2024 Cobia East Coast Championship Rules

2024 RULES WILL BE UPDATED SOON…

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE PRESENT AT THE AWARDS CEREMONY TO COLLECT FUNDS OR TROPHIES!!

1. A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE TOURNAMENT WILL BE AT OCEANS EAST EASTERN SHORE LOCATION ON SUNDAY JUNE 16TH AT 11AM TO HAND OUT AWARDS AND MONIES IF ANYONE FROM EASTERN SHORE CAN NOT MAKE THE AWARDS CEREMONY. LIKEWISE, A REPRESENTATIVE WILL ALSO BE AT OCEANS EAST IN VIRGINIA BEACH ON JUNE 16TH AT 12PM TO HAND OUT AWARDS AND ANY MONIES WON IF ANYONE FROM SOUTHSIDE, VA CAN NOT BE PRESENT AT THE AWARDS CEREMONY. A REPRESENTATIVE WILL ALSO MEET ANYONE FROM THE NORTHERN NECK ON SUNDAY JUNE 18TH TO HAND OUT MONIES AND TROPHIES 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. Must register by 8:00pn on June 14, 2023. FISH AT YOUR OWN RISK

3. All fish must be caught in VA or Federal waters.

4. All entries must be registered prior to 8 P.M., Friday, June 14, 2023.

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 14, 2023 starting at 8pm. Anglers have the option of 5 different locations.

A. Legasea Marine, 821 Railway Road, Yorktown, VA 23692

B. Long Bay Pointe Marina, 2109 W Great Neck Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

C. Wallace’s bait and tackle Hampton VA, 365 Dandy Point Rd, Hampton, VA 23664

D. Oceans East, 28316 Lankford Hwy, Capeville, VA 23313 (EASTERN SHORE)

E. Windmill Point Marina, 40 Windjammer Ln, White Stone, VA 22578

8. Official tournament start time is 6:00 AM. (lines in the water) on Saturday, June 15th, 2023. This means NO bait fishing and NO chumming before 6am.

9. There are 5 Official Weigh-in stations.

a. Legasea Marine, 821 Railway Road, Yorktown, VA 23692

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. Oceans East, 28316 Lankford Hwy, Capeville, VA 23313 (EASTERN SHORE) E.

e. Windmill Point Marina, 40 Windjammer Ln, White Stone, VA 22578

***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 5:00PM.

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.

14. All protests must be presented to the tournament committee before 6pm 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. The catch must be video recorded. When catching the fish, a CODE WORD is required to be caught on video during the catch. The CODE WORD will be revealed at the Captain’s Meeting. The Video should show a portion of the fight and the ENTIER landing of the fish. FAILURE TO RECORD THE LANDING AND FAILURE TO SAY THE CODE WORD IN THE RECORDING WILL RESULT IN DISQUALIFATION 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 16, 2023.

18. THE TOURNAMENT WILL BE HELD ON JUNE 15, 2023 REGARDLESS OF WEATHER. 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.

You must tag your heaviest Calcutta fish with the special tag provided at Captains meeting on June 14, 2023.

21. All participants agree that the Kyle Bell Homes LLC, Legasea Marine, Long Bay Pointe Marina, Wallace’s Bait and Tackle, Oceans East, Windmill Point 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 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. Awards presentation will start at 7:00pm at Legasea Marine.

29. 2024 Payouts

1st- $5,000

2nd-$2,500

3rd- $1,200

4th- $800

5th- $500