The rules of the Suncoast Tarpon Roundup, Inc. have been established in the interest of friendly competition, fairness, sportsmanship, and conservation. Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be condoned and will be grounds for disqualification of any entrant by final decision of the Board of Directors. Each angler, upon submission of their registration form, agrees to abide by the tournament rules and those imposed by the State of Florida, and absolves the Suncoast Tarpon Roundup, Inc. for any injuries or accidents while participating in the tournament. In case of disputes, the decision of the STR Board of Directors will be final. The Board of Directors of the Suncoast Tarpon Roundup, Inc. strongly urge all participants to release any tarpon as quickly as possible so as not to endanger them.  All FWC Regulations apply while participating in the STR.

BOUNDARIES

Tarpon entered in the Suncoast Tarpon Roundup (STR) must be caught in the Gulf of Mexico and inland waters adjacent to Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee and Sarasota Counties.

Northern Boundary: Marker number 4, located approximately 2 miles north of Anclote Key.

Southern Boundaries: Markers C3 and C5 on the North side of New Pass at the south end of Longboat Key.

GENERAL RULES

The Juniors Suncoast Tarpon Roundup tournament is an individual competition judged by photo releases submitted to the Suncoast Tarpon Roundup. Prizes will be awarded based on the number of tarpon released.

The Juniors Suncoast Tarpon Roundup will begin at 6:00 AM on June 30 and will end at 3:00 PM on July 6. The Junior’s Captains Meeting is mandatory and will be held at Harbor Master Tiki Grill on June 28.

Juniors must be 17 or younger on June 30 to participate in the junior’s tournament.

1. Registration:
   Participants must register and submit their registration fees to the Suncoast Tarpon Roundup on or before the Captain’s meeting.
   
   
2. The Catch:
   Tarpon must be caught on manually operated tackle by one angler. Anglers may only fish up to 8 tarpon rods.
   
   The “Team” on the boat, using prudent judgment, may assist the junior if necessary, keeping in mind that the junior is the one “catching” the fish. The type of assistance that may be given would be removing the rod from the rod holder, adjusting the drag, maneuvering the fish around the motor, anchor rope, and stepping in for an exhausted junior.
   
   
3. The Release:
   A fish shall be considered “released” when the fish is under control boat side and the angler or his/her designee has the leader in hand. Leaders will be no longer than ten feet long.  Fish under 48 inches estimated length are not considered eligible. All tarpon must swim away, no dead tarpon will be entered in the tournament. The time released is the time at which the photo is submitted to the Suncoast Tarpon Roundup.
   
   
4. Submitting to the Suncoast Tarpon Roundup:
   All releases must be submitted to the Suncoast Tarpon Roundup. Photographs must include both the tarpon and the leader in hand. In the event that either object (tarpon or leader in hand) is missing from the photo, it will be rejected. Upon rejection, the angler may have the opportunity to provide video evidence of the release to the board of directors for further evaluation.
   
   
5. Ties:
   In the event of a tie, the last fish released first will be adjudged the winner. The time released is the time at which the photo is submitted to the Suncoast Tarpon Roundup. All releases must be submitted within 1 hour of release.
   
   
6. Prizes:
   First, Second and Third prizes will be awarded to the top three anglers with the most photo releases recorded in iAngler. All prizes and awards will be made available and presented at the end of the tournament (TBD).
   
   
7. The Protest Procedure:
   All trophy recipients may be subject to questioning by the board of directors upon official protests.
   
   
8. Official Protests:
   Any angler wishing to report an infraction of the rules or any act of dishonesty or discourtesy, must do so in writing (email or snail mail) to the Suncoast Tarpon Roundup, Inc. within seven (7) days of the act. Additionally, a $300 deposit must also be submitted with the protest for it to be acted upon. In the event the protest is upheld, the deposit will be returned. If not upheld the deposit will be forfeited. Decision(s) of the Board of Directors as to the interpretation of the rules is final.