Ecology Award

Release entry forms are available at all official weighing stations, at Tournament Headquarters, and online.  Recognition is given at the end of the tournament to Male, Female, Youth, and Boat category winners. Ecology certificates will be presented to anglers with 100 or more points. Fish must be alive and in good condition when released. A release occurs when the hook is physically removed or wire is cut by the angler or mate.  Any catch and release points earned on a licensed charter boat will go towards the charter boat’s total points. They cannot be credited to an individual.

Fish

Point Value

Fish

Point Value

Amberjack

10

Largemouth Bass

10

Barracuda

10

Other Tuna

20

Billfish

150

Shark

10

Bluefish*

10

Sheepshead

10

Channel Bass

10

Snapper

20

Cobia

50

Spadefish

10

Dolphin

50

Spanish Mackerel

10

Flounder

10

Striped Bass

20

Grouper

20

Tarpon

100

Jack Crevalle

20

Trout

10

King Mackerel

50

Wahoo

100

Ladyfish

10

Yellowfin Tuna

100

*Includes Marlin, Sailfish, and Swordfish

Angling Methods

All fish entered must be caught on rod and reel except for freshwater species and sheepshead; cane poles are permitted for these species. No handlines are permitted. Fish snagged, gigged, shot, or harpooned are ineligible. Anglers must play and land fish without assistance. Length of fish and catch limits must meet Federal and State laws.

Fly Rod Regulations
Rods must conform to generally accepted fly fishing customs. The lure must be a recognized type of artificial fly and not natural or preserved bait.

Tackle Divisions

Saltwater

• Ultra Light Tackle - 8 lb. test line or less.
• Light Tackle - Over 8 lb. through 20 lb. test line.
• General Tackle - Over 20 lb. test line.
• Fly Rod - 20 lb. test tippet or less.

Freshwater

• Ultra Light Tackle - 8 lb. test line or less.
• Light Tackle - Over 8 lb. through 14 lb. test line.
• General Tackle - Over 14 lb. test line.
• Fly Rod - 20 lb. test tippet or less.

Official Waters

Fish must be caught in waters of Berkeley, Charleston, or Dorchester counties. Offshore catches must be made in boats leaving from and returning to waters between South Santee River and South Edisto River. It is permissible to enter fish caught in the Edisto River and its tributaries and the Santee River provided boats launch from and return to the tri-county area. See Classes of Eligible Fish for Inshore/Offshore species listing.

Weigh Stations

All fish must be weighed at an Official Trident Tournament Station. Certified personnel at weigh stations will conduct weigh-in and angler will, by his signature, attest that an official weighmaster performed the weigh-in. Anglers may not weigh in their own fish.  Anglers (not weight stations) are responsible for submitting entry cards.

If the weigh station's scale is not certified by the Department of Agriculture, it is the responsibility of the weigh station to correct the scale and get re-certified or remove the tournament signage from their location. 

Judging

All entries will be approved and judged by the tournament judges and winners will be notified via mail. Selection to be based on overall performances as determined from valid entry forms and participation in the Ecology Program. Questionable entries will be disqualified. Decisions of the judges are final.

Ties

No duplicate awards will be made. Earliest entry will be named winner.

Awards

Plaques will be awarded for heaviest eligible fish in each tackle division at the annual awards banquet.  Charter boat/Captain can only fish under the charter category, not the recreational category.

Special Awards

• Outstanding Saltwater Angler, Inshore & Offshore
• Outstanding Freshwater Angler, Male, Female, Youth
• Outstanding Lady Angler, Inshore & Offshore
• Outstanding Youth (16 yrs. & Under), Inshore & Offshore
• Outstanding Light Tackle Award, includes Ultra-light, Inshore, & Offshore
• Outstanding Fly Fishing Award
• Ecology Award (based on release points), Male, Female, Youth; Outstanding Boat (Inshore & Offshore); and Outstanding Charter Boat (Inshore & Offshore)
• Outstanding Out-of-the-Area Catch (based on the outstanding catch by an out-of-the tri-county angler), Inshore & Offshore
• Boat Award - Inshore & Offshore (recreational and charter)
• Special Recognition Awards (special awards based on merit)
• New Tournament Record
• Outstanding Catfish Award*
• Outstanding Shark Award*

Anglers are encouraged to enter all eligible fish, as this will count toward selection of outstanding anglers, outstanding boats, and special awards.

Master Angler’s

Certificates will be awarded during the course of the tournament to each angler entering an eligible fish meeting or exceeding the minimum weight requirements. Certificates will be presented for each eligible fish entered.

Tournament Decals

An official decal of the tournament will be awarded to each angler entering an eligible fish.

Photo Contest

Photo contest is open to all tournament participants. You may enter the contest by sending any size “sport-fishing” photo or slide, color or black and white, from the tri-county area to tournament headquarters at:

Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission

Attn: CTFT Photo Contest

861 Riverland Drive

Charleston, SC 29412

Or email to:

Administrative Assistant for Recreation Programs

• 1st Place - $100 and photo on front cover of brochure
• 2nd Place - $75  and photo on front cover of brochure
• 3rd Place - $50 and photo in brochure
• 4th Place - $25 and photo in brochure