2026 SURFPERCH FISHING CHAMPIONSHIP RULES and REGULATIONS

~ TEAM COMPETITION ~ ONLINE TOURNAMENT ~
December 5 and 6, 2026

This is a TWO-DAY virtual surfperch fishing tournament!

Form a team of TWO people or compete by yourself!

Choose your team name, catch your fish, record your catches on video, and submit your entries online!

Winners will be determined by the TOTAL LENGTH of the FIVE (5) biggest qualifying surfperch submitted by each competitor/team during the two-day tournament.

You do not have to fish on both days. However, you and your teammate may fish on both days to increase your chances of winning!

If you are competing by yourself, please select “ONE COMPETITOR ENTRY” when registering.

LAST DAY TO REGISTER: Saturday, November 28, 2026

GENERAL RULES

1. All participants must have a valid 2026 fishing license if required by the state where they are fishing. Participants must follow all applicable state and local fishing regulations.For California fishing license information, visit California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
   
2. Participants under 18 years old must have permission from a parent or legal guardian and appropriate adult supervision. A parent or legal guardian must sign the required waiver before the tournament.
   
3. All participants must follow the fishing laws and regulations of the state and location where they are fishing.
   
4. Teams may have a maximum of TWO (2) competitors. Participants may also compete individually.
   
5. Participants may fish at any permitted surf fishing location, provided they follow all applicable fishing regulations and tournament location restrictions.
   
6. All participants are required to attend the VIRTUAL ORIENTATION on Tuesday, December 1, 2026, at 9:00 PM PST via Zoom.The Zoom invitation will be emailed to the lead registrant one day before orientation. Team leaders are responsible for sharing the meeting information with their teammates.
   
7. All fish must be caught using a fishing rod and reel with bait or artificial lures. Each competitor may use only ONE (1) designated fishing rod and reel at a time.

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QUALIFYING FISH

Only the following surfperch species qualify:

• Barred Surfperch
• Redtail Surfperch
• Calico Surfperch
• Silver Surfperch
• Walleye Surfperch
• Rainbow Surfperch
• Striped Surfperch
• Rubberlip Seaperch

MINIMUM QUALIFYING SIZE: 12 INCHES

All fish must be measured and recorded according to the official tournament requirements.

DAILY FISHING CODE

1. The official FISHING CODE will be posted at morethanfishing.net at 7:00 AM PST on each tournament day.
   
2. A different fishing code will be issued on December 5 and December 6, 2026.
   
3. Competitors must clearly say the correct fishing code in their video submissions.
   
4. The fishing code will be used to help verify the date of each catch.
   
5. Videos using the wrong fishing code or a code from a previous tournament day will be disqualified.

VIDEO SUBMISSION DEADLINE

1. All qualifying catch videos must be uploaded through the official submission link at morethanfishing.net on the SAME DAY (by 6:00pm) the fish were caught.
2. Videos from a previous tournament day will not be accepted.
3. Video submissions open daily at 7:00 AM PST.
4. The daily submission deadline is 6:00 PM PST on December 5 and December 6, 2026.
5. No entries will be accepted after 6:00 PM PST.
6. Competitors are responsible for ensuring their videos are successfully uploaded before the deadline.

FISHING LOCATIONS AND TEAM PARTICIPATION

1. Competitors are not required to fish on both tournament days.
   
2. Teammates may fish at different locations and at different times. For example, one teammate may fish in California while the other fishes in Oregon.
   
3. All fishing locations must comply with applicable state and local regulations.
   
4. Fish caught from inland waterways, jetties, piers, or other structures excluded under the tournament rules will not qualify.
   
5. Only eligible surfperch caught from permitted surf fishing locations will be accepted.

SCORING AND WINNER SELECTION

1. Winners will be determined by the TOTAL LENGTH of the FIVE (5) biggest qualifying surfperch submitted by each competitor/team during the two-day tournament.
   
2. Each competitor/team may count a maximum of FIVE (5) fish toward their final score, regardless of how many fish each teammate catches.
   
3. Competitors/teams may submit additional qualifying catches during the tournament to improve their five-fish total.
   
4. Only the five biggest accepted fish will count toward the final score.
   
5. Competitors/teams with fewer than five qualifying fish may still compete and win based on their total qualifying length.
   
6. All qualifying catches from December 5 and December 6 will be combined to determine the final results.
   
7. The competitor/team with the highest total length will be declared the winner of the 2026 More Than Fishing Team Surfperch Fishing Championship.
   
8. The leaderboard will be posted on morethanfishing.net by the end of each tournament day.
   
9. Final results are subject to verification by the tournament judge(s).

JUDGING AND DISQUALIFICATION

1. All decisions made by the tournament judge(s) are final.
   
2. Judge(s) reserve the right to review submitted videos, verify measurements, and disqualify entries that do not meet tournament requirements.
   
3. Entries containing false information, altered measurements, fraudulent videos, or violations of tournament rules will be disqualified.
   
4. Competitors must follow all official tournament instructions and requirements.

PRIZES

For team entries, teammates are responsible for deciding how to divide their prize items or money.

REGISTRATION AND CANCELLATION

All tournament registration purchases are final and non-refundable, except where required by applicable law.

Participants who withdraw, fail to participate, or are disqualified for violating tournament rules will not receive a refund.

SPORTSMANSHIP AND CONDUCT

All competitors are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful, professional, and courteous manner.

Cheating, dishonesty, unsportsmanlike conduct, harassment, or violations of tournament rules will not be tolerated.

Any competitor who violates these rules may be disqualified and may be prohibited from participating in future More Than Fishing events.

ASSUMPTION OF RISK AND LIABILITY

Participation in fishing tournaments involves inherent risks, including dangerous surf conditions, strong currents, slippery rocks, falls, drowning, serious injury, and death.

Competitors are responsible for their own safety, fishing locations, equipment, and compliance with applicable laws.

By registering, participants acknowledge that they have read and agree to the More Than Fishing Championship Terms and Conditions, Official Rules and Regulations, and applicable Assumption of Risk and Waiver of Liability.

All participants must accept the required waiver before competing.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, participants agree to the release and indemnification provisions contained in the tournament’s applicable agreements.

By registering to the 2026 MTF TEAM Surf Perch Fishing Championship, you agree to indemnify and defend More Than Fishing^®, its owner and/or volunteers against all claims, causes of action, damages, judgments, costs or expenses, including attorney fees and other litigation costs which may, in any way, arise from your  participation in the More Than Fishing^® Tournament.