TSR FISHING RULES

1) Read the rules!!! It is the responsibility of all participants in the Texas Shark Rodeo to read, understand, and comply with all of the fishing, photo, & tagging rules and requirements of the tournament. If you have a question, do not hesitate to contact us via the CONTACT US TAB

2) Each Participant will be required to agree to a waiver of liability in order to participate . Anyone 17 and under will need a parent or guardian to complete the waiver. The waiver is located on the TSR website and each participant must create a login and agree to the waiver prior to any catches being accepted from that participant.

3) This tournament is for sharks only caught within the state of Texas. Land based fishing from coastal waters only, must be caught from beach, jetty, or channel. Catches from piers or fishing from boats of any kind will not be allowed.

4) All catches must comply with all requirements set forth by TSR regarding fishing rules, photo rules, & submission requirements in order to be considered a valid catch and have points awarded. 

5) Bait deployment Rules: Bait deployment can only be done by a participant entered in the Texas Shark Rodeo, they do not have to be on your team. Non-participants cannot deploy a bait for a TSR entrant. The act of setting the hook, and the actual battle of the shark via rod and reel until the landing/leadering process begins can only involve members of the team. Anyone entered in TSR can take your bait out, but only teammates can assist in the act of reeling in a fish. Bait deployment has no restrictions on technique as long as it is legal for the area being fished. Motorized craft can be used for deployment as long as it conforms to the regulations of the location. Bait deployment is defined as whatever method is used to place the bait within the water, be it kayak, casting, wading or any other methods allowed for the area you are fishing.

6) Non-participants are only allowed to help in the following ways: It is understood that any person may maintain a rod & reel on land or jetty while a bait is being deployed. The act of landing/leadering, tagging, data gathering, photo process, and release of a shark can utilize anyone for assistance, the successful, healthy release of the shark is the most important aspect of the tournament. Bait may be caught for or provided to any TSR participant by anyone. Anyone can be in your camp and or immediate area while fishing. Non-participants cannot deploy a bait or assist in the fight of the fish until the landing/leadering process begins.

7) It is the responsibility of the participants to adhere to TPWD rules and regulations while fishing.

8) Anyone not utilizing and or not returning unused tags/vials issued to them from a previous year will not be allowed to participate in any of the events that Sharkathon hosts. This includes Sharkathon and the Texas Shark Rodeo, please contact TSR using the CONTACT US TAB for information on how to return tags/vials or activate tags/vials that your team may still possess. The tags/vials cost a lot of money and if they are not going to be used they must be returned to TSR.

9) Unsportsmanlike conduct before, during and after the event can result in disqualification and being banned from future events that Sharkathon hosts. This includes Sharkathon and the Texas Shark Rodeo. Disputes or grievances will be handled with TSR in private. Publicly acting in an unsportsmanlike manner will not be tolerated.

10) TSR is a non-profit entity and while TSR will do what it can to obtain prizes nothing is implied or guaranteed. TSR will be keeping with the traditions of the original rodeo and create unique and handcrafted trophies for each of the winners.

All rules and requirements are subject to change during the tournament. Any rules and or requirements changed will be announced via dated newsletter. Please review all rules and requirements by clicking the various links located under the "Rules & Info" tab. It is understood that a catch prior to an update of these rules is exempt.

Correct method of using  120” ruler to measure sharks

·  Hold ruler tight just above body of shark in a straight line, do not follow contours of shark.

·  Total length is measured in a straight line from the tip of snout to the longest length of tail.

·  Fork length is measured in a straight line from the tip of snout to the inside of tail as shown above.

·  Girth is measured around the thickest part of the shark between pectoral and dorsal fins.