Tournament Dates:
Captains Meeting: Thursday, July 17, 6pm-8pm
Fishing Days (Choose 1): Friday, July 18 – Sunday, July 20
Weigh-Ins:
Fri & Sat: 6–8 PM
Sun: 5–7 PM
Awards Ceremony: Sunday, July 20 @ 7:30 PM
💵 Tournament Prize Pool (Main Entry)
Estimated Prize Pool: $20,000 (Based on 50 boats x $400)
🎯 Payout Structure (% Based)
This structure rewards top placements while keeping it competitive for smaller boats:
Placement
% of Prize Pool
Estimated Payout (50 Boats)
1st Place – Heaviest Tuna Overall
40%
$8,000
2nd Place – Heaviest Tuna Overall
20%
$4,000
3rd Place – Heaviest Tuna Overall
10%
$2,000
Heaviest Bluefin
10%
$2,000
Heaviest Yellowfin
10%
$2,000
Heaviest Bigeye
10%
$2,000
💰 Calcuttas (Cash-Only)
Collected at the Captains Meeting – Thursday Night
High Roller Tuna Calcutta – $500
Daily Tuna Calcutta – $300 (payout based on the heaviest tuna caught each day, single entry applied to the day you fish)
Species-Specific Calcuttas:
Bluefin Only – $200
Yellowfin Only – $200
Bigeye Only – $200
Mahi Mahi Calcutta – $100
50/50 Charity Calcutta – $200
(Half goes to charity, half to winner with heaviest Mahi or Tuna depending on entries)Jig and Pop Calcutta - $300 (Payout to the largest Mahi or Tuna caught using an artificial lure being actively fished by an angler. No Trolling, No Bait Fishing)
Teams may enter as many Calcuttas as they choose.
🤝 Sponsorship Opportunities
Support the local fishing community and promote your business!
Title Sponsor – $2,500
Event listed as “Your Company presents...”
Logo on all banners, weigh-in station, website, shirts
Featured social media promotions
Opportunity to speak at Captains Meeting and Awards
Gold Sponsor – $1,000
Logo on banners and weigh-in station
Shout-out on social media and website
Silver Sponsor – $500
Logo on website and mentioned at Captains Meeting
Product Sponsors
Donate gear, tackle, gift cards, or services for raffle/door prizes
Recognized on-site and on social platforms
_____
NJ Fishing Club Summer Tuna Tournament — Official Rules
July 17–20, 2025
Open to Boats 35' and Under Only
1. Eligibility
Open to boats 35 feet and under (manufacturer specs).
Boat length will be verified at registration.
All participants must be registered and paid in full before the Captains Meeting on Thursday, July 17.
2. Entry Fee
$500 per boat
$400 to tournament prize pool
$50 to NJ Fishing Club
$50 to Charity Partner
3. Captains Meeting
Thursday, July 17 at 6:00 PM (Location TBD)
At least one team representative must attend.
All Calcutta entries must be paid in cash at this meeting.
Final rules, fishing day declarations, and weigh-in procedures will be reviewed.
4. Fishing Days
Boats may fish ONE (1) declared day only: Friday (7/18), Saturday (7/19), or Sunday (7/20).
Teams must declare their fishing day by 9:00 PM the night before via text or email.
No declaration = ineligible to fish that day.
5. Fishing Times
Lines in: 5:00 AM
Lines out: 3:00 PM
After lines out, boats must return directly to weigh-in station. 30 minute grace period if you are actively hooked up before 3pm. All fish must be landed and filmed before 3:30pm to qualify.
6. Eligible Species
Bluefin Tuna
Yellowfin Tuna
Bigeye Tuna
Mahi Mahi (Mahi is Calcutta only)
7. Weigh-Ins
Friday & Saturday: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Sunday: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Weigh-In Location: River Rock Marina
Only fish caught on the team’s declared fishing day are eligible.
Fish must be weighed the same day they are caught.
All fish must be brought to weigh-in by boat — no overland transport.
8. Tournament Prizes (Main Pool)
Estimated Prize Pool: $20,000 (Based on 50 boats)
Category
% of Prize Pool
Est. Payout
Heaviest Tuna (any species) – 1st
40%
$8,000
Heaviest Tuna – 2nd
20%
$4,000
Heaviest Tuna – 3rd
10%
$2,000
Heaviest Bluefin
10%
$2,000
Heaviest Yellowfin
10%
$2,000
Heaviest Bigeye
10%
$2,000
✅ Boats may win in multiple categories.
If no qualifying fish are weighed in a category, prize money will be redistributed equally among other qualifying species prize categories.
9. Calcuttas
Cash-only, entered at Captains Meeting.
Each Calcutta is a single-payout pot.
10% retained by NJ Fishing Club / 90% paid out to winner (Cash Payout).
Available Calcuttas:
High Roller Tuna – $500
Daily Tuna (by declared day) – $300
Species-Specific Tuna – $200 each
Bluefin
Yellowfin
Bigeye
Mahi Mahi – $100
Jig & Pop Only (No Trolling/Bait) – $100
50/50 Charity Calcutta – $100
🟡 If no qualifying fish are caught in a Calcutta, prize money will be raffled to all Calcutta entrants in that category at the awards ceremony.
10. Fishing Regulations
IGFA rules apply unless stated otherwise.
Rod and reel only.
No harpoons, electric reels, or nets (except gaffing).
No passing rods after hook-up.
Jig & Pop Calcutta: Fish must be caught by either jigging or popping. No trolling or bait allowed. Compliance is on the honor system but subject to protest.
11. Tie-Breakers
In the event of a tie in fish weight:
The fish weighed earliest wins.
12. Disqualification
Boats may be disqualified for:
Fishing multiple days
Late weigh-in
Violating declared fishing time
Altering fish or unethical conduct
Use of prohibited methods (e.g., electric reels)
No refunds for disqualification.
13. Weather Policy
Captain’s choice: Each boat is responsible for deciding whether conditions are safe to fish.
No refunds for poor weather or missed fishing days.
14. Awards Ceremony
Sunday, July 20 – 7:30 PM
Location: River Rock Marina Bar and Restaurant
Tournament prizes, Calcutta payouts, and raffles will be awarded.
15. Hold Harmless
All entrants agree to participate at their own risk. The NJ Fishing Club, its sponsors, officers, and volunteers are not liable for injury, loss, or damages incurred during the tournament.