There have been changes in the Tournament/NC Citation program. I will review these changes soon. Some species have been removed, some added and more catch and release categories and some changes in the weighs for citation designation (www.ncdmf.net).

2008 NORTH CAROLINA SALTWATER FISHING TOURNAMENT MANAGED BY NORTH CAROLINA DIVISION OF MARINE FISHERIES The Tournament begins January 1, 2008 and ends Midnight, December 31, 2008. TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR AN AWARD, ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY JANUARY 15, 2009. Everyone is eligible except a charter boat captain or a crewman of a for-hire boat or anyone who offers fish for sale. Weighmasters or their employees are eligible for awards, provided a witness signs verification. Eligible waters include all North Carolina sounds, estuaries, surf, and the Atlantic Ocean. No registration fee is required. Certificate qualifications: All fish must be caught on hook and line and landed or brought to gaff or net by the angler. No electric or hydraulic equipment is allowed. Fish must be weighed by an authorized weighmaster (or his/her representative: at an official weigh station. Each fish must be recorded on an official application form, signed by the angler and by a weighmaster. Snagged, mutilated, scaled, speared, frozen, or shot fish are not eligible. The weighmaster reserves the right to cut, open, or mark the fish after it has been weighed. Release rules: Angler or mate must touch the fish or the leader. Application must be completed with exception of length and weight (amberjack, bluefin tuna, cobia, king mackerel, striped bass and red drum must have the length recorded). A witness must sign application.

The Official 2008 North Carolina Saltwater Fishing Tournament Minimum Weights

Albacore, False RELEASE ONLY (E)
Amberjack 50 lbs (H)
Atlantic Bonita 8 lbs (B)
Barracuda Release ONLY (G)
Bass, Black Sea 4 lbs
Bluefish 15 lbs
Cobia 40lbs (D)
Croaker 3 lbs
Dolphin 35 lbs
Drum, Black 35 lbs (F)
Drum, Red RELEASE ONLY (F)
Flounder 5 lbs
Grouper 20 lbs
Jack, Crevalle RELEASE ONLY (C)
Mackerel, King 30 lbs (G)
Mackerel, Spanish 6 lbs
Marlin, Blue 400 lbs (A)
Marlin, White RELEASE ONLY (A)
Mullet, Sea 1 ½ lbs
Pompano 2 lbs
Red Porgy (Silver Snapper) 4 lbs
Sailfish RELEASE ONLY (A)
Shark 150 lbs (I)
Sheepshead 8 lbs
Snapper, Red 10 lbs
Spot 1 lb
Striped Bass 35 lbs (G)
Tarpon RELEASE ONLY (A)
Tilefish, Grey 10 lbs
Triggerfish 5 lbs
Trout, Gray 5 lbs (B)
Trout, Speckled 5 lbs (B)
Tuna, Bigeye 100 lbs
Tuna, Blackfin 20 lbs
Tuna, Bluefin 80 lbs (A)
Tuna, Yellowfin 70 lbs
Wahoo 40 lbs
A = Award for live release of fish, regardless of size
B = Award for live release of fish, 24 inches or longer
C = Award for live release of fish, 32 inches or longer
D = Award for live release of fish, 33 inches or longer
E = Award for live release of fish, 34 inches or longer
F = Award for live release of fish, 40 inches or longer
G = Award for live release of fish, 45 inches or longer
H = Award for live release of fish, 50 inches or longer
I = Award for live release of fish, 80 inches or longer

For more information on the NC Saltwater Fishing Tournament contact Carole Willis or Partha Howell with the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries at 800-682-2632 or 252-726-7021. Or Contact them via e-mail Carole.Y.Willis@ncmail.net |  Partha.Howell@ncmail.net

There have been changes in the Tournament/NC Citation program. I will review these changes soon. Some species have been removed, some added and more catch and release categories and some changes in the weighs for citation designation (www.ncdmf.net).

2008 NORTH CAROLINA SALTWATER FISHING TOURNAMENT MANAGED BY NORTH CAROLINA DIVISION OF MARINE FISHERIES The Tournament begins January 1, 2008 and ends Midnight, December 31, 2008. TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR AN AWARD, ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY JANUARY 15, 2009. Everyone is eligible except a charter boat captain or a crewman of a for-hire boat or anyone who offers fish for sale. Weighmasters or their employees are eligible for awards, provided a witness signs verification. Eligible waters include all North Carolina sounds, estuaries, surf, and the Atlantic Ocean. No registration fee is required. Certificate qualifications: All fish must be caught on hook and line and landed or brought to gaff or net by the angler. No electric or hydraulic equipment is allowed. Fish must be weighed by an authorized weighmaster (or his/her representative: at an official weigh station. Each fish must be recorded on an official application form, signed by the angler and by a weighmaster. Snagged, mutilated, scaled, speared, frozen, or shot fish are not eligible. The weighmaster reserves the right to cut, open, or mark the fish after it has been weighed. Release rules: Angler or mate must touch the fish or the leader. Application must be completed with exception of length and weight (amberjack, bluefin tuna, cobia, king mackerel, striped bass and red drum must have the length recorded). A witness must sign application.

The Official 2008 North Carolina Saltwater Fishing Tournament Minimum Weights

Albacore, False RELEASE ONLY (E)
Amberjack 50 lbs (H)
Atlantic Bonita 8 lbs (B)
Barracuda Release ONLY (G)
Bass, Black Sea 4 lbs
Bluefish 15 lbs
Cobia 40lbs (D)
Croaker 3 lbs
Dolphin 35 lbs
Drum, Black 35 lbs (F)
Drum, Red RELEASE ONLY (F)
Flounder 5 lbs
Grouper 20 lbs
Jack, Crevalle RELEASE ONLY (C)
Mackerel, King 30 lbs (G)
Mackerel, Spanish 6 lbs
Marlin, Blue 400 lbs (A)
Marlin, White RELEASE ONLY (A)
Mullet, Sea 1 ½ lbs
Pompano 2 lbs
Red Porgy (Silver Snapper) 4 lbs
Sailfish RELEASE ONLY (A)
Shark 150 lbs (I)
Sheepshead 8 lbs
Snapper, Red 10 lbs
Spot 1 lb
Striped Bass 35 lbs (G)
Tarpon RELEASE ONLY (A)
Tilefish, Grey 10 lbs
Triggerfish 5 lbs
Trout, Gray 5 lbs (B)
Trout, Speckled 5 lbs (B)
Tuna, Bigeye 100 lbs
Tuna, Blackfin 20 lbs
Tuna, Bluefin 80 lbs (A)
Tuna, Yellowfin 70 lbs
Wahoo 40 lbs
A = Award for live release of fish, regardless of size
B = Award for live release of fish, 24 inches or longer
C = Award for live release of fish, 32 inches or longer
D = Award for live release of fish, 33 inches or longer
E = Award for live release of fish, 34 inches or longer
F = Award for live release of fish, 40 inches or longer
G = Award for live release of fish, 45 inches or longer
H = Award for live release of fish, 50 inches or longer
I = Award for live release of fish, 80 inches or longer

For more information on the NC Saltwater Fishing Tournament contact Carole Willis or Partha Howell with the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries at 800-682-2632 or 252-726-7021. Or Contact them via e-mail Carole.Y.Willis@ncmail.net |  Partha.Howell@ncmail.net