2026 Cobia East Coast Championship Rules
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE PRESENT AT THE AWARDS CEREMONY TO COLLECT FUNDS OR TROPHIES!!
1. IF A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE WINNING BOAT CANNOT ATTEND THE AWARD CEREMONRY, THE TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR WILL CONTACT THE WINNER IN ORDER TO ARRANGE A TIME TO MEET ON SUNDAY, JUNE 21st TO HAND OUT AWARDS AND ANY MONIES WON..
2. All participants must be covered by a valid VA Saltwater sport fishing license and must obey all Federal and VA Saltwater Fishing Regulations. Failure to do so would mean disqualification. FISH AT YOUR OWN RISK
3. All fish must be caught in VA or Federal waters. FISH AT YOUR RISK
4. All entries must be registered prior to 8 P.M., Friday, June 19th, 2026. FISH AT YOUR OWN RISK
5. Fish must be caught by rod and reel only.
6. Each boat may weigh-in one (1) Cobia only. If there is a Registered child or Lady angler on the boat they can weigh-in One (1) Cobia each as well. Winners will be determined by the weight of the team’s heaviest Cobia. See VMRC regulations on legal size fish.
7. A representative from each registered boat is required to attend one of the Captain’s Meetings on Friday, June 19th, 2025 starting at 8pm. Anglers have the option of 5 different locations.
a. York River Yacht Haven Marina, 8109 Yacht Haven Rd, Hayes, VA 23062
b. Tidewater Yacht Marina, 10 Crawford Prkwy, Portsmouth, VA 23704
c. Wallace’s Bait and Tackle Hampton VA 365 Dandy Point Rd, Hampton, VA 23664
d. Windmill Point Marina, 40 Windjammer Ln, White Stone, VA 22578
e. The Oyster Farm Resort, 500 Marina Village Cir, Cape Charles, VA 23310
8. Official tournament start time is 6:00 AM. (lines in the water) on Saturday, June 21st, 2025. This means NO bait fishing and NO chumming before 6am. FISH AT YOUR OWN RISK
9. There are 5 Official Weigh-in stations.
a. York River Yacht Haven Marina, 8109 Yacht Haven Rd, Hayes, VA 23062
b. Long Bay Pointe Marina 2109 West Great Neck Rd, Virginia Beach VA. 23451
c. Wallace’s Bait and Tackle Hampton VA 365 Dandy Point Rd, Hampton, VA 23664
d. Windmill Point Marina, 40 Windjammer Ln, White Stone, VA 22578
e. The Oyster Farm Resort, 500 Marina Village Cir, Cape Charles, VA 23310
***At all weigh-in stations your fish will be weighed and inspected by the Weigh Master. Weigh ins will begin at 1:00PM and you must be in line NO LATER than 6:00PM.
10. Fish can be brought in by car or boat to any of the 5 weigh stations.
11. In case of tie, the earliest time of weigh-in or Registered fish will determine the winner.
12. A polygraph exam may be required for the winners. Failure to pass the polygraph will result in disqualification.
13. All fish are subject to thorough examination, both external and internal.
13. You must tag your heaviest Calcutta fish with the special tag provided at Captains meeting on June 19th, 2026.
14. All protests must be presented to the tournament committee before 7pm day of the tournament. A deposit of $500 is required to file a protest. If the protest is upheld the money will be refunded.
15. Any contestant found guilty of cheating, attempting to cheat, or otherwise deviating from the regulations of this tournament, shall be disqualified and considered ineligible for further and future participation and will be prosecuted.
16. A CODE WORD WILL BE PROVIDED AT THE CAPTAINS MEETING.
THE FISH MUST BE VIDEOED ALIVE AFTER LANDING. (AKA GETTING THE FISH IN THE BOAT) THE CODEWORD MUST BE RECORDED DURING SAID VIDEO.
FAILURE TO RECORD THE FISH ALIVE AND/OR FAILURE TO SAY THE CODEWORD IN THE RECORDING WILL RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION OF SAID FISH.
The recording is to be presented to the Weigh-in Master at the Weigh-in location. If the video is considered “questionable” by the Weigh-in master, the video is to be sent to the Tournament Director. The Tournament Director will make the final decision regarding authenticity of video and eligibility of said fish.
17. Tournament committee members are not eligible to fish in this tournament. They will be identified at the Captain’s Meeting on June 19th, 2026.
18. THE TOURNAMENT WILL BE HELD ON JUNE 20th, 2026. ANY DATE CHANGE WILL BE UP TO THE TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR AND WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT THE CAPTAINS MEETING ON FRIDAY, JUNE 19th. FISH AT YOUR OWN RISK.
19. NO REFUNDS!!!
20. There will be 5 levels of optional Calcutta's. The previous level must be entered to enter the next. CASH ONLY! Entry fees are - Level 1-$100, Level 2-$200, Level 3-$300, Level 4-$500, Level 5-$900.
Calcutta Monies will be distributed as follows:
1st place–60% of total purse;
2nd place–30% of total purse;
3rd place–10% of total purse.
21. All participants agree that the Kyle Bell Homes LLC, York River Yacht Haven Marina, Long Bay Pointe Marina, Wallace’s Bait and Tackle, Windmill Point, The Oyster Farm Resort, Tidewater Yacht Marina and any sponsor of this tournament shall not be liable for injury, loss or damage of any kind resulting from participation in this tournament.
22. Lady Angler Division–The largest fish wins $300. In case of a tie, the first fish brought in will win. Fish may also be entered in the main event. Must register at Captains meeting.
23. Kid Angler Division–Children 15 years old and under may participate. The largest fish wins $300. In case of a tie, the first fish brought in will win. Fish may also be entered in the main event. Must register at Captains meeting.
24. Anglers are responsible for all applicable taxes on prizes received. Winners shall allow the Cobia East Coast Championship and the sponsors the opportunity and right to Film, videotape, record, and photograph the winners and to use the prize winner’s name, voice and likeness without further compensation for advertising and promotion of the CECC and the sponsors.
25. No cobia can be “released” dead.
26. Each Entry will receive 1 captain’s bucket, tournament tag and Four wristbands to the after party and awards presentation
27. The Tournament Director reserves the right to deny any person/boat entry into the Cobia East Coast Championship.
28. Once a fish is brought on board and placed into the livewell, cooler, or otherwise retained, it is considered part of the team's catch and may not be released or replaced with another fish. Culling is strictly prohibited.
Fish must be measured and/or weighed immediately upon retention to determine whether it meets tournament requirements.
Undersized or unwanted fish must be released immediately and in good condition.
Any team found to be culling or attempting to cull fish after they’ve been retained may face disqualification or penalties at the discretion of the Tournament Committee.
This rule is in place to ensure ethical handling of fish and promote conservation.
29. Awards presentation will start at 7:30pm at York River Yacht Haven Marina, Hayes, VA.
30. 2026 Payouts
1st- $7,500
2nd-$2,500
3rd- $1,200
4th- $800
5th- $500