certify fish.
6. There is no weight limit for fish entered by anglers 10 years and younger. All other rodeo and state regulations apply.

Angling Methods

All fish must be caught on rod and reel by the angler making the entry. Assistance with gaff or net is allowable.

Eligible Waters

The coastal waters from the North Carolina line at Calabash southward to the South Santee River are eligible waters. Where boats are involved, only the fish caught from those that depart and return to port within the above named area are eligible.

Weigh Stations

Only certified personnel of the weigh station may conduct weigh ins and attest to the result with their signature. Weigh masters must:

1. Weigh fish to the nearest ounce.
2. Enter pertinent information concerning the catch on the entry card.
3. See that it is witnessed
4. Hand the card to the angler for full completion.

Credit for the catch will go to the angler and the weigh station making the entry. To help ensure all scales for weighing fish are accurate, the Fishing Rodeo Committee shall have the authority to have them inspected by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture, Consumer Protection Division, at the beginning of the rodeo or at a later date during the rodeo.

Judging

All entries will be subject to the approval of the Fishing Rodeo Committee, which will conduct the final judging and notify award winners. A written complaint to the Fishing Rodeo Committee is justification for the committee to declare any entry controversial and, therefore, out of consideration. There will be no duplicate awards for tied entries.The winner of a tied situation will be decided by blind draw. The decision of the Fishing Rodeo Committee is final.

Awards

• Decals – From April 1 to October 31, every entry received in every category that meets all the necessary state requirements will qualify its angler to receive an official Grand Strand Fishing Rodeo decal.
• Shoulder Patches – During each month of the Grand Strand Fishing Rodeo, an official shoulder patch will be awarded to the anglers entering the three heaviest fish of each species in each division for cap month.
• Awards for Fish-of-the-Month – During each month of the Grand Strand Fishing Rodeo, various prizes will be awarded to the anglers entering the four heaviest fish out of all eligible entries for the specified species.
• Awards for Largest of Species – At the end of the Grand Strand Fishing Rodeo, an award will be given to the angler entering the heaviest fish for each eligible species.
• Awards for Outstanding Catches – The following awards will be made in the Pier, Surf & Inlet, and Deep Sea divisions: Outstanding Men's Catch, Outstanding Woman's Catch, and Outstanding Young Angler's Catch (ages 11-15 and 10 and under).
• Banquet Eligibility – Only the anglers who catch the largest of species for the year, the anglers determined by the committee to have the outstanding catch in each division, and 10 anglers whose names have been drawn from all shoulder patch winners will be invited to the banquet and be eligible for the grand prize drawing.
• Grand Prize Award – The selection process for the Grand Prize award will consist of outstanding catches, the largest of species award winners for the year, and the 10 names drawn at random from all the shoulder patch winners for the entire year.

The winner will be drawn from those semifinalists during the Grand Strand Fishing Rodeo Dinner banquet in December. You must be present to win the grand prize!

Anglers catching a possible state record must contact the State Record Marine Game Fish Program at (843) 953-9300. If the fish is caught on the weekend, the angler can leave a voice mail message. The angler must preserve the fish in ice or freeze it until the state official weighs, measures, and certifies the fish.

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