Rock the Choptank Rules Overview & Information
Captain's Meeting(s) | Kick-Off Parties
October 12, 2023 | 6:00 pm
American Legion
98 Sunburst Hwy
Cambridge, Md 21613
October 15, 2023 | 1:00 pm
Portside Seafood Restaurant
201 Trenton St
Cambridge, MD 21613
Kick-Off Parties/Captain's Meetings will include free giveaways, prizes, music and T-shirt sales.
General Public Invited
If you are unable to join us at one of the Captain's Meetings, then Captain's packages can be picked up October 16-19th at
Bret Dean Agency-Farmer's Insurance
505 Maryland Ave
Cambridge, MD 21613
Payment | Registration
Cash, PayPal, Venmo or Credit Card
3% surcharge
Mastercard, Visa, American Express
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Check
Make payable to Rock the Choptank
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Mail | Drop-Off
Bret Dean Agency-Farmer's Insurance
505 Maryland Ave
Cambridge, MD 21613
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Online
rockthechoptank.com
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Angler Entry Details
Registration/payment deadline is
October 16, 2023 at 5 pm
No Exceptions
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$70 fee per Angler
($73 for XXL and XXXL)
Includes Event T-Shirt and Food Package.
T-Shirt and Food Package will be provided to late registrations/payments should supplies allow.
Calcutta entries are per boat so there is only one fee for each Calcutta selected.
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Kids
15 and under
Any boat fishing with children (15 and under) will be required to enter them into the Kids Calcutta ($25) or as a regular Angler ($70).
Children registered in the Kids Calcutta cannot compete in the overall tournament.
Children registered as regular Anglers are eligible to compete in the overall tournament.
Registration is OPEN.
Prizes
Main Event
Top 15 places win money
Total winnings will be based on total number of registered Anglers.
Last year we paid out over $65,000 in cash and prizes.
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Free Calcutta's
Sponsored by Gootee's Marine
Add to cart when registering if the registered Captain's boat is fishing with one of the specified manufacturers - Key West, May-Craft, G3 or Yamaha.
Early Bird Calcutta
Free
Must register by October 16 to be entered.
Paid Calcutta's
1 to 4 Fish Calcutta's are available at check out or on the official entry form
Event Start/End Time
7:00 am
Lines In
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2:30 pm
Lines Out
2:00 pm
Scales Open
3:30 pm
Deadline for ALL boats to be in line or weighed in
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Boat Numbers
Boat Numbers must be displayed at all times.​
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Fishing Boundary
Fishing will only be allowed in the Choptank River and its tributaries, no farther to the bay then Buoy 10 to Cook's Point, Buoy 10 to Black Walnut Point.
Entry Fee is Per Angler
There is no limit to how many Anglers can fish per boat, but all Anglers fishing MUST be registered and have paid by October 16, 2023.
Any boat fishing with children (15 and under) will be required to enter them into the Kids Calcutta ($25) or as a regular Angler ($70).
Calcutta entry is per boat so only one fee per Calcutta is charged.
Fishing Licenses
All Anglers or Boats must have a valid fishing license or the boat must have a license, follow Maryland rules and all fish must be caught on hook and line.
In an effort to help with conservation, no calling of fish, not even in a live well - boated fish stay boated.
All fish brought to the scale will be marked to keep them from being reused.
Planer Boards
Planer boards are not allowed.
Chartered Boats
Chartered boats are only allowed to keep (1) fish per registered Angler. You may not keep a fish for the mate and captain unless they are registered.
Trolling Rods
A maximum of 10 rods are allowed in the water at any given time
Docking
Docking is available in the designated locations. VIP docking will be provided/reserved for upper level event sponsors.
Qualifying Fish Requirements
All qualifying fish must be brought to the scales by boat. The only exception will be for boats that experience a mechanical failure. The tournament committee must be notified of the mechanical failure. In the event of a mechanical failure and after the committee has been notified, fish can be brought by vehicle or the Angler can switch to another boat.
Weigh In
Weigh in will be at the Long Wharf Park and only at the designated location. Locations will be marked and provided on a map included in the Captain's bag. Boats will enter the scales in a single file line waiting for the boat in front. We can accommodate more than one boat at a time, so watch for the dock handlers. Boats can dock in the marina and bring their fish to the scales but boats at the scales will come first.
Qualifying Entry
Each winning entry will be determined by the weight of (1) fish and each paid angler will be entitled to an entry. Maximum of 4 fish can be weighed in. In the event of a tie, the winner will be decided by the total length of fish weighed then time weighed in. No fish under 19" or over 31" will be weighed.
Tournament Committee
In the event of a mechanical failure or other emergency needs the day of the tournament, the Tournament Committee member(s) can be reached on:
VHF Channel 1
(410) 463-1822
(410) 463-1413
Prize Structure
Top 15 places win money with a guaranteed $15,000* up for grabs.
There are 57 different ways to win money.
19 different boats won money last year.
Weather
Captains, crews, and all Anglers enter and participate in this tournament at their own risk. Captains and crews must make their own judgement whether to fish under the prevailing weather conditions based on the size and seaworthiness of their boat, their seamanship skills and other factors. The Tournament Committee reserves the right to reschedule the tournament in the event of bad weather. Rain date is October 23rd
Suspicious Behavior
Disqualification
If an entry is suspicious in any way, the Tournament Committee will determine the final decision on whether to disqualify an Angler and/or Boat.
This includes any behavior that reflects poorly on the tournament.
The Tournament Committee reserves the right to board any boat for inspection.
Boats are not allowed to pick up any additional anglers or riders during tournament hours. If a angler must be dropped off for an emergency then the tournament committee must be notified before.
Polygraph Test
If the Tournament Committee or any Angler finds doubt in an entry for any reason, a polygraph tester will be available.
In the event polygraph testing is required, the winnings will be held until after the test.
Refunds
If you have to cancel for any reason, partial refunds ($40) will be given for each main entry if cancelled by October 16, 2023.
All Calcutta entries will be refunded.
Risks & Waivers
Tournament participants accept the risks and dangers involved in such activity. They acknowledge that unanticipated and/or unexpected dangers may occur. Participants agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Rock the Choptank Fishing Tournament, it's officers, sponsors, volunteers and employees from any and all liability for any: claim, loss, injury, damage, demands, actions, choices in action, costs, accidents, libel, slander, negligence and/or death suffered by any member, family, crew, boat and/or other persons which may occur during their participation in the Tournament and/or Rock the Choptank sponsored activity.