ECSWF 2026 Striped Bass Surf Tournament Rules

This is a catch-and-release Tournament.

All fish must be handled responsibly and released immediately.

1.   Registration Deadlines & Late Entry Policy

Entry Fee: $50.00 per Participant

Standard Registration Deadline: May 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM (EST)

• Late Registration Opens: May 20, 2026

Late Registration Fee: $ 60.00

• Final Late Registration Deadline: June 12, 2026 at 6:00 PM (EST)

• Late Entry Start Rule: All late entrants—regardless of when they register, are eligible to begin fishing the first Monday following their registration at 12:01 AM

Each Participant must provide the following at registration:

• Full Name

• Phone Number

• Team Location

2.   Tournament Dates and Location

All Participants must comply with applicable local, state, and federal fishing regulations. Each Participant bears sole responsibility for knowing and complying with all applicable DEC-mandated size limits, catch limits, and possession limits in effect at the time of tournament.

Tournament Dates:

• Start: May 17, 2026, at 12:01 AM (EST)

• End: July 5, 2026, at 11:59 PM (EST)

Location:

• Atlantic Ocean coastal waters from Maine through Florida.

• All fishing must be conducted from accessible shoreline only.

• Land-based fishing only — no boats, kayaks, or watercraft of any kind are permitted.

3.   Scoring Format

• Leaderboard position is determined by the total cumulative length of three (3) fish.

• The minimum qualifying length is 32 inches.

• Each Participant may submit only one (1) fish per week, whether a new entry or an upgrade.

• Multiple submissions in the same week will not be accepted; only the first valid submission will count.

• A Participant must have three (3) valid fish recorded on the leaderboard before submitting any upgrade.

• Upgrades must be measurably larger than Participant's current smallest registered fish.

4.   Weekly Submission Rules

• Each submission must clearly show the entire fish, the ruler, and the Participant's handwritten ID card.

• The weekly submission deadline is Sunday at 11:59 PM (EST).

• Submission time is determined solely by the timestamp recorded on the official ECSWF submission phone.

• No grace period will be granted for late submissions.

• ECSWF is not responsible for delays in message delivery.

Weekly Code Words

• A new weekly code word will be posted every Sunday by midnight on the ECSWF Instagram page and ECSWF.com for the following week.

• Each code is valid from Monday at 12:01 AM through Sunday at 11:59 PM (EST) of that week only.

• Fish must be submitted during the same week they are caught. Retroactive submissions will not be accepted.

• Each Participant is responsible for obtaining the weekly code and preparing a new ID card accordingly.

• The first code word will be posted on May 16, 2026, and will be valid through May 24, 2026, at 11:59 PM (EST).

5.   Ruler and ID Card Requirements

Any ruler may be used, provided all measurement markings are clearly visible. Larger mat-style rulers are encouraged for improved photo clarity.

Measurement Standards

• The entire fish must be clearly visible on the ruler.

• The fish must be measured with the mouth closed and the tail pinched.

• The fish must lie flat and straight without manipulation.

• Measurement is taken from the tip of the nose to the longest point of the tail.

• If ECSWF Officials cannot clearly determine the measurement, the submission will be rejected.

ID Card Requirements

Each submission must include a handwritten ID card showing:

• Participant Name

• Team Location

• Weekly Code Word

All photos and videos must be clear and legible. No bending, folding, obstructing, or altering of rulers is permitted. Photos must be taken directly above the fish with the ruler fully visible and parallel to the camera frame. Angled or obstructed photos may be rejected at ECSWF's sole discretion.

6.   Tiebreakers

If cumulative total lengths are tied, the following tiebreakers apply in order:

• The Participant with the longest single fish wins.

• If still tied, the Participant whose longest fish was submitted earliest wins, based on the ECSWF submission phone timestamp.

• If still tied, the second-largest fish will determine the winner.

• If still tied, the third-largest fish will determine the winner.

Participants are encouraged to submit well before any deadline.

7.   Disqualification and Conduct

Any of the following will result in immediate disqualification without refund:

• Use of altered or tampered rulers

• Use of altered ID cards

• Submission of manipulated or edited photos or videos

• Any attempt to deceive Tournament Officials

ECSWF Officials may request additional verification at any time, including video, additional photo angles, or clarification. Failure to comply may result in rejection at ECSWF's sole discretion.

All rulings by ECSWF are final and are not subject to appeal.

This is a merit-based Tournament. All Participants are expected to compete with integrity.

8.   Media Rights and Usage

By submitting any photos or videos to ECSWF, each Participant grants ECSWF a perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, edit, and share such content. Submitted media may be used for league promotion, social media, website content, and marketing, without additional compensation. By submitting content, each Participant confirms they are the original creator and have the right to share it. ECSWF may use submitted content across any media platforms.

“We love showcasing your catches and growing the league—by submitting photos, you’re helping us promote the sport and the anglers in it.”

Side Challenges - (if applicable)

• Side challenges will be announced on the ECSWF Instagram page and ECSWF.com throughout the Tournament.

• Each Participant is responsible for monitoring these platforms for updates.

• Side challenge submissions will be accepted only through the link on ECSWF.com.

• Side challenge entries are not to be sent to the Tournament submission phone.

9.   Liability

Participant Eligibility

• All Participants must be 18 years of age or older at the time of registration.

• By registering, each Participant confirms that they are 18 years of age or older.

• • No minors are permitted to participate under any circumstances.

Purpose: East Coast Saltwater Fishing ("ECSWF") was formed solely for the purpose of organizing recreational fishing tournaments that foster community spirit, support conservation, and create lasting memories for Participants of all ages. ECSWF collaborates with local businesses and schools for cross-promotional purposes only, including prizes and marketing support.

Responsibility: ECSWF does not provide, supply, or arrange any equipment, facilities, food, drinks, transportation, or access to fishing locations, nor does ECSWF provide any guidance, instruction, or supervision to Participants. Each Participant is solely responsible for procuring his or her own equipment, selecting a fishing location, and exercising independent judgment throughout the Tournament.

Participant Safety: Each Participant is solely responsible for his or her own personal safety at all times during the Tournament. ECSWF does not supervise, direct, or control Participant conduct while participating in the tournament or in transit to or from any selected fishing location. Each Participant must personally assess local conditions — including weather, water, terrain, and wildlife — and take all necessary precautions to protect themselves and others in their care. ECSWF does not provide or arrange medical personnel, first aid supplies, or emergency medical services at any fishing location. Each Participant affirms that they are at least 18 years of age and legally capable of entering into this agreement. ECSWF does not permit participation by minors under any circumstances.

Regulations: Each Participant must know and comply with all applicable Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) regulations, including size limits, catch limits, and possession limits then in effect; ECSWF makes no representations regarding such regulations, and any failure to comply is the Participant's sole responsibility.

Acknowledgment: By registering for this Tournament, each Participant (and, where applicable, the Participant's parent or legal guardian) acknowledges having read, understood, and voluntarily agreed to be bound by all rules and provisions. By registering, each Participant certifies that all information provided is accurate, including their age eligibility.

By participating, each Participant assumes all risks associated with fishing and related activities, including but not limited to injury, property damage, or death.

ECSWF IS COMMITTED TO FACILITATING A FAIR, COMPETITIVE, AND PROFESSIONALLY MANAGED EVENT. ALL MEASUREMENTS, RULINGS, AND INTERPRETATIONS OF THESE RULES ARE MADE SOLELY BY ECSWF OFFICIALS. ALL DECISIONS ARE FINAL.