OVERVIEW:  The Southern Kingfish Association is considerably lenient in regards to the Angling Rules, especially when compared to the standards set by the International Game Fish Association.  Anglers are not out to set world records in tournament competition, and by allowing certain types of tackle and equipment, we allow them to increase their chances of boating a tournament winning King Mackerel. All SKA anglers should keep in mind that if they are interested in setting a world record, they need to modify their tackle and equipment to conform to IGFA rules. Otherwise, during any SKA sanctioned tournament, the following set of Angling RuIes shall apply to all SKA members.
A. LINE:  Monofilament, multifilament, braided and lead core multifilament lines may be used.  Fluorocarbon line may also be used.  Wire lines are prohibited.

B. LEADER:  The use of a leader is not required, but if one is used it must meet the following specifications:  Single strand, multistrand and braided wire leaders are acceptable.  Fluorocarbon leaders may also be used.  There is no length restriction on the leader or shock leader. There are no requirements on the strength of the leader or shock leader.

C. ROD:  Rods must comply with sporting ethics and customs. Considerable latitude is allowed in the choice of a rod, but rods giving the angler an unfair advantage will be disqualified. The rule is intended to eliminate the use of unconventional rods.  There are no restrictions on the length of the rod or type of material in its manufacture.

D. REELS:  Reels must comply with sporting ethics and customs.  Power driven reels of any kind are prohibited. This includes motor, hydraulic or electrically driven reels and any device which gives the angler an unfair advantage. Special consideration for physically impaired members will be given upon request. This rule does NOT apply to power driven kite reels providing the fishing line is attached via a release clip so the fish is not fought on the power driven reel. It also does NOT apply to power driven downriggers, providing the fishing line is attached via a release clip so the fish is not fought using the power driven downrigger.  Ratchet handle reels are prohibited.  Reels designed to be cranked with both hands at the same time are prohibited.

E. BAIT HOOKS, AND LURES:  Considerable latitude shall be granted concerning bait fishing and the selection of hooks and lures. It is, however, the overall intent of the SKA to prevent any angler from attempting to / or obtaining an unfair advantage over any type of fish, or other anglers. Any angler who uses illegal methods in capturing fish, including bait fish, may be subject to disqualification and/or expulsion by the tournament committee and the SKA.   Bait may be taken by any legal means, including the use of a cast net of legal size.  Artificial lures, skirts and trailing materials may be used in the capture of bait or Kingfish providing such skirt, lure or trailer is attached to a qualified rod, reel and line.  Teasers such as jig heads or skirts may be used in front of live bait rigs or attached to the front of any ribbonfish or eel.  There will be a maximum of five (5) hooks allowed per rig. Each hook may be of a single, double or treble design, but will be limited to five hooks. This is primarily in the case of ribbonfish or silver eels.  Anglers are encouraged to use as few a number of hooks as possible in order to increase the chances of survival for any kings released. This is especially important when pre fishing, where most fish will be released anyway.

F. OTHER EQUIPMENT:  Gaffs and nets used to boat or land a fish must not exceed an overall length of 12 feet. Flying or detachable head gaffs are not allowed. All gaffs must be equipped with a single hook. Harpoon or lance attachments are prohibited.  Floats are prohibited with the exception of any flotation device attached to the line or leader for the sole purpose of regulating the depth of the bait. The flotation device must not in any way hamper the fighting ability of the fish.  Entangling devices, either with or without a hook, are prohibited and may not be used for any purpose including baiting, hooking, fighting or landing the fish.  Outriggers, downriggers, and kites are permitted, providing that the actual fishing line is attached to the device by a snap, clip, rubber band or other release device so the line is released upon the strike and the fish is fought unencumbered on an allowed rod, reel and line.

G. ANGLING REGULATIONS:  A harness may be attached to the rod and reel, but not to a fighting chair. The harness may be replaced or adjusted by a person other than the angler.  The angler may pass the rod to another angler during anytime in the fight and for any reason. This is primarily in the case of junior anglers who may tire easily.  The use of a rod belt or gimbal is allowed. The angling and equipment regulations will apply throughout a sanctioned tournament.

H. ANY OF THE FOLLOWING MAY DISQUALIFY A CATCH:  Failure to comply with any local, state, federal, tournament or SKA angling regulations.  Hand lining or using a handline or rope attached in any manner to the angler’s line or leader for the purpose of holding or lifting a fish.  Shooting, harpooning, or lancing any fish during any stage of the catch.  Using a boat or other device to beach or drive a fish into shallow water in order to deprive the fish of its normal ability to swim.  Intentionally foul hooking a fish.  Using a size or type of bait that is illegal to possess.  Attaching the angler’s line or leader to any part of the boat or other object for the purpose of holding or lifting the fish.  Mutilation of the fish prior to landing or boating the catch, caused by sharks, barracuda, any other fish, mammals, or propellers that hampers the fish’s natural fighting and swimming ability. Injuries caused by line or leader, gaff marks, old healed scars or regeneration deformities are not disqualifying injuries.
I. GENERAL TOURNAMENT RULES:  Any King Mackerel caught and presented at a tournament scale for tournament participation must be fit for human consumption. Please ice your catch. Any fish kept improperly after capture may be disqualified by the weigh master and/or SKA management.  If a tournament does not collect your catch, you are responsible for disposing of same in an appropriate manner. All King Mackerel must be off loaded at the end of each fishing day. Any boat found possessing King Mackerel in weighable condition prior to any check out may be subject to disqualification. In the event of identical weights, the first fish weighed in shall break the tie. In a two day, two fish aggregate event, the tie will be broken on the basis of the team’s largest fish of the two weighed in. In the event that the largest fish tie in weight, the winner will be determined by the first of the largest fish weighed in. No altering of a fish’s weight in any way is allowed, i.e. stuffing the fish, chemical treatment or injection of any substance, etc. No boat shall make landfall, congregate with another boat, and/or pass anything between boats or land after checkout or before weigh in each day. Any boat receiving assistance is disqualified for that day only. Any boat rendering assistance will not be disqualified but notifying the tournament committee, committee boat, or another tournament participant, is recommended. In the event of a no checkout tournament, the above shall apply at the tournament’s designated time for lines in the water. After checkout (or once fishing hours have started in the case of a no-checkout tournament), no boats are to pass, throw, float, airlift or otherwise transfer ANY object to any other boat, whether it be a tow rope, gallon of oil, bait, cigarette lighter, engine parts, tools, etc. during tournament competition hours.
If the boat that received assistance during the day attempts to weigh or weighs in a fish in competition, they are subject to disqualification upon protest by another tournament boat or participant or by SKA staff or management. This form of congregation is reserved for dire emergencies at sea, such as onboard fire, sinking or danger of sinking, medical emergencies, etc. If any team knowingly weighs or attempts to weigh a fish after receiving assistance from any other vessel, then they may be expelled from the SKA by SKA management upon protest from any other team or member.
Law enforcement officials may board tournament vessels without penalty to the team at any time during a tournament. However, receipt of a citation from any law enforcement official during tournament hours will cause that team to be disqualified from that day’s fishing only. SKA officials and/or tournament representatives reserve the right to inspect all boats entered in competition at any time. Any tournament official, tournament sponsor, SKA executive and/or employee entering a tournament, in compliance with the tournament rules and SKA rules, is eligible for any and all prizes. Winning anglers may be requested to submit to and pass a polygraph test and/or sign an affidavit prior to being presented any prize. This must be done in a timely fashion. Failure to submit to a polygraph test automatically revokes all claims to any prizes won. Hooks must be removed from all fish prior to bringing fish to the scales. It is for the safety of the weigh master and fish handlers. It is the weigh master’s discretion whether you need to remove embedded hooks or not before weighing. No fish less than 10 (ten) pounds will count toward a team’s score, regardless of fork length. Such fish may be entered into Divisional tournament competition, provided that they meet the tournament’s minimum size length requirements, but no fish less than 10.00 pounds will be count toward a team’s overall divisional score. All boats are responsible for getting their fish to the weigh station under their own power and on the boat that caught the fish. Transferring fish to another boat for any reason will cause immediate disqualification and/or expulsion from the SKA. Fish must be turned in on the same day they are caught. Fish to be weighed in must be accompanied by a member of the boat’s crew, who will stay with the fish to verify the weight and sign any weigh ticket. Captains and crews are responsible for following any local, state, and federal fishing and boating laws. Tournaments and the SKA reserve the right to refuse entry to any person or persons. Participants in tournaments should scan VHF channeI 16 along with the tournament channel to keep abreast of any marine warnings or dangerous weather conditions. We encourage tournament participants to heed any weather warnings as safety is paramount. Payment of the entry fee into a tournament constitutes a representation by each entrant that they have read and understood the tournament rules and will abide by such rules and the decisions of tournament committees and their directors. All tournaments are captain’s choice events. It is up to the discretion of the participating captain to determine whether their craft is seaworthy for the existing conditions. The captain is responsible for the safety and conduct of their crew both on and off the ocean. In events produced by the SKA, SKA Angling Rules shall apply and the Membership and Code of Conduct Rules shall apply at all times. The SKA Tournament Director has the right to enforce any and all rules and their penalties without a formal written protest from other contestants.
J. PROTESTS: In SKA sanctioned tournaments, the tournament rules concerning protests must be followed by all SKA participants. The decisions of the tournament director(s) and tournament rules committee are final. Should the tournament director or rules committee elect to disqualify a team or fish, the SKA will uphold their ruling without question or hesitation. Based upon the circumstances and severity of the disqualification, SKA management may, at their discretion, choose to disqualify that team for that season, or may even choose to revoke that team’s membership in the organization for a time period of their choice. The SKA will not become involved in tournament protests or disputes at any time. In tournaments run by the SKA, the SKA Angling, Membership, and Code of Conduct Rules shall apply at all times. Tournament protests must be made within one hour after the last fish is weighed in, and must be accompanied by a $200 cash deposit. If the protest is upheld, the deposit will be returned. Otherwise, the deposit becomes property of the SKA. The decision to uphold or deny the protest will be made within one hour after the protest. Any other protest concerning breaches of SKA rules must be made in writing within 24 hours following the alleged infraction or violation of the rules and addressed to the Managing Partner of the SKA. A decision will be made within 24 hours of receipt of the protest by the SKA management, and such decisions shall be final. SKA Management reserves all rights to address any and all situations that may arise at any time during the course of the year.