Washington Tuna Classic

Rules Updated July 24, 2026: Each participant should take the time to read and understand the tournament’s format, entry & rules before the Captain’s meeting. Have questions?  Contact us.

Teams are competing to catch the five heaviest albacore tuna during official tournament hours. All participants are responsible for reading and understanding these rules before the Captain’s Meeting.

1 – Rules Acknowledgement

All captains, crew, and anglers must read, understand, and comply with all tournament rules, including any final instructions delivered during the Captain’s Meeting email.

Rules may be updated at any time.

By entering the event, all participants agree to accept all tournament rules and all decisions made by the Washington Tuna Classic Board of Directors as final.

2 – Captains Meeting

• Mandatory Captain’s Meeting: Friday, July 24, 2026 at 6:00 PM Location: Grayland community center.
• A Tournament Rules Judge will be announced during the meeting.
• Printed rules and Captain’s Buckets will be distributed at the meeting.
• Attendance is required to participate.

3 – Permits & Licensing

Captains and crew are solely responsible for obtaining and carrying all required fishing licenses and permits.

Failure to comply with WDFW regulations may result in disqualification.

4 – Tournament Start & Vessel Inspection

• Official start time will be confirmed or adjusted during the Captain’s Meeting.
• The WTC Board may delay or cancel start/end times due to weather, ocean conditions, or safety concerns.
• All vessels must undergo inspection Saturday morning before tournament start.

Time and location will be announced at the Captain’s Meeting.

• No tournament‑ eligible fish may be onboard prior to inspection except live/dead bait.
• Teams participating in Big Fish Friday or pre‑ fishing must remove all fish before inspection.
• Any vessel found with fish in the hold during inspection will be disqualified.

5 – Tournament Communications

• Official tournament VHF channel: 73
• Teams are strongly encouraged to monitor USCG Channel 16 at all times.
• Additional communication instructions may be provided during the Captain’s Meeting.

6 – Weather and Cancellation

• The WTC Board may modify or cancel tournament hours if conditions pose a safety risk.
• All entry fees and side pot entries are non‑ refundable.

7 – Equipment and Angling Rules

• All teams must follow WDFW sportfishing regulations.
• No team may hand off or receive any item from another vessel during tournament hours, except in emergencies involving safety of life or property.
• Only legal sportfishing methods are allowed:
• Allowed: Rods and reels
• Not allowed: Herring rigs, bow & arrow, jack poles, spears, spotter planes
• Violations may result in disqualification.

8 – Fish Handling Requirements 

• Fish must be whole, fully bled, and 50°F internal temperature or colder upon arrival at the boardwalk weigh‑ in.
• Fish are weighed to the nearest 0.02 lb.
• Each team must provide a representative during weigh‑ in.
• Fish not properly bled or iced will be disqualified with no substitutions.
• Any fish showing signs of tampering or foreign material will result in team disqualification and forfeiture of all prizes.
• Post‑ event processor inspections may be used to verify quality.
• Gaffing is allowed only from the gill plate forward.
• Fish with gaff marks or mutilation behind the gill plate will not be accepted.

9 – Team & Crew Requirements

All anglers including the Captain must sign and return a Liability Waiver prior to participating in the event. 

• A team is considered registered only after the entry fee is paid.
• Standard team size: Maximum of 6 anglers on a boat, With the standard being 4.
• Veterans are exempt from angler limits and may be added beyond the six‑ angler maximum if safely accommodated.
• Charter captains, crew, and approved non‑ fishing media do not count toward angler limits.
• All teams must fly the WTC Tournament Flag, preferably on the starboard side.
• All vessel or crew changes must be finalized before the end of the Captain’s Meeting.

10 – Final Check In

• All teams must cross the designated finish line and check in on VHF 73 by 5:00 PM.
• No team may check in unless they have physically crossed the finish line.
• MMSI/GPS verification may be required.
• Teams failing to check in by 5:00 PM are ineligible for cash prizes but may still donate fish.

11 – Fish Check In Procedures

• The Team Captain or representative must sign the official Boardwalk Weigh‑ In Scorecard.

Failure to sign results in disqualification.

• All weighed fish become property of the WTC unless rules allow retention (e.g., Pelagic Pot).
• Mutilated fish will not be weighed.
• Reweigh requests must be made at the moment the fish is being weighed.
• The Weigh Master’s decision is final.

12 – Tournament Prizes, Side Bets, and Payouts

Main Event Cash Awards

• 1st Place (Heaviest 5 fish): $1,500
• 2nd Place: $1,000
• 3rd Place: $500

Main Pot Tie‑ Breaker

1. Largest fish among tied teams
2. If still tied, second largest
3. Continue through all five fish
4. If still tied, coin flip (lowest team number chooses call)

Side Pots

• Double Down Jackpot — $300 entry

50% payout to the team with the heaviest 5‑ fish total.

• Largest Fish Jackpot — $100 entry

Includes albacore and eligible pelagics.

Pelagic entries may be retained after inspection.

Tie‑ breaker: first fish weighed.

• Pelagic Jackpot — $100 entry

Eligible species: Yellowtail, Opah, Mahi Mahi/Dorado, Bigeye Tuna, Jack, Marlin, Swordfish, Bluefin, Yellowfin.

Sharks are not allowed.

Pelagics may count toward the 5‑ fish total and may be retained after weighing.

• Most Fish Donated Jackpot — $100 entry

Only fish donated on Saturday count.

Tie‑ breaker: Largest Fish rule.

• Pee Wee Jackpot — $100 entry

Fish may count toward the 5‑ fish total if desired.

Tie‑ breaker: Largest Fish rule.

• Big Fish Friday — $100 entry

Weigh‑ in at Float 6, 2–5 PM on Friday, July 24, 2026.

Tie‑ breaker: first fish weighed.

Winner announced at Saturday awards banquet. Tickets to the Award Banquet are sold separately for $30 Per person on fishing chaos website.

Payout Requirements

• Prize payouts issued via certified mail after W‑ 9 submission.
• W‑ 9 and photo ID required for prizes over $600.
• Business W‑ 9s accepted with matching business license.

13 – Polygraph Acceptance

One member from each of the top 10 teams must be available Sunday morning for a mandatory polygraph.

Failure or refusal will results in disqualification, forfeiture of all prizes, and potential ban from future events.

14 – Protests and Disputes

• All disputes must be submitted before 7:00 PM on event day.
• All decisions by the WTC Board are final.
• Rules may be changed at any time by Board vote.

15 – Ethics and Conduct

Participants must conduct themselves with honesty and integrity before, during, and after the event.

Unethical or illegal behavior may result in disqualification and removal from future events.

16 – Included with Team Entry

• Up to 800 lbs of free shaved ice per team starting at 10 AM Friday, July 24.
• Bait availability (live or frozen) will be announced closer to the event.
• One Captain’s Bucket with sponsor items, snacks, water, and materials.
• Awards Banquet on Saturday @ Grayland Community Center, July 25, 2026.

If fishing is canceled, the banquet, raffles, and prizes still occur.

17 – OWC Qualifications Rules

• The WTC winner has first right of refusal to represent WTC at the next OWC.
• If declined, the opportunity passes to 2nd place, then 3rd.
• If the winning team declines, at least one member of that team must be included on any WTC‑ representing team (OWC policy).
• All OWC costs are the responsibility of the attending team.

18 – Marina Reservations

Teams must secure their own moorage.

Westport Marina reservations open April 1, 2026.

Phone: 360‑ 533‑ 9562

Website: Westport Marina — Port of Grays Harbor

19 – WTC 2026 Event Hoodies and Swag

Event shirts and hoodies are available for purchase for teams and families.

20 – Sponsorship Opportunities

Please contact [email protected] to find out more ways for your business to participate.

21 – Event Contacts