Welcome to the 2022 3rd annual Ho-Ho-Ho, Fishing for Dough Kayak Tournament! Our goal with this tournament is to raise money to purchase gifts for children in Citrus County that may need a little extra holiday spirit!
Tournament and event date: December, 10th 2022
More information and online signups are coming soon!
Captains Meeting: December, 9th 2022 @ 630p
To become a sponsor or donate items for raffles and give-aways, please contact Aubrie Menster at aubrie@ozellokeysmarina.com
Special thank you to our 2022 sponsors; this wouldn't be possible without you!
Phillips Auto Group (Presenting Sponsor)
Cajun Jimmy’s Seafood Seller (Grand Prize Sponsor)
Kane’s Cattle Co.
Extreme Decalz
Florida Insider Fishing Report
Shipyard Dog
Marker 48 Brewery
Ayinde Matthews State Farm
Kona Ice
Keys to Escape Vacation Rental
North Florida Aquatic Adventures
Bajio Sunglasses
DJ Trae Vance
Captain Gene Miller
Gilberts Hardware & General Store
Red Bull
Welding Willy
Nauti Buddha
Homosassa Printing
Florida Fishing Products
BUBBA Blade
NOTE: Below is the 2022 event details, payouts, and rules. Rules and times are subject to change.
Categories & Prizes
Redfish & Trout Combined;
1st place $3500 + Redbull Custom Trophy,
2nd place $750 + Half Day Charter with Captain Gene Miller
3rd place $500
Phillips Auto Group Surprise Category: $500
Entry Fee: $75 per angler
Vessels that can be used: Kayak, Paddle Board, Canoe or any man-powered vessel. No motors on any vessel. Only one (1) person per vessel.
How to win Redfish & Trout Combined Category: The tournament is going to be a point system based on biggest redfish (photo, 1 inch = 1 point) and heaviest combined weight (1 pound = 2 points) of 2 trout, both trout must be above 15” and under 19”. If the trout length exceeds or touches the 19" line it will be disqualified.
Example: If you catch a 30.5" Redfish and properly document it via a photo/video on an approved tournament measuring device, that's 30.5 points. If you catch two (2) trout, one (1) being 2lbs and the other being 3lbs, that's a total of 5 pounds which equals 10 points (2 points per pound). Add redfish points with trout points for a total of 40.5 points, and that's how the winner will be determined. Please see below another example;
25.75” Redfish = 25.75 points
4.9 pounds combined weight of 2 trout = 9.12 points
25.75 + 9.12= 34.87 total points
Tie breaker will be determined by the angler that weighed in first.
Captains Meeting: Friday, December 9th at 630 pm located at Ozello Keys Marina. If you are unable to attend the captain's meeting, please message us on Ozello Keys Marina's Facebook page or email us at ozellokeysmarina@gmail.com for instructions on how to attend the captain's meeting virtually and how to receive the tournament packet.
Tournament Date: Saturday, December 10th, from 7 am to 4 pm
(3) Launch Points: Ozello Keys Marina, Ozello Trail Community Boat Ramp, John Brown Boat Ramp.
Weigh-in: Ozello Keys Marina/weigh-in opens at 1 pm and closes at 4 pm
Rules:
—You must sign a liability waiver during registration. Under 18 years of age need a parent’s signature or they will not be allowed to compete.
—Vessels can enter the water no earlier than 7am. There will be tournament officials at each launch location completing a vessel checkout. Vessels that launch prior to 7 am will result in DQ.
—You must launch at the appropriate ramps during the tournament. Failure to do so will result in DQ.
—All state laws and any regulations specific to the body of water we are fishing must be followed, including PFD, whistle, and light rules. Fishing in areas deemed off-limits or not having a valid fishing license will result in disqualification.
—Only paddle or peddle-powered craft is allowed. No electric motors or sails are permitted. If any motor or sail is used, you will be disqualified.
—No Towing, unless injury, handicap, or loss of paddle/drive system. Towing without these reasons will result in the disqualification of all anglers involved.
—Live bait and artificial is permitted.
—No more than two lines in the water at one time. Trolling is permitted. More than 2 lines in the water will result in disqualification.
—Each angler must catch and land their fish inside their kayak without assistance. No wade or bank fishing. If caught wade fishing, or receiving assistance, you will be disqualified. You must be in your kayak when taking your picture and your kayak must be in the picture.
—Redfish will be measured to the nearest ¼ inch, last touched the line. If the fish is lying in between ¼ inch lines, it will count on the last line it touched.
— ENTIRE fish must be visible in the picture. If the head or tail is cut off or tampered with, fish will not be scored.
—-Your identifier must be present in the picture. No identifier, No fish!! TD must be able to distinguish the identifier that was given that day if only part is showing. The identifier will be issued the evening of the captain's meeting.
— The left eye of the fish must be in the photograph or the fish will not be scored.
— Measuring device must be approved by TD (you will be required to bring your measuring device with you to the Captains Meeting) it will be checked by the TD for use for the tournament, any device used that was not checked by the TD will result in the angler being disqualified.
— The left side of the fish must be facing up with nose against the 90-degree portion of the ruler. The tail can be pinched or in a natural position.
—If the tail is flipped up in the picture, the TD will make the ruling on the last touched line on the board.
—Trout can be brought in alive or in a cooler. Trout will be weighed by the weigh master.
—All trout weighed in must be less than the 19” over slot keep size.
—The weight of the trout will go towards overall points. EX: if trout weighs 3 pounds and 11 ounces, the ounces will be converted to points with this math (11/16) which would equal .69 with a total of 3.69 points then the total points of trout are doubled for a total of 7.38 points for a 3 pound, 11 ounce trout.
—It is regulated that you must fish at least 50 ft away from other tournament anglers at all times, and at no time may vessels come in contact with a tournament angler as this could result in disqualification at the tournament director's discretion. In case of an emergency where a vessel comes in contact with a participating angler due to an emergency, please call the tournament director to inform him of the situation. Please make your best effort not to cut anyone off. This is a courtesy rule.
—Any disputes about other anglers or tournament rulings must be submitted in writing prior to 4:30pm day of the tournament. Disputes must be accompanied with a $250 deposit. If claims are found to be true after the investigation by TD, the deposit will be returned in full. Remember, this is a tournament for fun and a good cause, don’t cheat and fish on.
Tournament Director: Gary Bartell 352.228.8095 gary@ozellokeysmarina.com
Tournament Committee;
Sean McDonnell
Billy Fender
John McCarthy
Breanna Bartell
Aubrie Menster