Scoreboard Rules and Scoring System

TOP FISH: Special awards will be given to the Anglers who catch the three heaviest fish in each recognized species.

TOP BOAT: Points will be awarded toward Top Boat corresponding to the number of points on the board earned by any club angler on a boat captained by its club member/owner. Only one individual can be assigned as boat captain per boat.

POINT SYSTEM: Points will be given for the three heaviest fish of each species in each of the three Master Angler Divisions. Each first place fish will receive 100 points, second place 50 points, third place 25 points. A one time award of 50 points per species, will be made to any angler releasing a Billfish. The three club members, per division, who amass the most total points during the year will be recognized as first, second, and third Master Angler in each division.

SPECIES:

   Offshore                                                        Inshore/Nearshore
   Snapper (Red/ARS, Mutton)                        Snapper (Mangrove, Yellowtail)
   Grouper (Gag/Grey, Red, Black, Scamp)       Redfish
   Dolphin                                                      Trout
   Cobia                                                          Snook
   Kingfish                                                      Tripletail
   Tuna                                                            Flounder
   Amberjack                                 

OFFSHORE PROGRAM RULES

1. Scales used to weigh entries must be IGFA or state certified. Additional scales including the Salter or Sampson models (50 or 100 lb) and the Rapala digital model 50 pound are or may be approved by the weighmaster. (Marinas, bait shops, fish markets, and grocery stores usually have certified scales).
2. Fish may be eligible only for the scoreboard period during which they are caught.
3. All entries must be recorded and witnessed. An official CFOA Certification of Catch and Weight form is required via submission form on CFOA website. Two photos must be included in the submission (1) showing the fish on the scale with the weight displayed (2) with the angler holding that caught fish.
   
4. The Tournament will run from November 1st through October 31st with the awards ceremony being held at the December Meeting. Deadline for each entry is 30 days from date caught, except that all October entries (October entries must be submitted by midnight, November 2nd).
5. Species ties will be awarded to the Angler who first catches the prize fish. Point totals ties will be broken on the final board by considering first the number of different species, and second the total number of places on the board. Total weight will be the last consideration.
6. Weights are to be rounded down to the nearest ounce.
7. Only fish caught in U.S. territorial waters, as demarked by the EEZ, aboard a boat leaving from, and returning to, a Florida port will be eligible.
8. Entries will only be accepted from anglers who are club members in good standing at the time the fish is hooked.
9. I.G.F.A. rules will apply to both tackle and method. No electric reels, no wire line, no one may touch the rod but the angler, etc., the exception being physically or mentally challenged anglers. They are exempt from any I.G.F.A. rules that would prohibit their participation, providing they set the hook and reel in the fish, and the catch provides a sporting challenge for the angler and tackle. If electric reels are required for the physically or mentally challenged anglers, wire line is not allowed and the line class of tackle used must not exceed 50 pounds.
10. PEEWEE Division: To qualify for the CFOA PeeWee Division, the angler must be at least age 5 and not a Junior. Adults may assist PeeWee anglers by striking the fish/setting the hook, adjusting drags and supporting the rod while the fish is being fought by the angler who should operate the reel handle. PeeWee anglers may also use installed rod holders, but may not use electric reels. Year-end trophies (1-2-3) will be awarded for the heaviest offshore fish and the longest inshore species (six awards total). Boat points will not be awarded for PeeWee Division catches.
11. JUNIOR Division: The angler must be age 11 and not more than age 15. Adults may assist Junior anglers by striking the fish/setting the hook, and supporting the rod while the fish is being fought. Junior anglers may also use installed rod holders, but may not use electric reels. Year-end trophies will be awarded for all species of offshore and inshore fish on the Scoreboard. Boat points will be awarded for Junior Division catches.
12. SENIOR Division: The anglers must be age 55, or older. Senior anglers may be assisted by having someone take the rod from the holder, strike the fish/set the hook, and pass the rod to the Senior. Seniors may use installed rod holders during the course of fighting the fish.  Year-end trophies will be awarded for all species of offshore and inshore fish on the Scoreboard. Boat points will be awarded for qualifying Senior Division catches.
13. The final decision regarding catch eligibility for all anglers belongs to the Weighmaster or the Tournament Director.
14. As a recreational fishing club, the CFOA ethic is based on conservation and the honor system. CFOA does not condone the sale of fish caught by its members. Keep only what you will eat, within federal and state bag limits. Members who sell fish are not eligible to submit their catches to the Offshore and Inshore Scoreboards.
15. Members fishing on the boats of other members, who are licensed charter boat captains, and have paid a charter fee, may submit weight slips for the fish they have caught, but points will not be awarded to the boat. However, if members are fishing on member boats, on a free or expense-sharing basis, both fish and boat are eligible for point awards.
16. If there was an error in the weigh slip submission due to data entry or system error, you have one month from the notification of the entry being fixed to re-submit your weigh slip. 

INSHORE PROGRAM RULES

1. Only Length and Girth will be used to determine the size of a fish (weight is optional).
2. Length and Girth must be determined with a verifiable and flexible measuring device which is at least 3 feet in length (e.g. cloth or plastic coated measuring tape)
3. Length measurements must be taken in accordance with Local, State and Federal Recreational Fishing Regulations.
4. Measurements are to be rounded to the nearest 1⁄4 inch.
5. Species ties will be awarded to the Angler who first catches the prize fish. Point total ties will be broken on the final board by considering first the number of different species, and second the total number of places on the board. Total length and girth measurements will be the last consideration.
6. Fish may be eligible only for the scoreboard period during which they are caught.
7. The Tournament will run from November 1st through October 31st with the awards ceremony being held at the December Meeting. Deadline for each entry is 30 days from date caught, except that all October entries (October entries must be submitted by midnight, November 2nd).
8. Only fish caught in U.S. territorial waters, as demarked by the EEZ, aboard a boat leaving from, and returning to, a Florida port will be eligible.
9. Entries will only be accepted from anglers who are club members in good standing at the time the fish is hooked.
10. I.G.F.A. rules will apply to both tackle and method. No electric reels, no wire line, no one may touch the rod but the angler, etc., the exception being physically or mentally challenged anglers. They are exempt from any I.G.F.A. rules that would prohibit their participation, providing they set the hook and reel in the fish, and the catch provides a sporting challenge for the angler and tackle. If electric reels are required for the physically or mentally challenged anglers, wire line is not allowed and the line class of tackle used must not exceed 50 pounds.
11. To be eligible, the Certification of Catch and Weight Form must be submitted by the angler who caught the fish or the Member Captain of the boat the fish was caught on.
12. Tarpon released shall be considered caught when the leader is within grasp of mate, or swivel is to the end of rod tip. Tagging is encouraged but not required.
13. PEEWEE Division: To qualify for the CFOA PeeWee Division, the angler must be at least age 5 and not a Junior. Adults may assist PeeWee anglers by striking the fish/setting the hook, adjusting drags and supporting the rod while the fish is being fought by the angler who should operate the reel handle. PeeWee anglers may also use installed rod holders and electric reels. Year-end trophies (1-2-3) will be awarded for the heaviest offshore fish and the longest inshore species (six awards total). Boat points will not be awarded for PeeWee Division catches.
14. JUNIOR Division: The angler must be age 11 and not more than age 15. Adults may assist Junior anglers by striking the fish/setting the hook, and supporting the rod while the fish is being fought. Junior anglers may also use installed rod holders, but may not use electric reels. Year-end trophies will be awarded for all species of offshore and inshore fish on the Scoreboard. Boat points will be awarded for Junior Division catches.
15. SENIOR Division: The anglers must be age 55, or older. Senior anglers may be assisted by having someone take the rod from the holder, strike the fish/set the hook, and pass the rod to the Senior. Seniors may use installed rod holders during the course of fighting the fish. Seniors may use electric reels. Year-end trophies will be awarded for all species of offshore and inshore fish on the Scoreboard. Boat points will be awarded for qualifying Senior Division catches.
16. The final decision regarding catch eligibility for all anglers belongs to the Weighmaster or the Tournament Director.
17. As a recreational fishing club, the CFOA ethic is based on conservation and the honor system. CFOA does not condone the sale of fish caught by its members. Keep only what you will eat, within federal and state bag limits. Members who sell fish are not eligible to submit their catches to the Offshore and Inshore Scoreboards.
18. Members fishing on the boats of other members, who are licensed charter boat captains, and have paid a charter fee, may submit weight slips for the fish they have caught, but points will not be awarded to the boat. However, if members are fishing on member boats, on a free or expense-sharing basis, both fish and boat are eligible for point awards.
19. If there was an error in the weigh slip submission due to data entry or system error, you have one month from the notification of the entry being fixed to re-submit your weigh slip.