Rules & Regulations
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Location
The tournament is restricted to the waters of Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties and boats leaving from and returning to waters between South Santee River and South Edisto River.
Entry Forms
All entries must be on official entry blanks available at all certified weighing stations and mailed to Tournament Headquarters promptly. Anglers (not weight stations) are responsible for submitting entry cards. All entry forms must be postmarked no later than 15 days after weigh-in or release of fish. All October entries from the previous tournament year must be turned in no later than November 10. All entry forms must be completed in full for eligibility. |
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. View Ecology Award point values here.
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. - 20 lb. test line.
- General Tackle - Over 20 lb. test line.
- Fly Rod - 20 lb. test tippet or less.
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Freshwater
- Ultra Light Tackle - 8 lb. test line or less.
- Light Tackle - Over 8 lb. - 14 lb. test line.
- General Tackle - Over 14 lb. test line.
- Fly Rod - 20 lb. test tippet or less.
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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. Anglers are encouraged to enter all eligible fish, as this will count toward selection of outstanding anglers, outstanding boats, and special awards. All Shark and Catfish catches will be judged exclusively for the Outstanding Shark and Outstanding Catfish awards. Shark and Catfish will not be used in judging any other outstanding awards.
Master Anglers
Certificates will be awarded weekly 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
The Charleston Trident Fishing Tournament photo contest is open to all tournament participants. You may enter the contest by submitting any size “sport-fishing” photo or slide, color or black and white, from the tri-county area by email or by mail:
Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission
Attn: CTFT Photo Contest
861 Riverland Drive
Charleston, SC 29412
Photo Contest Prizes
- 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
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