The following RFFT Rules, as amended August 1, 2026, shall govern the 2026 Roseate Fly Tournament:

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2026 ROSEATE FLY-FISHING TOURNAMENT RULES

TERRITORY, START AND TIME

1. All angler entries are by invitation only.

2. Official Headquarters: Gabriela's Seafood + Tapas

3. Anglers will sign their own name on the ‘Start Ledger’ at Goose Island State Park or Cove Harbor Marina each morning.

4. Anglers may leave Goose Island State Park or Cove Harbor Marina starting at 6:30 AM by GPS or smart watch time, and fishing may begin immediately.

   1. Goose Island – Boats may stage just west of the 1st channel piling.

   2. Cove Harbor – Boats may stage at the mouth of the Cove Harbor entrance into ICW.

5. All boats must depart from and return to Goose Island State Park or Cove Harbor Marina. No trailering to different launch sites is permitted.

6. Captains/Guides are advised that if it appears too dark to leave, they are responsible for the safety of their anglers, themselves and equipment. Any boat without running lights cannot depart the dock until 6:45 AM. Running lights must remain on until 7:00 AM whether running or stationary.

7. Lines out at 3:00 PM. Any fish hooked prior to lines out may be fought until released or lost. Any boat fishing after lines out time must notify the tournament at (979) 709-1085, or relay message through another person is acceptable.

8. All anglers MUST check in at Gabriela's Seafood + Tapas with the scorekeeper by 5:00 PM each day.

9. Inclement weather – start time on any day may be delayed by the chairwoman/guides committee in the event of imminent or dangerous weather. In the event of severe weather, i.e. tropical storm, the tournament committee may shorten the number of tournament fishing days.

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MEASURING AND SCORING

1. Tournament Format – The Roseate Fly Tournament will be a Catch-Photo-Release (CPR) format tournament.

2. Measuring Device – You will be issued a 32” Ketch Karbonate board during check-in for the tournament. The 32” Ketch Karbonate board is the only board that will be allowed to be used in the tournament. All submissions must be made on the 32” Ketch Karbonate board, NO EXCEPTIONS.

3. Tokens – All tournament photo submissions must include the tournament token in the photograph. There will be a different token for each day. Each angler will be given the tokens at tournament check-in, and token will remain unknown until that time. The photo submission must include the token in the photograph. NO EXCEPTIONS.

4. Stringer – The tournament stringer will consist of five (5) redfish total. You may not submit more than three (3) fish in a day.

5. You may submit five (5) fish total over the two days of the tournament, and no more than three (3) on a single day. The tie breaker will be the earliest time at which the longest stringer was reached, i.e. two anglers each have 100”. The angler to have reached 100” the quickest based on score card time will be deemed the winner. Time will be determined by the photo data from the photo confirming length.

6. Angler must circle and initial fish that they are submitting each day on their daily score card.

7. Redfish – Redfish submitted must be at least 20” and 28” maximum length. Any fish exceeding 28” in measurement will not be accepted.

8. Measurement – All measurements must be taken with the belly of the fish to the bottom of the board. In this manner, the measurements will read left to right. The nose of the fish must be butted to the end stop of the board and the TOP TIP OF THE TAIL of the fish must sit COMPLETELY within the black indicator lines on the board. You may pull the top tip of the tail as necessary in order to maintain the top tip of the tail within the black line indicators on the board. Do not cover the eyes or any portion or edge of the tail spot of the fish. A fish with multiple tail spots and fully distinguishable by the judges may be deemed acceptable by the judges. Photos must clearly show proper measurement. Please see photos for proper measurements. Fish will be measured in 1/8” increments. The fish must touch and/or pass the 1/8” increment on the Ketch measuring board to be entered as such. Any fish exceeding 28” in measurement will not be accepted.

9. All judges decisions are final and deemed so when announced by tournament after a final review of all placing fish in awards and/or cash pots. The Tournament Grand Champion shall be the Angler who accumulates the most inches of length during the two days of fishing. In addition, the Tournament may also recognize length totals or fish caught by other finishers in individual awards.

10. The Redfish with the Most Spots will be awarded to the angler with a single fish that has the most spots, calculated by adding spots on both sides of the fish. There must be visible separation of all spots. The fish may or may not be part of your 5 fish stringer. Tie breaker will be based on time caught on score card. This fish must be a slot fish between 20” and 28”.

11. By 5:00 PM each fishing day, the Angler and/or Captain/Guide must submit a signed Catch and Release Form and photos of fish submitted on approved measuring board. If you do not turn in by 5:00 PM, no points will be allowed for that day. Judges may waive this rule for breakdowns or unusual circumstances. Please be in line and checked in by 5:00 PM.

12. The Tournament shall issue each Angler and Captain/Guide a measuring packet including: a Ketch Carbonate 32” measuring board, (2) daily score cards, and (2) daily tokens. Angler or Guide must provide a digital camera.

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PENALTIES

1. Failure to sign in before departure: 10” deduction from total length.

2. Failure to turn in score sheet by 5:00 PM: 10” deduction from total length.

3. Failure of one team member to attend Captains meeting: 10” deduction from total length.

4. Knowingly or willfully violating tournament rules may result in loss of future invitations.

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TACKLE SPECIFICATIONS

1. Only one-handed rods and single action reels designed for fly casting. Butt may not extend more than 4 inches below reel seat. Rod may not be altered after fish is hooked.

2. 20 lb maximum tippet.

3. Only artificial lures with single hook construction are allowed.

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GENERAL RULES​

1. Only fly casting permitted.

2. Angler must cast, set hook, fight, and bring fish to the boat unaided. Any other person touching rod, reel, or line disqualifies entry.

3. Unnecessary handling of fish disqualifies entry.

4. A broken rod above the reel seat does not disqualify entry.

5. No chumming. No fishing in residential canals, behind homes, or marinas for “pet” redfish.

6. You may not fish Gulf passes or jetties in these passes or the beach front. These include Packery Channel, Port Aransas, Cedar Bayou, Pass Cavallo, and Port O'Connor passes/jetties, and any other pass or jetty into the Gulf.

7. Tournament committee may inspect tackle at any time.

8. Attendance at the Angler's Meeting the night of registration and the Awards Dinner is mandatory. Any exception must be approved by the Tournament Chairwoman.

9. Each angler may fish with a TPWD licensed guide, significant other, or friend.

10. All Federal and State rules apply unless superseded by tournament rules.

11. No ladder or heightening device extending more than 4 feet above gunwale.

12. Only poleable flats skiffs allowed; no bay boats, air boats or kayaks.

13. Grievances must be written, signed, and submitted by 5:00 PM same day.

14. In case of tie, earliest scoring event wins.

15. All courtesy and sportsmanship must be observed.

16. First skiff to a spot is entitled to fish it. Saving spots is unsportsmanlike and a rules violation.

17. No scouting by aircraft, drone or other anglers during tournament days.

18. No fishing after lines out except for fish hooked before 3:00 PM.

19. No cell phone use to gather or share fishing information during lines-in hours.

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GOVERNANCE AND DISPUTES

1. Tournament conducted by Chairperson and volunteer committees.

2. Standing committees: Tournament Committee, Arbitration Committee.

3. Kick-Off event and Captains Meeting at 5:30 PM Sunday before tournament.

4. SPORTSMANSHIP – Any angler who displays poor sportsmanship, violates any Tournament Rule(s), or any state or local game laws may be disqualified without refund or recourse. In addition, any act of an angler, verbal or physical, that reflects unfavorably upon Roseate Fly Tournament's effort to promote conservation, fishing, clean waters, courtesy, and safety may be reason for disqualification from this and all future Roseate Fly Tournaments. The Tournament Committee also reserves the right to refuse application of entry, with or without cause, at its sole discretion. Any applicant refused entry shall be entitled to a refund of their entry fee.

5. You must have a valid/current fishing license from Texas Parks and Wildlife to fish in this tournament. Fish this tournament according to the rules enforced by Texas Parks and Wildlife. Citations for not observing these regulations are very expensive. Any team/person receiving a citation during this event will be disqualified.

6. Any angler found to have intentionally cheated in an attempt to defraud the tournament may be subject to criminal prosecution by the State of Texas including misdemeanor and up to a state felony and jail time. Any angler found to have intentionally cheated in an attempt to defraud the tournament will also forfeit any awards and prize money they may have won, and be banned from any future Roseate Fly Tournaments.

7. All anglers and captain/guide MUST ACKNOWLEDGE AND SIGN TOURNAMENT HOLD HARMLESS FORM.