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It's the same fishing experience — but this time, with a little more room to maneuver on the open water.
With big numbers and now a longer stretch of mileage, the Daily's Old School Kingfish Shootout is stretching its boundaries entering the June 14 start for the fast-growing fishing tournament based in St. Johns County.
But expansion hasn't changed the tournament's commitment to its old-school formula.
"We really focus on the family experience," Old School Kingfish Shootout tournament director Paul Dozier said in a remote interview with the Times-Union.
With entry numbers continuing to climb, Dozier said this year's tournament is lengthening its northern boundary to the St. Simons Island shipping channel in Georgia. The southern boundary now extends to 10 miles south of Ponce Inlet, which is roughly adjacent to New Smyrna Beach.
Dozier said that tournament organizers again expect around 600 boats this year, perhaps more depending on late registrations that can continue through June 13. They've topped the 600 mark in each of the past two years (654 in 2023, 686 in 2024).
That's rapid growth for a tournament that's exploded in popularity during the last five years.
"If the fishing is red-hot, it creates a lot more work for us," he said. "But we've got a well-oiled machine."
Other than the slight expansion of the permitted waters, designed to give anglers more space on the ocean, the familiar rules remain in place.
All boats participating must remain within three nautical miles from the coast, and any fish weighed in must come with a photo of the live fish with the boat's number and visible coastline in the background.
As in past years, captains cannot pen or purchase live bait, although they can catch live bait themselves beginning at 5 a.m. June 14, part of a rules package designed to give smaller boats a chance in the competition.
It's substantial. The captain catching the biggest fish receives a prize package of a 21-foot Yellowfin bay boat, 200-horsepower Yamaha engine and an AmeraTrail trailer, valued at some $125,000.
Last year's top fish was a 43.87-pounder landed aboard Blackfish by captain Marty Snipes and crew.
The second prize is $10,000, with additional prizes following through 25th place. The event also includes prizes for the top 10 in the Lady Angler and top 25 in the Junior Angler divisions.
"The most rewarding thing is seeing the families, the kids and the smiles," Dozier said.
Fishing hours: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 14.
Weigh-in hours: 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. June 14.
Weigh-in location: Vilano Beach Pier.
Captains' meeting: 4 p.m. or 7 p.m. June 13, BoatHouse St. Augustine.
Entry fee: $350 through June 12; late entry fee increases to $400 on June 13.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Old School Kingfish Shootout: 2025 fishing tournament preview
Continue reading...
With big numbers and now a longer stretch of mileage, the Daily's Old School Kingfish Shootout is stretching its boundaries entering the June 14 start for the fast-growing fishing tournament based in St. Johns County.
But expansion hasn't changed the tournament's commitment to its old-school formula.
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"We really focus on the family experience," Old School Kingfish Shootout tournament director Paul Dozier said in a remote interview with the Times-Union.
With entry numbers continuing to climb, Dozier said this year's tournament is lengthening its northern boundary to the St. Simons Island shipping channel in Georgia. The southern boundary now extends to 10 miles south of Ponce Inlet, which is roughly adjacent to New Smyrna Beach.
Dozier said that tournament organizers again expect around 600 boats this year, perhaps more depending on late registrations that can continue through June 13. They've topped the 600 mark in each of the past two years (654 in 2023, 686 in 2024).
That's rapid growth for a tournament that's exploded in popularity during the last five years.
"If the fishing is red-hot, it creates a lot more work for us," he said. "But we've got a well-oiled machine."
What are the Old School Kingfish Shootout rules?
Other than the slight expansion of the permitted waters, designed to give anglers more space on the ocean, the familiar rules remain in place.
All boats participating must remain within three nautical miles from the coast, and any fish weighed in must come with a photo of the live fish with the boat's number and visible coastline in the background.
As in past years, captains cannot pen or purchase live bait, although they can catch live bait themselves beginning at 5 a.m. June 14, part of a rules package designed to give smaller boats a chance in the competition.
What is the grand prize?
It's substantial. The captain catching the biggest fish receives a prize package of a 21-foot Yellowfin bay boat, 200-horsepower Yamaha engine and an AmeraTrail trailer, valued at some $125,000.
Last year's top fish was a 43.87-pounder landed aboard Blackfish by captain Marty Snipes and crew.
The second prize is $10,000, with additional prizes following through 25th place. The event also includes prizes for the top 10 in the Lady Angler and top 25 in the Junior Angler divisions.
"The most rewarding thing is seeing the families, the kids and the smiles," Dozier said.
Daily's Old School Kingfish Shootout fishing tournament: What to know
Fishing hours: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 14.
Weigh-in hours: 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. June 14.
Weigh-in location: Vilano Beach Pier.
Captains' meeting: 4 p.m. or 7 p.m. June 13, BoatHouse St. Augustine.
Entry fee: $350 through June 12; late entry fee increases to $400 on June 13.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Old School Kingfish Shootout: 2025 fishing tournament preview
Continue reading...
