Junior BCS Tournament Rules & Information

The Junior Big Cash Snapper Tournament (“Tournament”) is a competitive fishing event organized by Big Cash Snapper, LLC (“Organizer”).
The Tournament is open to eligible youth anglers who agree to abide by these Official Rules and all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

2. TOURNAMENT DIRECTORS

• Brian Costley: (281) 932-6803 — brian@bigcashsnapper.com
• Caila Vu Beers: (832) 387-9256 — caila@bigcashsnapper.com
• Wade Bullard: (832) 731-1794 — wade@hookspit.com
• Kelly Cook: (713) 263-4781 — kelly@bigcashsnapper.com

3. TOURNAMENT PERIOD

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.

4. TOURNAMENT BOUNDARIES

Eligible waters include the State of Texas territorial waters, the common boundary waters shared with Louisiana (per TPWD), and seaward extensions up to 200 nautical miles.
Fish caught outside these boundaries are ineligible.
Official map: https://bigcashsnapper.com/map/

Any fish caught outside of the defined Tournament Boundaries or outside of legally open waters at the time of harvest shall be deemed ineligible.

5. TOURNAMENT CATEGORIES & AWARDS

Awards are given to the top four heaviest Red Snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) caught by Junior anglers during the Tournament Period.

• Minimum Weight: 18 lbs
• Minimum Length: 30 inches (used as a guide; not disqualifying if fish exceeds 18 lbs).

Total Length is measured from the most forward point of the head (mouth closed) to the farthest tip of the tail (tail compressed or squeezed).

Award Payouts:

• 1st Place: $10,000
• 2nd Place: $5,000
• 3rd Place: $1,000
• 4th Place: $500

Each Junior angler may win only one placement within the Junior Big Cash Snapper Division per year. However, Junior anglers may also win in the Big Cash Snapper and/or World Record Bounty divisions.

6. ELIGIBILITY & REGISTRATION

Age: Participants must be at least six (6) years old as of June 1, 2026, and must not turn 18 before September 1, 2026.
Fishing License: All participants must comply with Texas Parks and Wildlife fishing license requirements.
Registration Deadline: All Junior anglers must complete online registration and receive a timestamped confirmation email before fishing or catching their qualifying fish.
Registration closes at 11:59 p.m. CST on August 28, 2026.
Registration Fee: Free
Multiple Registrations: Juniors may also register for the Big Cash Snapper and World Record Bounty divisions but must meet those divisions’ eligibility requirements and fees.
Employee Exclusion: Employees (salaried or commissioned) of Big Cash Snapper, LLC are ineligible.
Accuracy of Information: Participants are responsible for verifying their registration accuracy.
Guardian Requirement: If a minor wins a prize, it will be issued to their parent or legal guardian.

7. RULES OF CONDUCT

All participants must follow federal, state, and local fishing regulations, including those established by TPWD.

• Fair Angling: All fish must be caught by the registered Junior angler using rod, reel, line, and hook.
• No Electric Reels: The use of electric reels is prohibited.
• Assistance:
Junior anglers must hook, fight, and land their fish independently.
Adults may assist only with rigging tackle, casting, gaffing, netting, or leadering.
• No Transfer of Fish: The transfer of fish between anglers is prohibited.
• Sportsmanship: Unsportsmanlike behavior, as determined by Tournament Directors, may result in disqualification.

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. DOCUMENTATION & REPORTING

• Immediate Notification: Anglers must notify a Tournament Director upon catching or at the earliest opportunity of a potential qualifying fish (18 lbs or greater).
Text: (281) 932-6803 or (832) 387-9256
• Photo Documentation: The photo must clearly show the angler with the fish on a certified scale and the scale weight visibly displayed.
• Submission: Photos/videos must be texted to the Tournament Director and the official weigh-in form must be completed and signed.

9. WEIGH-IN PROCEDURES

Fish must be weighed within 24 hours of catch at a certified Big Cash Snapper Weigh Station before 7 p.m. CST August 28, 2026.
The weigh-in form must be complete, signed, and verified by a Weigh Master within 48 hours of the catch.
Fish must be fresh and unaltered

Official Weigh Stations (9 a.m.–7 p.m. daily)

• Sabine:
SGS Causeway Bait & Tackle – (409) 985-4811 – 3897 T B Ellison Pkwy, Port Arthur, TX 77640
• Galveston:
Galveston Yacht Basin – (409) 765-3000 / (409) 539-0508 – 715 N Holiday Dr, Galveston, TX 77550
• Surfside:
Surfside Marina – (979) 418-1768 / (979) 230-9400 – 827 Gulf Rd, Surfside Beach, TX 77541
• Matagorda:
Matagorda Harbor Bait & Tackle – (979) 637-0962 / (979) 863-7620 – 189 County Rd 213, Matagorda, TX 77457
• Port O’Connor:
The Fishing Center – (361) 983-4440 – 1303 Water St, Port O’Connor, TX 77982
• Port Aransas:
Fisherman’s Wharf – (361) 749-5448 – 900 Tarpon St, Port Aransas, TX 78373
• Port Aransas:
Dolphin Docks – (800) 393-3474 – 300 W Cotter Ave, Port Aransas, TX 78373
• Corpus Christi:
Roy’s Bait & Tackle – (361) 992-2960 – 7613 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX 78412
• Port Mansfield:
Harbor Bait & Tackle – (956) 944-2367 – 123 W Harbor Rd, Port Mansfield, TX 78598
• South Padre Island:
Gilbert’s Bait & Tackle – (956) 299-4559 / (956) 312-6851 – 803 TX-100, Port Isabel, TX 78578

Weigh Station Disclaimer:
All official Weigh Stations are independently operated businesses.
Big Cash Snapper, LLC is not responsible for the operational hours, closures, or availability of any Weigh Station.
It is the angler’s sole responsibility to confirm weigh-station hours and ensure fish are weighed within Tournament deadlines.

10. TIEBREAKERS

Ties are resolved by earliest weigh-in time; if identical, the earliest registration timestamp prevails.

11. 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.

12. POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION

All participants and their parent/legal guardian agree to submit to a polygraph examination upon request by the Tournament Directors.
Failure to take or pass the polygraph examination will result in disqualification.
Participants are responsible for travel costs associated with the test.
Tournament Directors reserve the right to order a polygraph at any time.

13. DISQUALIFICATION

Grounds include:

• Violation of law or Tournament Rules
• Dishonesty or fraud
• Unsportsmanlike conduct
• Failure to comply with polygraph
• Violation of TPWD Chapter 66, Section 66.023 (“Fraud in Fishing Tournaments”)

The Tournament Directors reserve the right to disqualify any participant for any reason deemed necessary to protect the integrity, fairness, or reputation of the Tournament.

Disqualified entrants forfeit all fees and prizes and may be banned from future events.

If a participant is disqualified after provisional or final standings are announced, all affected placements shall be re-ranked and awarded to the next eligible anglers in descending order.

14. FINAL DECISIONS & TAX RESPONSIBILITY

All decisions by the Tournament Rules Committee and Tournament Directors are final. Prize winners are responsible for taxes and will receive IRS Form 1099.

15. RELEASE, HOLD HARMLESS & INDEMNITY

By participating, each angler (and their parent or guardian) agrees to release, indemnify, and hold harmless Big Cash Snapper, LLC, its officers, sponsors, employees, and weigh-station partners from all claims arising from participation, including negligence or property damage. This agreement is binding and includes claims arising from the negligence of released parties.

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. SEVERABILITY

If any provision of these Rules is held invalid, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

20. ENTIRE AGREEMENT

These Official Rules, together with the Release & Indemnity Agreement and any documents incorporated by reference, constitute the entire agreement between the participant and Big Cash Snapper, LLC and supersede all prior agreements.