CAPTAIN's RULES
1. Introduction
The Captain’s Cash Prize (“Tournament”) is a special division of the Big Cash Snapper Tournament, organized by Big Cash Snapper, LLC (“Organizer”).
It is open to licensed Texas boat captains who meet all eligibility criteria and agree to abide by these Official Rules and all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
2. TOURNAMENT PERIOD
The Captain’s Cash Prize runs concurrently with the Big Cash Snapper Tournament.
The Tournament shall commence at 12:01 a.m. CST on June 1, 2026, and conclude at 11:59 p.m. CST on August 28, 2026. All fish must be weighed by 11:59 p.m. CST on August 28, 2026, and must not have been caught more than 24 hours prior.
Only fish caught and weighed within the Tournament Period are eligible for prizes.
If the Federal recreational private Red Snapper season closes early, Tournament dates will adjust accordingly to align with that closure. State-water catches remain eligible while open.
Legal Harvest Requirement
All fish must be legally harvested during an open state or federal season at the time of catch. A fish caught prior to a season closure but weighed afterward remains eligible only if harvested while the applicable season was legally open and weighed within twenty-four (24) hours of capture.
3. ELIGIBILITY
Open to Licensed Captains Only: Participants must hold a valid and verifiable Texas Captain’s License.
Minimum Age: Captains must be at least 18 years old to enter.
Registration
• Captain registration is free of charge.
• Captains must register online prior to fishing and will receive a confirmation email with a timestamped registration number.
Linking to Anglers
• Captains may be linked to any registered angler, including other captains, but may not link to themselves.
• To be eligible for a prize, the captain must be registered as an angler in the Big Cash Snapper Tournament.
• The Captain’s Cash Prize will be awarded to the captain who put the angler on the winning fish, provided they were registered prior to the time of the catch.
• If no eligible captain is listed or registered at the time of the catch, no Captain’s Cash Prize will be awarded.
Big Cash Snapper & World Record Eligibility:
Captains are eligible to compete in both the Big Cash Snapper and World Record Bounty divisions but must be registered and pay the respective fees.
Employee Exclusion:
Employees (salaried or commissioned) of Big Cash Snapper, LLC are not eligible to win prizes.
Accuracy of Information:
Captains are responsible for ensuring the accuracy of their registration details. Big Cash Snapper, LLC is not responsible for registration errors.
4. RULES OF CONDUCT
All captains and anglers must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local fishing laws and regulations, including those set forth by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD).
Sportsmanship: All participants are expected to act with integrity and good sportsmanship.
Assistance: Captains may assist their anglers with rigging tackle, gaffing, netting, or leadering but may not physically hook or fight the fish.
Transfer of Fish: The transfer of fish between participants is strictly prohibited.
Captain Responsibility: Captains are accountable for ensuring that their vessels and anglers comply with all tournament rules and laws.
Coordinates Disclosure: Captains and/or anglers with a winning catch may be asked to provide the coordinates of their catch. This information will only be disclosed to the Tournament Directors and will not be made public.
Director’s Discretion:The Tournament Directors reserve the right to disqualify any captain or angler for any reason deemed plausible or necessary to maintain tournament integrity
5. Protest
Protests must be submitted via email to contact@bigcashsnapper.com by 9:00 a.m. CST August 29, 2026.
Each protest must include:
• Protestor name and contact info
• Registration number
• Statement of grounds and facts
• Supporting evidence or photos
• Requested resolution
• Late or incomplete protests will not be reviewed.
6. POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION
All captains and anglers agree to submit to a polygraph examination upon request by the Tournament Directors.
Failure to take or pass a polygraph will result in disqualification.
Participants are responsible for their own travel expenses related to testing.
The Tournament Directors reserve the right to order a polygraph at any time.
7. DISQUALIFICATION
Grounds for Disqualification Include:
• Violation of any federal, state, or local fishing regulations.
• Violation of these Official Rules.
• Failure to take or pass a polygraph examination.
• Unsportsmanlike conduct.
• Any act of dishonesty, fraud, or misrepresentation.
• Having been charged with or convicted of an offense as defined in TPWD Chapter 66, Section 66.023 (“Fraud in Fishing Tournaments”).
Forfeiture: Disqualified participants forfeit their entry and any claim to prizes.
Ban: Individuals disqualified under these rules may be banned from future Big Cash Snapper events.
8. FINAL DECISIONS & TAX RESPONSIBILITY
Final Decisions: The rulings of the Big Cash Snapper Tournament Rules Committee and Tournament Directors are final and binding.
Tax Responsibility: Prize winners are responsible for any applicable taxes and will receive an IRS Form 1099.
The decision of the Tournament Directors, in their sole discretion, shall be final on all matters.
9. RELEASE, HOLD HARMLESS & INDEMNITY
In consideration of being allowed to enter the Captain’s Cash Prize division, each participant agrees to release, indemnify, and hold harmless Big Cash Snapper, LLC, its officers, directors, employees, sponsors, weigh-station partners, and affiliates from all claims or liabilities arising from participation, including negligence.
This includes but is not limited to personal injury, wrongful death, property damage, or economic loss.
Participants understand and agree that this release is binding and includes claims arising from the negligence of the released parties.
10. DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Any controversy arising out of or relating to Big Cash Snapper, LLC or this Tournament shall be resolved by binding arbitration conducted in the State of Texas under the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. This binding arbitration will be the sole and exclusive remedy for resolving any such claim or dispute. Judgment on the award may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction.
EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY, AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO BIG CASH SNAPPER, LLC, THIS TOURNAMENT, OR ANY PART OF THIS AGREEMENT.
11. ATTORNEY’S FEES
The prevailing party in any dispute arising out of or related to Big Cash Snapper, LLC, or this Tournament is entitled to reasonable attorney’s fees and costs.
12. GOVERNING LAW
These Official Rules are governed by and construed under the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to conflict-of-law principles.
13. SEVERABILITY
If any provision of these Official Rules is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
14. ENTIRE AGREEMENT
These Official Rules, together with the Release & Indemnity Agreement and any incorporated documents, constitute the entire agreement between the participant and Big Cash Snapper, LLC, superseding all prior or contemporaneous communications.