2025 Rules

Registration & Tournament Details

Registration Period: July 28, 2025 – August 10, 2025

Tournament Type: Flounder Only Team Tournament

Tournament Format: 5-day tournament (choose 3 days to fish)

Registration Options: In person at Paradise Marina Building or online at www.flounderpounderde.com

Team Registration Fee: $300/team (July 28 – Aug 3) | $325/team (Aug 4-10)

Individual Angler Fee: $150/angler (July 28 – Aug 3) | $175/angler (Aug 4-10)

Payment: Cash or credit (3.5% fee applies to credit card payments)

Boundary Rules – IMPORTANT

You may ONLY fish within 50 nautical miles from the Indian River Inlet Green Buoy #1.

Fishing is permitted in both Delaware and Federal waters within this boundary.

Any fish caught outside 50 nautical miles will result in immediate disqualification.

Team & Boat Requirements

  • Team Size: Up to 8 registered anglers per boat (including 1 Captain)
  • Registration Rule: Everyone on the boat must be registered – no exceptions!
  • Team Changes: Once an angler is registered, they cannot be removed or replaced
  • Captain Changes: Captains may be switched with another registered angler on the boat (update registration form prior to tournament)
  • Individual Limit: Each angler may only be registered on 1 team

Daily Schedule & Lay Day Rules

  • Tournament Days: Choose any 3 days from the 5-day tournament period
  • Lay Day Check-in: Required before 7:00 AM on days NOT fishing
  • Check-in Options:
    • In person: Paradise Marina Building (6:00 AM – 7:00 AM)
    • Email: Layday@flounderpounderde.com (after 7:00 PM day prior OR before 7:00 AM day of)
  • Email Requirements: Include team number, team name, and type “LAYDAY”
  • Lay Day Fishing: Pleasure fishing only – no tournament fish may be weighed
  • Final Days Exception: No lay day reporting required for final weekend if fishing Wed-Fri

Daily Fishing & Weigh-In Rules

  • Fish Limit: Each captain eligible to weigh 1 flounder per day
  • Same-day Rule: Flounder must be weighed the day it is caught
  • Captain’s Responsibility: Bring the heaviest flounder to weigh-ins
  • Weigh-in Procedure: Only the captain permitted on stage during weigh-in
  • Final Deadline: Must be in Paradise Lagoon Bar by 6:00 PM
  • Measurement Final: Once captain leaves scales, weight and measurement are final

Fishing Method Requirements

  • Equipment: Rod and reel, hook and line only
  • Personal Catch: Must hook, fight, and land your own fish
  • Netting: Another angler may net your fish (no gaffing permitted – must use net)
  • Multiple Rods: Allowed during tournament
  • Legal Compliance: Must comply with all Federal and State of Delaware laws regarding flounder size and limits

Fish Transportation & Flexibility

  • Transportation Options: Once caught, teams may use any means to get fish to scales
  • Permitted Methods: Switching fish to another boat, being towed, or trucking fish to scales
  • Deadline: Must be in Paradise Lagoon Bar by 6:00 PM
  • Fishing Restriction: Once fish is switched, no team member may fish the remainder of that day

Optional Daily Calcutta Division

Entry Fee: $300 (July 28 – Aug 3) | $325 (Aug 4-10) for all 3 fishing days

Eligibility: Open to all registered captains

1st Place Requirement: Fish must weigh minimum 5 pounds to qualify for 1st place prize

Under 5 lbs: Eligible for 2nd – 7th place in Calcutta Division

Scoring & Prizes

  • Winner Determination: By weight (length breaks ties)
  • Tie Rules – Overall Division: Equal weight and length = combined prize with next place down, split between teams
  • Tie Rules – Calcutta Division: Same as overall, except 7th place ties split 7th place prize only
  • 16th Place Tie: Teams split 16th place prize only (no combining down)
  • Prize Eligibility – Overall: Each team eligible for one prize in overall division
  • Prize Eligibility – Calcutta: Each team eligible for one prize per day (3 days) if registered

Tournament Supplies & Requirements

  • T-Shirts: Available at T-shirt shop after captains’ meeting and daily 3-6 PM during tournament
  • T-Shirt Guarantee: Only guaranteed for teams registering July 28 – August 3
  • Delaware License: Required for compliance with state fishing laws

Tournament Integrity & Legal

  • Fish Examination: All fish subject to examination by judges
  • Rule Violations: Result in disqualification
  • Final Authority: Judges’ decisions are final
  • Liability Release: All participants release Paradise Marina from liability for any tournament-related incidents
  • Rule Agreement: Captain certifies all flounder caught will be in accordance with tournament rules

Registration Website

Online Registration: www.flounderpounderde.com

Lay Day Email: Layday@flounderpounderde.com