2025 Exotic Bass Roundup April 26th
Exotic Bass Roundup Entry
Includes:
- Tournament Entry
- Goodie Bag
- Lunch and Refreshments
- Free Tournament Shirt made by SA Co. if registering by March 15th, 2025
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Congrats To All The Winners of the 2024 Exotic Bass Roundup!
1st - Brian Nelli 10.56lbs / 2k from Nautical Ventures & custom Peacock Bass wood trophy from Powercore Rods
2nd - Matthew Cavalieri 8.9lbs / 1k Nautical Ventures & custom wood Clownfish trophy from Powercore Rods
3rd - Brad Leitch 6.86lbs / $500 from NV & custom wood trophy from Powercore Rods
4th - Bobby Buzaki 6.64lbs / $250 NV / Johnny Jigs & Knight Sabre Drave USA spinning rod
5th - Vincent Zambito 6.11lbs / $150 Tsunami Tackle
Kenton Powell 6.4lbs / Drave USA Snakehead Calcutta $525
Ryan Brunson 5.12lbs / Junior Division winner, $200 Aces Bait and Tackle gift card & YETI Rambler
Jill Rojas 5.3lbs / Ladies Division winner Girls Fish Better custom Powercore Rods
2nd - Matthew Cavalieri 8.9lbs / 1k Nautical Ventures & custom wood Clownfish trophy from Powercore Rods
3rd - Brad Leitch 6.86lbs / $500 from NV & custom wood trophy from Powercore Rods
4th - Bobby Buzaki 6.64lbs / $250 NV / Johnny Jigs & Knight Sabre Drave USA spinning rod
5th - Vincent Zambito 6.11lbs / $150 Tsunami Tackle
Kenton Powell 6.4lbs / Drave USA Snakehead Calcutta $525
Ryan Brunson 5.12lbs / Junior Division winner, $200 Aces Bait and Tackle gift card & YETI Rambler
Jill Rojas 5.3lbs / Ladies Division winner Girls Fish Better custom Powercore Rods
For rules & more scroll down
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2023 "EXOTIC BASS ROUNDUP" WINNERS
This years EKFT Exotic Bass Roundup was a total BLAST from start to finish with great fishing, great people and some awesome surprises! A huge THANK YOU to all our volunteers, help boats and sponsors for making this event a success! Angela Roles won the 2023 Exotic Bass Roundup with a total weight of 8lbs!
Angela is the second female angler to win the #exoticbassroundup in the three years it has been put on.
Angela is the second female angler to win the #exoticbassroundup in the three years it has been put on.
Angela Delaney-Roles: 3.5lb peacock bass and 4.5lb clown knifefish totalling 8lbs.
Angela is the second female angler to win the Exotic Bass Roundup in the three years it has been put on. She took home $2,500.00 from Nautical Ventures & a custom driftwood peacock bass trophy made by Powercore Rods.
Brad Leitch: 6.2lb Clown Knifefish.
Brad won a Simrad Yachting NXS 3007 7” Unit worth $1,049.00 and a custom driftwood Clown Knifefish trophy made by Powercore Rods.
Mark Peterson: 6.06lb Clown Knifefish.
Mark took home $500.00 from Powercore Rods.
Matt Cavalieri: 5.48lb Clown Knifefish winning $250.00 from Nautical Ventures.
John Wilkins: 4.86lb Clown Knifefish taking home $200.00 from PROYAKER.
Hannah Ditzler won the Nautical Ventures #sunshinebass division winning $250.00.
Angela Roles not only won first place but she also won the Girls Fish Better Lady’s Division taking home a “Obsession Freshwater Series” Custom Rod.
Matt Cavalieri won the $200.00 Ace's Bait Tackle Snakehead Division.
Angela is the second female angler to win the Exotic Bass Roundup in the three years it has been put on. She took home $2,500.00 from Nautical Ventures & a custom driftwood peacock bass trophy made by Powercore Rods.
Brad Leitch: 6.2lb Clown Knifefish.
Brad won a Simrad Yachting NXS 3007 7” Unit worth $1,049.00 and a custom driftwood Clown Knifefish trophy made by Powercore Rods.
Mark Peterson: 6.06lb Clown Knifefish.
Mark took home $500.00 from Powercore Rods.
Matt Cavalieri: 5.48lb Clown Knifefish winning $250.00 from Nautical Ventures.
John Wilkins: 4.86lb Clown Knifefish taking home $200.00 from PROYAKER.
Hannah Ditzler won the Nautical Ventures #sunshinebass division winning $250.00.
Angela Roles not only won first place but she also won the Girls Fish Better Lady’s Division taking home a “Obsession Freshwater Series” Custom Rod.
Matt Cavalieri won the $200.00 Ace's Bait Tackle Snakehead Division.
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2022 "Exotic Bass Roundup" WINNERS
Congratulations
to all the winners of the 2022 EKFT Exotic Bass Roundup! This event saw the most kids Extreme kayak fishing Inc. has ever had. It’s always great to have the future generation involved. Special thanks to Locked N Loaded Fishing,
South Florida Fishing Charters, Schuyler Caffrey (Nautical Ventures), EKFT Team members Jimmy Olson, Kirk Escuage & Marco Lasprilla. Sponsors on site, Powercore Custom Rods, SA Company, YETI, Crown Wine Spirits, ProYaker, Jersey Mikes Subs, FishBrain, EKFT Camera man Jorge Bustamante & all our volunteers and sponsors!
Winners:
First Place: Garrett Myers Total weight - 8.15lbs. peacockbass 3.9lbs, clownknifefish 4.25lbs. $2,500.00 Nautical Ventures, Powercore Rods LLC peacock skin custom rod.
Second Place: Nick Brent Triolo 6.98lbs Clown Knifefish. $1,000.00 Crown Wine & Spirits
Third Place: Nick Young 6.5lbs Clown Knifefish. $500.00 Fishbrain
Fourth Place: Angela Delaney-Roles 5.75lbs Clown Knifefish. $250.00 Nautical Ventures
Fifth Place: Howard Kirk 5.66lbs Clown Knifefish. PROYAKER Fish Bag
Divisions:
Sunshine Bass Nautical Ventures Division: Tyler Nekolny 3lbs $250.00
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Ladies Division: Angela Delaney 5.75lbs Clown Knifefish. Warren Page Powercore Custom Rod
to all the winners of the 2022 EKFT Exotic Bass Roundup! This event saw the most kids Extreme kayak fishing Inc. has ever had. It’s always great to have the future generation involved. Special thanks to Locked N Loaded Fishing,
South Florida Fishing Charters, Schuyler Caffrey (Nautical Ventures), EKFT Team members Jimmy Olson, Kirk Escuage & Marco Lasprilla. Sponsors on site, Powercore Custom Rods, SA Company, YETI, Crown Wine Spirits, ProYaker, Jersey Mikes Subs, FishBrain, EKFT Camera man Jorge Bustamante & all our volunteers and sponsors!
Winners:
First Place: Garrett Myers Total weight - 8.15lbs. peacockbass 3.9lbs, clownknifefish 4.25lbs. $2,500.00 Nautical Ventures, Powercore Rods LLC peacock skin custom rod.
Second Place: Nick Brent Triolo 6.98lbs Clown Knifefish. $1,000.00 Crown Wine & Spirits
Third Place: Nick Young 6.5lbs Clown Knifefish. $500.00 Fishbrain
Fourth Place: Angela Delaney-Roles 5.75lbs Clown Knifefish. $250.00 Nautical Ventures
Fifth Place: Howard Kirk 5.66lbs Clown Knifefish. PROYAKER Fish Bag
Divisions:
Sunshine Bass Nautical Ventures Division: Tyler Nekolny 3lbs $250.00
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Ladies Division: Angela Delaney 5.75lbs Clown Knifefish. Warren Page Powercore Custom Rod
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2021 "EXOTIC BASS ROUNDUP" WINNERS
WINNERS:
1st - Julie Garber 4.11 lbs. $2,000.00 (Nautical Ventures) (Turbo USA)
2nd - Auriel Leyes 3.95lbs. $1,000.00 (YakGear)
3rd - Daniel Stein 3.9 lbs. $500.00 (YakGear)
4th - Cristobal Colon 3.4 lbs. $250.00 (YakGear)
5th - Heynar Mejia 3.2 lbs. $125.00 (YakGear)
6th - Stephen Klein 3.1 lbs. Proyaker Fish Bag
Clown Knifefish Division:
1st - Tyler Drew $500.00 (Nautical Ventures)
2nd - Jesus Gonzalez $250
3rd - Jon Venarchick $150
Ladies Division:
Biggest Peacock – Julie Garber with 4.11 lbs. Custom Exotic Bass Roundup Rod made by Powercore Rods
Junior Division:
Biggest Peacock – Jack O’Donnel 3.0 lbs. Custom Exotic Bass Chupacabra Rod made by Powercore Rods
1st - Julie Garber 4.11 lbs. $2,000.00 (Nautical Ventures) (Turbo USA)
2nd - Auriel Leyes 3.95lbs. $1,000.00 (YakGear)
3rd - Daniel Stein 3.9 lbs. $500.00 (YakGear)
4th - Cristobal Colon 3.4 lbs. $250.00 (YakGear)
5th - Heynar Mejia 3.2 lbs. $125.00 (YakGear)
6th - Stephen Klein 3.1 lbs. Proyaker Fish Bag
Clown Knifefish Division:
1st - Tyler Drew $500.00 (Nautical Ventures)
2nd - Jesus Gonzalez $250
3rd - Jon Venarchick $150
Ladies Division:
Biggest Peacock – Julie Garber with 4.11 lbs. Custom Exotic Bass Roundup Rod made by Powercore Rods
Junior Division:
Biggest Peacock – Jack O’Donnel 3.0 lbs. Custom Exotic Bass Chupacabra Rod made by Powercore Rods
2021 "Exotic BasS Roundup" Gallery
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2024 Exotic Bass Roundup Updated Rules
HOW TO REGISTER?
Registration is easy on your computer, tablet or smart phone.
Anglers can register for a single event or all events. Just click Buy Now. That angler will be automatically logged into our data base and receive emails regarding event information two weeks prior to event date.
All content included on this site, such as text, graphics, logos, button icons, images, audio clips, digital downloads, data compilations, and software, is the property of Extreme Kayak Fishing.com or its content suppliers and protected by international copyright laws. The compilation of all content on this site is the exclusive property of Extreme Kayak Fishing.com, with copyright authorship for this collection by Extreme Kayak Fishing.com, and protected by international copyright laws.
Unless otherwise provided for herein, the following rules shall apply to all kayak fishing tournament (“EKFT”) events. These rules may be changed by EKFT AT ANY TIME. Notice of updates to tournament rules shall be published on the EKFT website at www.extremekayakfishingtournament.org.
Interpretation and enforcement of these rules shall be left exclusively to the Tournament Director or his/her designee at a tournament. In the event of a rule violation, the Tournament Director or a rules committee may impose such sanctions as deemed appropriate by them, including without limitation, disqualification, forfeiture of prizes, entry fee and prohibition from participation in future EKFT tournaments. Subject to the protest and appeal process set forth in SECTION 10, the decision of the Tournament Director, his/her designee, or the rules committee, shall be final in all matters.
BY REGISTERING TO PARTICIPATE IN AN EKFT EVENT, ANGLERS CERTIFY THAT THEY HAVE READ THE TOURNAMENT RULES AND SHALL ABIDE BY THEM.
Registration is easy on your computer, tablet or smart phone.
Anglers can register for a single event or all events. Just click Buy Now. That angler will be automatically logged into our data base and receive emails regarding event information two weeks prior to event date.
All content included on this site, such as text, graphics, logos, button icons, images, audio clips, digital downloads, data compilations, and software, is the property of Extreme Kayak Fishing.com or its content suppliers and protected by international copyright laws. The compilation of all content on this site is the exclusive property of Extreme Kayak Fishing.com, with copyright authorship for this collection by Extreme Kayak Fishing.com, and protected by international copyright laws.
Unless otherwise provided for herein, the following rules shall apply to all kayak fishing tournament (“EKFT”) events. These rules may be changed by EKFT AT ANY TIME. Notice of updates to tournament rules shall be published on the EKFT website at www.extremekayakfishingtournament.org.
Interpretation and enforcement of these rules shall be left exclusively to the Tournament Director or his/her designee at a tournament. In the event of a rule violation, the Tournament Director or a rules committee may impose such sanctions as deemed appropriate by them, including without limitation, disqualification, forfeiture of prizes, entry fee and prohibition from participation in future EKFT tournaments. Subject to the protest and appeal process set forth in SECTION 10, the decision of the Tournament Director, his/her designee, or the rules committee, shall be final in all matters.
BY REGISTERING TO PARTICIPATE IN AN EKFT EVENT, ANGLERS CERTIFY THAT THEY HAVE READ THE TOURNAMENT RULES AND SHALL ABIDE BY THEM.
ACTION AGAINST AMBUSH MARKETING
Ambush marketing or ambush advertising is a marketing strategy in which an advertiser "ambushes" an event to compete for exposure against competing advertisers. The term "ambush marketing" was coined by marketing strategist Jerry Welsh. Most forms of ambush marketing capitalize on the prominence of a major event through marketing campaigns that associate an advertiser with it, but without actually having paid sponsorship fees to the event's organizer to identify themselves as an "official" partner or sponsor.
Action against ambush marketing is most common in sport; the practice has been a growing concern to the organizers of events. Over the last few years EKFT has been subject to excessive ambush marketing and has come together with our sponsors & team to put a stop to it! EKFT will now blur out and or photoshop certain companies that are in photos and video media & not part of the EKFT events. EKFT will also have team members monitoring each event for companies trying to promote their brand without being affiliated with EKFT.
For questions please email [email protected]
Ambush marketing or ambush advertising is a marketing strategy in which an advertiser "ambushes" an event to compete for exposure against competing advertisers. The term "ambush marketing" was coined by marketing strategist Jerry Welsh. Most forms of ambush marketing capitalize on the prominence of a major event through marketing campaigns that associate an advertiser with it, but without actually having paid sponsorship fees to the event's organizer to identify themselves as an "official" partner or sponsor.
Action against ambush marketing is most common in sport; the practice has been a growing concern to the organizers of events. Over the last few years EKFT has been subject to excessive ambush marketing and has come together with our sponsors & team to put a stop to it! EKFT will now blur out and or photoshop certain companies that are in photos and video media & not part of the EKFT events. EKFT will also have team members monitoring each event for companies trying to promote their brand without being affiliated with EKFT.
For questions please email [email protected]
1) REGISTRATION AND ELIGIBILITY
Participation in EKFT tournament events is open to all anglers possessing a kayak & or a SUP. All anglers must pay the registration fee, complete an entry form and receive a ID number and wrist band.
Every angler over 16 years of age must possess a valid Florida Freshwater Fishing License by law. All prize winners may be asked to produce a valid license prior to receiving any award. All local, State, U.S. Coast Guard, Parks & Wildlife, and federal boating and fishing regulations shall apply at all times.
Each participant shall pay an entry fee of $125 for a one-day entry (hereinafter “Entry Fee”) to participate in the Event. The Entry Fee shall be paid (in full) prior to participation in the Event. There will be no refunds of the Entry Fee
2) SIGN IN AND SHOOT OFF
All anglers MUST sign in and out on tournament day.
Shoot off shall take place at Lake Ida Park between 8 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. (Exact time will be given at the kickoff party).
All angler must be back at Lake Ida Park (Launch location) by 2pm sharp.
Anglers not back in time will be deemed late and their fish will not count.
All fish must be caught on and within the official designated Event waters during official Event hours.
3) SPORTSMANSHIP
All anglers are expected to follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy, safety, and conservation. Any angler who displays poor sportsmanship, violates these rules, or any state or local laws, or brings unfavorable publicity to the sport of extreme kayak fishing will be disqualified and may be disqualified from participating in future tournament events.
Specifically, the use of obscene language or gestures is strictly forbidden at any time prior to, during, or after the event. This includes the use of obscene language over the tournament channel. Any infraction of these fundamental sporting principles may be deemed cause for disqualification or other penalty. Maximum courtesy must be practiced at all times, especially with regard to angling in the vicinity of non-competitors who may be on tournament waters.
Any act or inflammatory statement by any contestant that, in the opinion of the Tournament Director, is detrimental to the operation of tournament, damaging to organized extreme kayak fishing, to EKFT, or any of its sponsors, permitting agencies or their officers, including Coast Guard inspectors, during or after the tournaments may result in temporary or permanent suspension and disqualification from all future EKFT tournaments.
EKFT reserves the right to reject any angler’s registration at anytime.
EKFT reserves the right to refuse service to anyone.
4) GENERAL RULES
* Kayaks shall not have motors of any kind.
* Every angler must use a rod and reel to catch all fish in the tournament.
* No electric reels.
* No long lining from the kayak.
* No assistance from a boat, unless otherwise provided for in the tournament rules.
* No sharing rods.
* No splitting the winnings with another angler by sharing his or her fish.
* No diving from your kayak to spear a fish.
* Angler cannot buy a fish.
* Boats CANNOT chum for any kayak angler during the tournament.
* Anglers may not pass rods to fellow kayak anglers once a fish has been hooked. A fish considered hooked once a strike occurs and the drag is engaging or the bail is closed.
* Anglers must stay in their kayak the whole tournament once the morning shoot-off has commenced.
The following items are mandatory safety equipment for each kayak:
* Personal Flotation Devices (PFDS)
* Visual Distress Signals (Flag)
* Sounds Producing Device (bell, horn, whistle, etc.)
* Every angler MUST have a VHF radio. (Communication is imperative in this tournament.)
5) FLORIDA FISH ELIGIBILITY AND WEIGH IN
Unless otherwise provided in the tournament rules, the following fish are the only species eligible for the Main Total Weight prizes in the EKFT Exotic Bass Roundup Tournament:
TWO Peacock Bass & One Clown Knifefish. Total weight of both fish wins top prize. $2,000 from Nautical Ventures
Peacock Bass & Clown Knifefish MUST be 3lbs and up to be eligible for weigh-in or for the tournament & boats to even accept the fish.
In addition to its main tournament prizes, EKFT’s tournament series also includes the following divisions:
Snakehead Calcutta: Single heaviest Snakehead wins Calcutta. Snakehead's are NOT eligible for the main prize. Snakeheads are now eligible for cull boat to transport as long as that fish is deemed healthy & large enough.
(Snakehead's will now be catch & release just like all other fish in this event) $25 to enter.
NV Sunshine Bass Division: Single heaviest Sunshine bass wins division. Sunshine bass are NOT eligible for the main prize. Division included with entry. Sunshine Bass must be 1lb and up.
Jaguar Cichlid Division: Single heaviest Jaguar Cichlid wins division. Free entry into ANY EKFT event. Jaguar Cichlid are NOT eligible for the main prize & must be 1lb and up.
Redtail Catfish Division: Single heaviest Redtail wins division. Redtail must be 10lbs and up. $1,000.00 Turbo USA
Junior Division: Heaviest total weight of TWO Peacock Bass/ One Clown Knifefish. $200.00 Gift Card Aces Bait & Tackle YETI Rambler 1/2 gallon.
Womans Division: Heaviest total weight of TWO Peacock Bass/ One Clown Knifefish.
Aside from the Womans & Junior Division's only one fish species per division is permitted per participant to weigh in for calcutta's & divisions.
Grand Prize is HEAVIEST TOTAL WEIGHT OF TWO PEACOCK BASS & ONE CLOWN KNIFEFISH COMBINED.
(Three Total Fish)
In the event of a tie in overall weight, the angler that gets his or her fish weighed FIRST wins the tie breaker.
Go to http://myfwc.com/fishing/ For all Florida fish laws, which every angler MUST follow at each tournament.
6) CULLING SYSTEM
EKFT will provide multiple culling boats with adequate livewell space for transporting angler's catches to the holding tank, located at the launch/weigh-in area at Lake Ida Park. Each cull boat will have an on board EKFT judge. It is the sole discretion of the appointed judge to determine whether or not the angler's fish is eligible for weigh-in. An eligible fish must be at or larger than 3lbs. and larger than the smallest fish in that cull boat's livewell. The smallest fish on board that culling boat will then be released, and the angler will be notified via VHF radio or phone call.
Example: Anglers a, b, c, d, e, f all have fish in a holding skiff. Angler now brings in a 6th Peacock Bass fish for that cull boat. The judge will determine, on the spot, which is the smallest fish, and that fish will be released. Judges will use a culling beam. The culling boats will hold/transport no more than 6 fish at a time.
The 12 (6 fish each, Peacock Bass / Clown Knifefish) total fish culling boat limit is set in place to ensure the safety of each fish.
EKFT will only hold the largest 12 fish (6 fish each) that are eligible for main prizes!
Peacock Bass MUST be 3lbs and up for the tournament to receive the fish.
EKFT culling boats and holding tank judges will take all precautions needed to insure the safe care of each angler's fish. In the event of a fish's death, it will not be eligible for weigh-in. Even if the death occurred while the fish was in the care of EKFT personnel.
Anglers can chose to keep fish alive under their own supervision, or chose to drop the fish off at the culling boat. NOTE: Culling boat will determine the health of the fish and if it's deemed healthy enough to hold. In the event that the fish dies on the boat it will not be accepted to weigh in, and EKFT will not be responsible.
The weigh-in station will have a 500-gallon holding tank. Once a fish has been transferred from a culling boat, to the holding tank, that angler is no longer permitted to turn in the same species of Peacock Bass or Clown Knifefish that was put into the main tournament tank. Only ONE fish of each species is permitted.
To be clear, anglers are only allowed to weigh TWO Peacock Bass & ONE Clown Knifefish, with the tournament only holding the 12 heaviest fish that are eligible for prizes.
Communication for culling is key to having a successful event. It is entirely up to the angler to insure that his or her VHF radio and/or cell phone are in good working order. This is how an angler will be reached to be informed of his or her catch's release before making it into the holding tank. If an anglers fish has been released by the holding boat or the tournament committee because the peacock was knocked out of 6th place than that angler can keep fishing after being notified by the tournament.
Peacock Bass must be weighed-in by the participant who originally caught the bass or any of the eligible fish in the event & the fish must be caught on the kayak during the tournament hours.
(The only exception to this rule would be if one of the tournament participants is disabled, in this case we will allow another participant to bring the fish to the scales for the disabled angler.)
Every effort must be made to keep Peacock Bass alive including proper livewell aeration, treatment and temperature management.
Anglers CANNOT not weigh-in a dead fish, even if it happened while being transported on a EKFT holding skiff.
7) BAIT
Anglers may use any source of bait they choose.
Live bait and artificial baits are acceptable.
EKFT does not provide live bait for any Florida tournaments.
Live chumming is allowed from an anglers kayak.
8) ANGLER ASSISTANCE
If angler has to be helped to shore or is caught fishing on shore & not the kayak or paddle board then that angler is disqualified. No angler can be helped back to the launch point from any motor of any kind (trucks, cars, boats, kayaks etc...) All anglers must return to launch point under his or her own power.
9) TANDEM KAYAKS
Tandem kayaks are allowed, BUT each angler is competing against one another & each angler must pay an entry fee. Anglers cannot pass rods to the fellow kayak angler once a fish has been hooked. A fish considered hooked once a strike occurs and the drag is engaging or the bail is closed. Anglers cannot help one another in any way! The winning angler is subject to a polygraph test.
10) PROTEST AND APPEAL
All protests must be submitted in writing to the Rules Committee on the day of the alleged violation by 3pm with a deposit of $100.00. If the alleged violation is found to have occurred, the deposit of $100.00 will be refunded. If the Rules Committee finds no violation, the deposit will not be refunded. The decision of the Rules Committee will be final. If an angler is caught protesting during the tournament without following the process set forth herein, that angler may be banned from every EKFT tournament event for life.
11) TOURNAMENT DISCRETION
EKFT’s tournament director reserves the right to implement his or her discretion at any time during the tournament as it may apply to the rules or any other circumstance that should arise during the course of the event. Unless otherwise provided for in the tournament rules, decisions and interpretations of the tournament director shall be final.
12) POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION
By entering the tournament all anglers voluntarily consent to submit to a polygraph examination as deemed necessary by tournament officials. Any angler of a registered kayak who refuses to take a polygraph or provides untruthful answers as determined by the examiner will be disqualified from the tournament without further notice. Such a disqualification will eliminate payment or provision of any prize money, awards, and/or refund of entrance fees. Anglers requested to take a polygraph examination shall be responsible to pay all costs incurred.
13) TOURNAMENT CANCELLATION, ENTRY
EKFT reserves the right to cancel and/or reschedule any tournament events. In case of bad weather (lightning / thunder storms), the Tournament Committee will reschedule the event at a different date. Any schedule adjustment due to inclement weather will be made at the sole discretion of the tournament committee. No refunds will be made in the event of cancellation. There are NO refunds once an angler is registered (signed up). NO transferring funds from one event to another. The only exception is if an angler gets deployed to the military and proof is provided.
14) RELEASE AND HOLD HARMLESS
It is expressly understood that all registered participants of EKFT tournament events participate voluntarily and at their own risk. Each registered participant, on behalf of other family members and/or executors, agrees to release and hold harmless Extreme Kayak Fishing Tournament, its agents, employees, tournament officials, sponsors, and all other persons connected directly or indirectly with operation of said tournament from any and all liability for libel, slander, loss, damage, negligence, harm, injury, or death suffered by any participant, entrant, sport-fishermen, their companions, vessels or their equipment during the tournament.
15) TAXES
Anglers are responsible to pay all taxes on both cash and merchandise awards where and when applicable. EKFT assumes no responsibility for the payment of taxes related to any tournament awards.
16) CASH PRIZES
6-8 weeks wait time on cash prizes. Winning anglers will receive a check by mail.
Any complaints posted about EKFT on social media or brings unfavorable publicity to the sport of extreme kayak fishing and its sponsors will void the payout.
Participation in EKFT tournament events is open to all anglers possessing a kayak & or a SUP. All anglers must pay the registration fee, complete an entry form and receive a ID number and wrist band.
Every angler over 16 years of age must possess a valid Florida Freshwater Fishing License by law. All prize winners may be asked to produce a valid license prior to receiving any award. All local, State, U.S. Coast Guard, Parks & Wildlife, and federal boating and fishing regulations shall apply at all times.
Each participant shall pay an entry fee of $125 for a one-day entry (hereinafter “Entry Fee”) to participate in the Event. The Entry Fee shall be paid (in full) prior to participation in the Event. There will be no refunds of the Entry Fee
2) SIGN IN AND SHOOT OFF
All anglers MUST sign in and out on tournament day.
Shoot off shall take place at Lake Ida Park between 8 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. (Exact time will be given at the kickoff party).
All angler must be back at Lake Ida Park (Launch location) by 2pm sharp.
Anglers not back in time will be deemed late and their fish will not count.
All fish must be caught on and within the official designated Event waters during official Event hours.
3) SPORTSMANSHIP
All anglers are expected to follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy, safety, and conservation. Any angler who displays poor sportsmanship, violates these rules, or any state or local laws, or brings unfavorable publicity to the sport of extreme kayak fishing will be disqualified and may be disqualified from participating in future tournament events.
Specifically, the use of obscene language or gestures is strictly forbidden at any time prior to, during, or after the event. This includes the use of obscene language over the tournament channel. Any infraction of these fundamental sporting principles may be deemed cause for disqualification or other penalty. Maximum courtesy must be practiced at all times, especially with regard to angling in the vicinity of non-competitors who may be on tournament waters.
Any act or inflammatory statement by any contestant that, in the opinion of the Tournament Director, is detrimental to the operation of tournament, damaging to organized extreme kayak fishing, to EKFT, or any of its sponsors, permitting agencies or their officers, including Coast Guard inspectors, during or after the tournaments may result in temporary or permanent suspension and disqualification from all future EKFT tournaments.
EKFT reserves the right to reject any angler’s registration at anytime.
EKFT reserves the right to refuse service to anyone.
4) GENERAL RULES
* Kayaks shall not have motors of any kind.
* Every angler must use a rod and reel to catch all fish in the tournament.
* No electric reels.
* No long lining from the kayak.
* No assistance from a boat, unless otherwise provided for in the tournament rules.
* No sharing rods.
* No splitting the winnings with another angler by sharing his or her fish.
* No diving from your kayak to spear a fish.
* Angler cannot buy a fish.
* Boats CANNOT chum for any kayak angler during the tournament.
* Anglers may not pass rods to fellow kayak anglers once a fish has been hooked. A fish considered hooked once a strike occurs and the drag is engaging or the bail is closed.
* Anglers must stay in their kayak the whole tournament once the morning shoot-off has commenced.
The following items are mandatory safety equipment for each kayak:
* Personal Flotation Devices (PFDS)
* Visual Distress Signals (Flag)
* Sounds Producing Device (bell, horn, whistle, etc.)
* Every angler MUST have a VHF radio. (Communication is imperative in this tournament.)
5) FLORIDA FISH ELIGIBILITY AND WEIGH IN
Unless otherwise provided in the tournament rules, the following fish are the only species eligible for the Main Total Weight prizes in the EKFT Exotic Bass Roundup Tournament:
TWO Peacock Bass & One Clown Knifefish. Total weight of both fish wins top prize. $2,000 from Nautical Ventures
Peacock Bass & Clown Knifefish MUST be 3lbs and up to be eligible for weigh-in or for the tournament & boats to even accept the fish.
In addition to its main tournament prizes, EKFT’s tournament series also includes the following divisions:
Snakehead Calcutta: Single heaviest Snakehead wins Calcutta. Snakehead's are NOT eligible for the main prize. Snakeheads are now eligible for cull boat to transport as long as that fish is deemed healthy & large enough.
(Snakehead's will now be catch & release just like all other fish in this event) $25 to enter.
NV Sunshine Bass Division: Single heaviest Sunshine bass wins division. Sunshine bass are NOT eligible for the main prize. Division included with entry. Sunshine Bass must be 1lb and up.
Jaguar Cichlid Division: Single heaviest Jaguar Cichlid wins division. Free entry into ANY EKFT event. Jaguar Cichlid are NOT eligible for the main prize & must be 1lb and up.
Redtail Catfish Division: Single heaviest Redtail wins division. Redtail must be 10lbs and up. $1,000.00 Turbo USA
Junior Division: Heaviest total weight of TWO Peacock Bass/ One Clown Knifefish. $200.00 Gift Card Aces Bait & Tackle YETI Rambler 1/2 gallon.
Womans Division: Heaviest total weight of TWO Peacock Bass/ One Clown Knifefish.
Aside from the Womans & Junior Division's only one fish species per division is permitted per participant to weigh in for calcutta's & divisions.
Grand Prize is HEAVIEST TOTAL WEIGHT OF TWO PEACOCK BASS & ONE CLOWN KNIFEFISH COMBINED.
(Three Total Fish)
In the event of a tie in overall weight, the angler that gets his or her fish weighed FIRST wins the tie breaker.
Go to http://myfwc.com/fishing/ For all Florida fish laws, which every angler MUST follow at each tournament.
6) CULLING SYSTEM
EKFT will provide multiple culling boats with adequate livewell space for transporting angler's catches to the holding tank, located at the launch/weigh-in area at Lake Ida Park. Each cull boat will have an on board EKFT judge. It is the sole discretion of the appointed judge to determine whether or not the angler's fish is eligible for weigh-in. An eligible fish must be at or larger than 3lbs. and larger than the smallest fish in that cull boat's livewell. The smallest fish on board that culling boat will then be released, and the angler will be notified via VHF radio or phone call.
Example: Anglers a, b, c, d, e, f all have fish in a holding skiff. Angler now brings in a 6th Peacock Bass fish for that cull boat. The judge will determine, on the spot, which is the smallest fish, and that fish will be released. Judges will use a culling beam. The culling boats will hold/transport no more than 6 fish at a time.
The 12 (6 fish each, Peacock Bass / Clown Knifefish) total fish culling boat limit is set in place to ensure the safety of each fish.
EKFT will only hold the largest 12 fish (6 fish each) that are eligible for main prizes!
Peacock Bass MUST be 3lbs and up for the tournament to receive the fish.
EKFT culling boats and holding tank judges will take all precautions needed to insure the safe care of each angler's fish. In the event of a fish's death, it will not be eligible for weigh-in. Even if the death occurred while the fish was in the care of EKFT personnel.
Anglers can chose to keep fish alive under their own supervision, or chose to drop the fish off at the culling boat. NOTE: Culling boat will determine the health of the fish and if it's deemed healthy enough to hold. In the event that the fish dies on the boat it will not be accepted to weigh in, and EKFT will not be responsible.
The weigh-in station will have a 500-gallon holding tank. Once a fish has been transferred from a culling boat, to the holding tank, that angler is no longer permitted to turn in the same species of Peacock Bass or Clown Knifefish that was put into the main tournament tank. Only ONE fish of each species is permitted.
To be clear, anglers are only allowed to weigh TWO Peacock Bass & ONE Clown Knifefish, with the tournament only holding the 12 heaviest fish that are eligible for prizes.
Communication for culling is key to having a successful event. It is entirely up to the angler to insure that his or her VHF radio and/or cell phone are in good working order. This is how an angler will be reached to be informed of his or her catch's release before making it into the holding tank. If an anglers fish has been released by the holding boat or the tournament committee because the peacock was knocked out of 6th place than that angler can keep fishing after being notified by the tournament.
Peacock Bass must be weighed-in by the participant who originally caught the bass or any of the eligible fish in the event & the fish must be caught on the kayak during the tournament hours.
(The only exception to this rule would be if one of the tournament participants is disabled, in this case we will allow another participant to bring the fish to the scales for the disabled angler.)
Every effort must be made to keep Peacock Bass alive including proper livewell aeration, treatment and temperature management.
Anglers CANNOT not weigh-in a dead fish, even if it happened while being transported on a EKFT holding skiff.
7) BAIT
Anglers may use any source of bait they choose.
Live bait and artificial baits are acceptable.
EKFT does not provide live bait for any Florida tournaments.
Live chumming is allowed from an anglers kayak.
8) ANGLER ASSISTANCE
If angler has to be helped to shore or is caught fishing on shore & not the kayak or paddle board then that angler is disqualified. No angler can be helped back to the launch point from any motor of any kind (trucks, cars, boats, kayaks etc...) All anglers must return to launch point under his or her own power.
9) TANDEM KAYAKS
Tandem kayaks are allowed, BUT each angler is competing against one another & each angler must pay an entry fee. Anglers cannot pass rods to the fellow kayak angler once a fish has been hooked. A fish considered hooked once a strike occurs and the drag is engaging or the bail is closed. Anglers cannot help one another in any way! The winning angler is subject to a polygraph test.
10) PROTEST AND APPEAL
All protests must be submitted in writing to the Rules Committee on the day of the alleged violation by 3pm with a deposit of $100.00. If the alleged violation is found to have occurred, the deposit of $100.00 will be refunded. If the Rules Committee finds no violation, the deposit will not be refunded. The decision of the Rules Committee will be final. If an angler is caught protesting during the tournament without following the process set forth herein, that angler may be banned from every EKFT tournament event for life.
11) TOURNAMENT DISCRETION
EKFT’s tournament director reserves the right to implement his or her discretion at any time during the tournament as it may apply to the rules or any other circumstance that should arise during the course of the event. Unless otherwise provided for in the tournament rules, decisions and interpretations of the tournament director shall be final.
12) POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION
By entering the tournament all anglers voluntarily consent to submit to a polygraph examination as deemed necessary by tournament officials. Any angler of a registered kayak who refuses to take a polygraph or provides untruthful answers as determined by the examiner will be disqualified from the tournament without further notice. Such a disqualification will eliminate payment or provision of any prize money, awards, and/or refund of entrance fees. Anglers requested to take a polygraph examination shall be responsible to pay all costs incurred.
13) TOURNAMENT CANCELLATION, ENTRY
EKFT reserves the right to cancel and/or reschedule any tournament events. In case of bad weather (lightning / thunder storms), the Tournament Committee will reschedule the event at a different date. Any schedule adjustment due to inclement weather will be made at the sole discretion of the tournament committee. No refunds will be made in the event of cancellation. There are NO refunds once an angler is registered (signed up). NO transferring funds from one event to another. The only exception is if an angler gets deployed to the military and proof is provided.
14) RELEASE AND HOLD HARMLESS
It is expressly understood that all registered participants of EKFT tournament events participate voluntarily and at their own risk. Each registered participant, on behalf of other family members and/or executors, agrees to release and hold harmless Extreme Kayak Fishing Tournament, its agents, employees, tournament officials, sponsors, and all other persons connected directly or indirectly with operation of said tournament from any and all liability for libel, slander, loss, damage, negligence, harm, injury, or death suffered by any participant, entrant, sport-fishermen, their companions, vessels or their equipment during the tournament.
15) TAXES
Anglers are responsible to pay all taxes on both cash and merchandise awards where and when applicable. EKFT assumes no responsibility for the payment of taxes related to any tournament awards.
16) CASH PRIZES
6-8 weeks wait time on cash prizes. Winning anglers will receive a check by mail.
Any complaints posted about EKFT on social media or brings unfavorable publicity to the sport of extreme kayak fishing and its sponsors will void the payout.