Take Stock In Children Backcountry Challenge Rules and Registration

Awards
 
1. Awards will be given in the Adult division for the first, second, and third largest Redfish, Snook, and Trout.
 
2. Award will be given in the Artificial Lure Adult Subdivision for largest combined species.
 
3. Awards will be given in the Junior Division (13 to 17)  for the largest Redfish, Snook, and Trout.
 
4. Awards will be given in the Kids Division (12 and under) for the first, second, and third largest Trout.
 
5. Awards will be given to the  Adult and Youth Backcountry Champions for the non-pro angler with the largest combined length of 1 Redfish, 1 Snook, and 1 Trout. Must have all 3 species.
 
6. An award will be given to the Top Professional Angler in the Pro Division for the licensed guide with the largest combined length of 1 Redfish, 1 Snook, and 1 Trout. Must have all three species to qualify.
 
7. An award will be given to the Top Guide (Licensed Professional Guide NOT registered as a paid angler) for the largest combined length 1 Redfish, 1 Snook, and 1 Trout. Must have all three species to qualify – not necessarily caught by the same angler. Fish caught by anglers registered in the Pro Division will not count toward this award.
 
8. Participants only qualify for awards in the division they have entered. Junior or Kid anglers may enter a higher division by paying the higher fees.
 
Dates and Registration
CATCH & RELEASE FISHING 'ROUND THE CLOCK
Friday, September 25 through
Sunday, September 27, 2026
 
EVENT HEADQUARTERS
Elk's Club
Mile Marker 92 Bayside, Tavernier, FL
 
Kickoff Party
Friday, September 25 2026
Doc's Diner
MM 99.7 Key Largo
Cash Bar Opens at 5:00 pm
Registration/Appetizers at 5:30 pm
Captain/Anglers Meeting at 6:00 pm
 
Dinner and Awards Banquet
Sunday, September 27 2026
Elk's Club
Mile Marker 92.6 Bayside, Tavernier, FL
Festivities begin at 6:00 PM
Dinner catered by Conch House Restaurant
Silent & Live Auction
Winners Announced/Awards Given
 
Take Stock In Children
 
Take Stock in Children is a state-wide program that identifies economically disadvantaged 7th grade students who meet specific academic and behavioral criteria. We offer our students college scholarships, caring volunteer mentors and hope for a better life. Selected students receive a Florida Prepaid scholarship for two years at any of the 28 Florida Community Colleges, followed by two years at a State College or University. To be awarded their scholarships, students must stay in school, maintain good grades, exhibit good behavior, remain crime and drug free, and meet with their mentors. The volunteer mentors are a key component of the program, meeting with their student weekly for one hour on school grounds, during school hours. The Take Stock in Children program is the perfect example of a public-private partnership that truly works: All scholarship contributions raised locally are matched – dollar for dollar – by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation.  Our students have a 95% graduation rate state-wide.
www.takestockinchildren.org
 
Rules
  1. This is a catch and release tournament.  Anglers and guides must follow all Park and Sanctuary rules.
  2. Eligible species are Redfish, Snook, and Trout.  Only the largest fish of each species caught by an angler will be considered for an award.  
  3. IGFA International Angling Rules must be followed (www.igfa.org) Additionally, the angler must cast, hook, fight, and land or boat the fish without the aid of any person unless leadering or netting is necessary.  The max line test is 20lb unless fly fishing.  Any type of leader is permitted.
  4. Lines-in will immediately follow the end of Captain/Angler meeting on Friday September 25. Fishing is permitted day and night. 
  5. Anglers must leave from and fish anywhere within Monroe County where fishing is legally permitted.  
  6. Anglers competing in the Adult Artificial division must be fishing on a boat exclusively using artificial lurs unless otherwise approved by the committee and:
    - must have been caught using an artificial lur cast by the angler using a fly or spinning rod and retrieved by the angler's manipulation of the tackle
    -must not have been caught while chumming or trolling by boat
    -and must not use a lure "sweetened" by the addition of any natural boat, dead or alive
  7. Fishing results must be turned in by 4pm on Sunday, September 27.
  8. In the event of a tie, the winner will be determined by earliest recorded catch time.  
  9. Decisions by the Tournament Committee will be final.