2026 Florida Tuna Jackpot Official Tournament Rules

Tournament Dates

Florida Tuna Jackpot will run from February 16, 2026 through June 16, 2026.

Tournament Format

This is a “you pick your day” tournament.
Each boat may fish a maximum of three (3) declared days during the tournament period.

Day Declaration

Captains must declare their fishing day no later than 9:00 PM the night before the intended fishing day.
Declarations must be made by:
• Email: blakepacella@gmail.com
• Text: (954) 629-2132
Upon declaration, the captain will receive a tournament-issued confirmation code. You will need to verbally say that code in your proof video.

Scoring & Winners

The boat with the heaviest aggregate weight of three (3) yellowfin tuna will be declared the winner of the Florida Tuna Jackpot.
First and second place only will be awarded. 70/30 split.

Fish Limits

Each boat may weigh up to three (3) fish per declared fishing day.
If more than three fish are weighed during the tournament, the lowest weights will be dropped.

Fishing Area

Boats may leave from any inlet from Fort Pierce to Key Biscayne.

Fishing Hours & Check-In

Lines in at 5:00 AM.
All fish must be boated by midnight of the declared fishing day.
Boats must check in by 5:00 AM via satellite or cellular phone with a status update and to notify the tournament committee if fish will be weighed on that day.

Weigh-In Rules

All fish must be weighed within twenty-four (24) hours of being caught.

For multiple-day trips, if a captain declares two consecutive fishing days, fish may be weighed within forty-eight (48) hours of the first fish being caught.

No mutilated fish will be accepted.

Photo & Video Verification

A digital photograph is required for each fish landed, showing the tournament-issued code.
Photos & video must be emailed to the tournament committee upon arrival back to port.
Only fish with proper photo & video documentation will be eligible for weigh-in.

Aggregate Weight Rules

This is a total aggregate weight tournament.
A two-fish aggregate may beat a three-fish aggregate if the total weight is higher.
In the event of a tie:
• The aggregate with the largest individual fish wins.
• If still tied, the fish weighed first will be deemed the winner.

Prizes

Only one prize per boat is permitted in the Tuna Classic, excluding Tournament Within a Tournament prizes.

Undeclaring a Day / Substitutions

A captain may undeclare a fishing day one (1) time for mechanical failure by 8:00 AM of the declared day, provided no lines have been deployed, via phone, text, or email.
Captains may undeclare multiple times due to weather, provided this occurs before leaving the inlet.
One (1) boat substitution is allowed during the tournament, provided the substitute boat is not registered in the tournament.

Polygraph

The captain and crew of all entrants are subject to a polygraph test at any time during the tournament.
Winning captains are required to submit to and pass a polygraph test prior to receiving prizes.
Refusal to submit to a polygraph will result in disqualification and forfeiture of all prize claims.

Equipment & Conduct

Flying drones are not permitted.
Electric reels are allowed.
Every boat must carry a satellite communicator and EPIRB while fishing a declared day.
Acceptable devices include satellite phones, texting units (e.g., Garmin inReach), or internet services (e.g., Starlink).

Vessel Requirements

All boats must comply with local, state, and federal regulations.
Boats must leave and return under their own power.
If a boat cannot return under its own power, it will be disqualified for that day, and the day will still count as a declared day.
Boats rendering assistance to another vessel will not be disqualified.

Weather Disclaimer

This is a Captain’s Choice tournament.
Captains are solely responsible for the safety of their vessel and crew.
Participants are responsible for complying with all applicable fishing and boating laws.
Safety is paramount, and each participant must determine whether conditions are safe for their vessel.

Protests

Any protest must be submitted in writing to the Tournament Director, Blake Pacella, within 24 hours of the fish being weighed.
A $1,000 non-refundable fee (cash or check) must accompany the protest.
On the final day of the tournament (June 16, 2026), all protests must be submitted by 6:00 PM.

Final Authority

All decisions by the Tournament Committee are final.
The tournament reserves the right to deny entry to any captain at its sole discretion.

Prize Money

Prize money will be posted on the morning of June 17th, 2026.