2025 Take a Bite Out of Cancer Tournament Rules and Regulations

1. Check In

1.1 Read the Rules. It is the responsibility of every participating angler to know, understand and abide by these tournament rules during this competition.

1.2 Check in Starts at 6am on Friday, July 11th, 2025. Check in will be at Stahlman Park Surfside, TX. As soon as you check in you can start fishing.

1.3 EVERY ANGLER MUST CHECK IN, IN PERSON, WITH A VALID FISHING LICENSE (no license needed for kids)

2. Sportsmanship & Disqualification

2.1 The safety of all anglers and teammates is their responsibility and should be the first priority.

2.2 Unsportsmanlike conduct—including cheating, harassment, or actions outside the spirit of fair competition—will result in immediate disqualification and permanent ejection.

2.3 Anyone previously disqualified from another tournament for cheating, or who has failed a polygraph, is not eligible to enter.

2.4 Polygraph testing may be administered at the discretion of Team Shark at the Moon.

2.5 Any participant disqualified forfeits all prizes and entry fees, which will be donated to the tournament beneficiary.

2.6 Eligibility Policy:
For the safety of our community, we reserve the right to deny entry or participation to any individual at our sole discretion if we believe their presence may compromise the safety, well-being, or integrity of the event. This includes, but is not limited to, individuals facing serious criminal charges involving sexual misconduct, abuse, or exploitation of minors, regardless of conviction status. All such decisions by tournament officials are final.

3. Catch-Photo-Release

3.1 Take A Bite Out of Cancer is operated with 100% volunteer effort. This is not a business, it is a surf fishing tournament conceived to raise money for people whose lives have been changed by cancer. If you do not agree with our methods, rules, or requirements, please do not enter.

3.2 To submit photo entries – You must be in line at Hooked on Tackle by 2pm on Sunday, July 13th, 2025. NO LATE ENTRIES WILL BE ALLOWED

4. General Fishing Rules

4.1 All catches must be caught on rod and reel.

4.2 All TPWD, State and Local laws and regulations apply.

4.3 Land based only: fishing rod and reel must remain on the land when fishing.

4.4 Boundaries – Sabine Pass to Matagorda. No state or Federal parks. i.e. Galveston State Park, Sea Rim State Park is off limits. This does not include federal or state wildlife reserves.

4.5 All catches must be successfully caught and released.

4.6 Participants may ONLY get help landing and releasing their shark, angler must reel in his/her own shark. Spotting is allowed (shouldering a pole or holding the back of a fighting belt), but only the participant claiming the fish may crank on the reel. Some extra assistance in the kid’s division may be allowed.

4.7 Assisting taking the rod off the tower/deck/platform to ground is allowed without cranking the reel.

4.8 Only anglers registered in the shark division may deploy their own bait or that of other shark division anglers.

4.9 Jet skis, zodiacs and drones will be allowed.

4.10 Fishing will only be allowed from the beach. No piers, jetties or bays.

4.11 Catch, tag (if possible), measure, PHOTO and RELEASE.

4.12 Date and Time on the Camera must be set correctly. Please remove any existing photos prior to the event.

4.13 All photos must now be taken with a digital camera and the photos themselves turned in on an SD Card. Cell phone, GoPro’s, drone cameras will not be permitted.

4.14 Tournament participants can only place once in any given division.

4.15 Any participants who are disqualified forfeit their entry fees. The entire entry fee will be donated to the beneficiary of the tournament.

4.16 See below for rules regarding photos.

5. Photo Rules

5.1 Both the 48” Ruler Picture and the Overall measurement photo with the 120” tape will be required to verify lengths.

5.2 All photos must now be taken with a digital camera and the photos themselves turned in on an SD Card. Cell phone, GoPro’s, drone cameras will not be permitted.

5.3 You, the angler, must prove to Take a Bite Out of Cancer the measurement of your catch via required digital photographs as defined within these rules and examples given on the example page. Please read and understand these rules & requirements, failure to have pictures verifying the submitted length of your catch can result in disqualification.

6. Shark Submissions Require Two Pictures Per Shark

6.1 SHARK PHOTO: (Angler Photo) Angler posing with entire shark visible, lying straight, Take a Bite Out of Cancer ruler held correctly, and taken from correct angle. Further details below. Anglers must use our ruler.

6.2 SHARK PHOTO: (Overall Length Photo) Using the 120-inch ruler, a photo containing the tip of the tail & a legible and verifiable overall length measurement. Further details below.

7. Non-Shark Submissions Require Two Pictures Per Catch

7.1 NON-SHARK PHOTO: (Angler Photo) Angler posing with entire catch visible, lying straight, Take a Bite Out of Cancer ruler held correctly, and taken from the correct angle. Further details below. Anglers must use our ruler.

7.2 NON-SHARK PHOTO: (Measurement Photo) Photo containing a legible and verifiable total length measurement of your catch with the correct ruler visible and not covered up. Further details below.

8. Tips for Photos

8.1 Take multiples of each required photo and review them to ensure that an adequate picture has been taken.

8.2 Discuss the process with the person taking photos in advance so they understand the procedures.

9. Detailed Definitions of Angler Photos

9.1 SHARK PHOTO: (Angler Photo)
One photo required showing the angler posing with the shark, looking at the camera.
The Take a Bite Out of Cancer ruler must be held straight, visible and legible within the photo.
The Take a Bite Out of Cancer ruler must be held straight along the length of the shark, in front of and near or touching the dorsal fin, shark tag visible if applicable.
The entire shark must be straight, visible and clean within the photo.
Do not hold tail, take photos perpendicular to the length of the shark.
Fork length reported by the angler must be verifiable in PHOTO #1 for it to qualify.
Fork lengths are verified via software using the Take a Bite Out of Cancer ruler to scale the photographer and verify measurement.

9.2 SHARK PHOTO (Total Length Photo)
One photo required showing the tip of the tail & the 120″ ruler visible and legible.
The fork length represented within this photo must match the length reported by the angler on the catch-log & must be visible & verifiable in SHARK PHOTO 2 for it to be qualified.
Sharks are measured in a straight line with tape measure held tight above the shark.
Do not follow curvature of the shark with the tape measure.

9.4 NON-SHARK PHOTO (Angler Photo)
One photo required showing the angler posing with the catch, looking at the camera.
The entire catch must be straight, visible and clean within the photo.
The Take a Bite Out of Cancer ruler must be straight, visible and legible within the photo.
Take a photo perpendicular to the length of the catch.

9.5 NON-SHARK PHOTO (Measurement Photo)
One photo required.
If the catch is less than 48″, Take a Bite Out of Cancer ruler is to be used.
If catch is longer than 48, then 120″ ruler must be used.
The catch must be straight, visible & clean.
The ruler used must be straight, visible & legible.
The total length of the catch represented within this photo must match the length on the catch-log.
Fish lengths are measured in a straight line, from tip of closed jaw or tip of nose (whichever is longer and applies to species of fish), to tip of tail.
DO NOT extend lower jaw and take measurements from there.

9.6 STINGRAY PHOTO (Angler Photo)
One photo required showing the angler in a safe position away from the tail of ray.
The entire Take a Bite Out of Cancer ruler must be straight, visible and legible within the photo.
The Take a Bite Out of Cancer ruler must be held over the width of the ray to represent the measurement from wingtip to wingtip.

9.7 STINGRAY PHOTO (Measurement Photo)
One photo required.
If the catch is less than 48″, Take a Bite Out of Cancer ruler is to be used.
If catch is longer than 48, then 120″ ruler must be used.
Always keep tail away from anglers.
The ray’s outline must be visible.
The ruler must be straight, visible and legible.
The total length from wingtip to wingtip represented within this photo must match the length on the catch-log.

 

2025 Take a Bite Out of Cancer Fishing Tournament

Participant Waiver and Release of Liability

Assumption of Risk

I understand that participation in the Event involves risks, including but not limited to injury, permanent disability, and death. These risks may result from factors including, but not limited to, equipment failure, adverse weather or water conditions, animal encounters, physical exertion, and the actions or inactions of myself, other participants, or event organizers. I freely and voluntarily assume all such risks, known and unknown, even those arising from the negligence of the event organizers or others.

Compliance and Responsibility

I agree to abide by all rules, regulations, and safety instructions provided by Team Shark at the Moon and event staff. I affirm that I am physically fit to participate and that I have not been advised otherwise by a qualified medical professional. I understand it is my responsibility to monitor my own condition during the event.

Release and Indemnification

I, for myself and on behalf of my heirs, assigns, personal representatives, and next of kin, hereby RELEASE, INDEMNIFY, AND HOLD HARMLESS Team Shark at the Moon, its officers, board members, volunteers, agents, employees, event sponsors, advertisers, and, if applicable, the owners and lessors of premises used to conduct the event (collectively, the “Releasees”), from and against any and all claims, causes of action, liabilities, or damages, including injury, disability, death, or property damage, arising from or related to my participation in the Event, WHETHER ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASEES OR OTHERWISE, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Fishing Regulations

I understand that I am required to possess a valid Texas fishing license (unless exempt by state law) and must comply with all Texas Parks and Wildlife regulations. Failure to do so is grounds for disqualification and may result in legal penalties.

Medical Authorization (Optional)

In the event of an emergency, I authorize medical treatment by licensed emergency personnel and release Team Shark at the Moon from any liability related to such treatment.

Participant Name: ______________________________________

Signature: _____________________________________________

Date: _______________________

Emergency Contact Name & Phone: __________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature (if under 18): ___________________________