Chesapeake Open

In accordance with the Maryland DNR Regulations for Rockfish

HYCABEM TOURNAMENT CATEGORIES FOR THE 2026 SEASON ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. QUALIFYING AREAS: All of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries as permitted by  the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
2. Prizes will be awarded by registered boat for the heaviest (by weight) THREE  Rockfish stringer. Per MD DNR, only ONE Rockfish is allowed to be in possession  PER PERSON, PER DAY. The registered boat will select their HEAVIEST THREE fish to  be entered. Boat name, Make/Model will need to be registered at time of  registration.
3. Rockfish must measure between 19 –24 inches per MD DNR guidelines. Any fish  that is deemed under or over this limit will be disqualified by HYCABEM. The  tracking of fish will not be monitored by HYCABEM, therefore it is up to the boat’s  team to decide whose fish to enter the contest. The boat is NOT allowed to be in  possession of more that ONE Rockfish PER PERSON PER DAY.
4. Ties in total weight will be decided by the TOTAL LENGTH of the THREE Rockfish  stringer EACH DAY. The length of the fish will be determined by measuring from the  closed mouth to the pinched tail for an OVERALL LENGTH as stated in the MD DNR  tournament reporting form guidelines. PLEASE MEASURE YOUR FISH  ACCORDINGLY.
5. ALL FISH MUST BE CAUGHT ON HOOK AND LINE.
6. NO gaffing. NO Culling.
7. LIVE WELLS are STRICTLY PROHIBITED – ALL fish NOT IMMEDIATELY released MUST  be stored on ice.
8. Chumming, live bait and/or use of eels is permitted. ALL legal hook and line fishing  methods are permitted.
9. IGFA all-tackle rules apply
10. ALL WINNERS WILL BE SUBJECT TO A LIE DETECTOR TEST
11. FISHING HOURS: NO lines to be in the water before 6:30AM – ALL lines must be out  of the water at 4PM.
12. Scales will OPEN at 3:30PM until 6:30PM EACH DAY.
13. PAYOUT will be as follows: ANY THREE Rockfish stringer for TWO days will be counted towards your teams TOTAL weight – ANY ONE Catfish (ANY species) for total weight in the two days. Rockfish will be paid out in 1st, 2nd and 3rd place