1. General Information
This is a Catch-Photo-Record fishing tournament for individual anglers, held in the Port Royal Sound area of South Carolina, where fishing is legal. Refer to the map in Section 8 for the official boundaries.
Eligible fish must be caught in open navigational waters and estuaries. Eligible fish are not permitted to be caught from impoundments, salt ponds with dams or dykes, neighborhood lakes or areas with man-made restrictions to boat traffic.
The 2026 Port Royal Sound Inshore Slam Fishing Tournament is an online event run through the Angler’s Atlas website and the MyCatch mobile app. ALL fish caught during the tournament must be recorded through the MyCatch app for approval.
Anglers may record fish from 6:00 am EDT on Friday, September 25, 2026, until 6:00pm EDT on Sunday, October 04, 2026.
All fish entered for this event must be caught via angling methods using hook, line, rod, reel, live, or artificial bait. At no time will fish caught by non-angling methods (i.e. use of traps, trap nets, or cages) be allowed to be entered. Fish cannot be snagged, netted, gigged, speared, or otherwise caught. The usage of a landing net to land a hooked fish is allowed.
2. How to Register
To register, each individual angler must first create an Angler’s Atlas account by completing the following sign-up: https://www.anglersatlas.com/sign-up.
If you already have an account from a previous year’s tournament, you will need to log into the account to register.
Note: EACH ANGLER must have an account. If you are registering multiple people, you need to register them under their own account.
Next, on the Angler’s Atlas site, each angler must register for the 2026 Port Royal Sound Inshore Slam Fishing Tournament and pay the entry fee online HERE using a credit card or PayPal. Your spot is not reserved until payment has been received. If you need help with the registration process, please watch this short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7o3PzcIoGo4.
Anglers will then need to download the free MyCatch mobile app. The app is available for both iOS (Apple App Store) and Android (Google Play Store).
If you already have the MyCatch app installed on your phone, LOG OUT AND LOG BACK IN and download any available updates on the app or else it will not work properly during the Tournament.
Each angler will set up an account on the MyCatch app using the same login email and password that you used to set up your Angler’s Atlas account. For catches to be logged properly, you must use the same login email and password for both the Angler’s Atlas website and the MyCatch app.
Registration Fees:
Registration is $130/ adult and $50/ youth (15 years & younger). Register by August 10, 2026, to receive a discounted rate -- $100/ adults and $40/ youth.
Anglers registered by August 24, 2026, will receive a 2026 Inshore Slam long-sleeve shirt and angler bucket.
You will receive an automatic email confirming that you have entered the event and that your payment has been received.
You will receive an email from the Port Royal Sound Foundation with a request for your shirt size - please respond promptly.
Due to the nature of tournament fishing, no refunds will be issued, no exceptions. This is at the discretion of the Tournament Organizer.
It may take up to twelve hours for a new account to be activated, during which time anglers may not be able to submit their fish for entry, so be sure to register before the start of the event on September 25, 2026.
We recommend anglers practice using the app before the event begins. Here is a link to some helpful videos to familiarize yourself with the app.
3. Angler Qualifications
The 2026 Port Royal Sound Inshore Slam Fishing Tournament is open to all skill levels and ages.
It is recommended that anglers 15 and younger fish with an adult.
By law, anglers 16 years and older must have a valid South Carolina Saltwater fishing license or otherwise be exempt from needing one.
By participating in this event, your name, photos, and videos may be publicly visible.
Protecting anglers’ privacy is a priority, and any location data collected during the event will not be released to the public. Our promise to anglers is “Secret Fishing Spots Stay Secret”. See below for further details.
Anglers can only submit catches they have caught themselves. This is an individual tournament, so you cannot enter as a partnership or team, and under no circumstances can you share fish with any other angler. Anglers are free to fish alone or with other tournament or non-tournament anglers, but each registered angler may only enter their own fish on their own app.
All SCDNR Rules and Regulations must be followed. Each Angler is responsible for their own conduct. For up-to-date regulations and identification of South Carolina saltwater fish, use the Fish Rules App http://fishrulesapp.com. You can also find SCDNR’s saltwater fishing regulations at https://www.eregulations.com/southcarolina/fishing/finfish-size-catch-limits.
4. Measuring & Recording Catches
This is a Catch-Photo-Record event. All fish submitted in the MyCatch app MUST be photo-recorded. To be eligible for ALL prizes, Slam species must also be measured (see details below).
The 2026 Slam species are Red Drum (redfish), Flounder, and Sheepshead; however, there are prize categories that include ALL fish species.
Bull Drum (i.e., red drum over 32” in total length) DO NOT count towards the slam and do not qualify for any prizes. Bull Drum are spawning fish. Please do NOT target them.
Shark and Ray species should only be photo-recorded, not measured for largest fish prizes.
We encourage catch and release, but it is not mandatory. However, reporting whether the fish was kept or released is a required question when recording your catch on the MyCatch app (for data purposes only).
To collect accurate data (and for the best chance to win prizes), we request that anglers photo-record EVERY fish caught in the MyCatch app.
Each fish must be entered only once.
All anglers must have GPS/ location services enabled on their cell phone for their catches to qualify. Your location data will be protected. For more information, see section 10.
Fish must be recorded in the MyCatch app as soon as possible after they are caught at the fishing site. Geotagged locations will NOT be made publicly available (see Section 10 for more information).
NON-SLAM Species
In the interest of returning fish to the water as quickly as possible and minimizing fish handling, non-slam species catches do NOT need to be measured, only photo-recorded; this includes all shark and ray species.
Photos should be taken with the right side of the fish down to allow for species identification verification. The photo can be taken underwater, held at the water's surface, etc. as long as the fish is visible and can be identified.
Photos of non-slam species can still have a hook or lip grabber in the mouth, but NOTHING in the gills or eyes.
Data collected on non-slam species is important for tracking the presence and absence of species, so accurate species identification is important. Please indicate the species in your submission.
SLAM Species:
For a SLAM Species catch to qualify, a photograph of the fish with a measuring device must be taken using the MyCatch app (ie, photos cannot be uploaded from a photo gallery or other source).
When taking a measurement photo, the hook, your fingers, or any equipment (such as lip grabbers) must not be in the gills or mouth of the fish. Anything in the gills or mouth of the fish will disqualify that fish.
All fish must be measured with the right side of the fish down.
The entry photo must be taken from a bird’s-eye view looking down on the fish with the head and tail clearly visible. The photo should show beyond the head and tail; do not cut them off.
Fish that SHOULD be measured: all Slam Species – Red Drum, Flounder, and Sheepshead -- should be measured for length. Additionally, any non-slam species you think might qualify for largest fish (i.e. tarpon, tripletail, grouper, jacks, cobia) should be recorded. Shark and ray species do not qualify for largest fish prize categories.
Bull Drum (i.e., red drum over 32” in total length) do NOT count towards the slam and do not qualify for any prizes. Bull Drum are spawning fish. Please do NOT target them.
Sharks and Rays will NOT qualify for largest fish category prizes. Do NOT measure sharks and rays. They should only be photo recorded and released as quickly and safely as possible.
How to Measure:
Total Length Measurement: to measure your fish, Total Length is measured from the tip of the snout or jaw of the fish (with the mouth preferably closed), to the tip of the tail (excluding any filaments), with the tail pinched to the width of the measuring board. The nose or jaw of the fish must align with the start or 0” mark on all measuring devices, and the total length is recorded where the longest part of the tail (excluding any filaments) crosses the measurement line on the measuring device. It is recommended to position a solid edge or "bump" lined up with the 0" mark on the ruler to clearly indicate that the measurement starts at 0”. See SC Regulations on fish measurement regulations. See diagram below.
Measurement exception: Fork Length species typically caught in South Carolina include Jack species, Tarpon, Spanish Mackerel, and King Mackerel. If caught, and you think the fish will qualify for the longest fish prize category, these species should be measured using their Fork Length, the measurement from the tip of the snout to the fork (or center) of the tail fin. See diagram below.
Measuring Rules:
The fish’s mouth is preferably closed, with the snout or jaw of the fish visibly touching the bump.
The fish must be placed on top of the board/ surface.
The fish tail is pinched (naturally)
The head AND tail of the fish must be visible in the measurement photo.
The photo should show beyond the head and tail; do not cut them off.
Measuring Devices:
It is recommended that you use a commercially sold ‘bump board’ that clearly shows the length of the fish. See picture below.
You can also use a SC DNR 37” fish ruler sticker adhered to a flat surface with a solid edge or "bump" lined up with the 0" mark on the ruler. SCDNR fish-ruler stickers and measurement instructions will be available at the Captain's Meeting.
If you use a metal tape measure, the tape measure must be beside the fish -- not under or on top of the fish. As well, the fish’s nose and the start of the tape must be aligned by placing both against a solid edge. See picture below.
Fabric/ Soft/ Flexible measuring tapes are not allowed in this event.
Sliding/ Expandable bump boards are not allowed if the fish passes the expandable section.
Penalties for Incorrect Measurement of Slam Species: If an entry submission is received that does not follow the measuring rules, the fish may still be approved; however, a length penalty will be applied. The penalty will apply to the observable length of the fish at the discretion of the Organizer. The set penalty amount will be 2 inches. The entry may also be rejected. In the event of an unclear measurement, the Tournament Organizer reserves the right to adjust entries and request a picture of your measuring device to confirm an accurate measurement.
A photo that does not clearly show the overall length of the fish described will be rejected. More than one attempt to get a valid scoring photo is allowed. The app will prompt you to either accept or retake each photo.
The hook, your fingers, or any equipment (such as lip grabbers) must not be in the gills or mouth of the fish. Anything in the gills or mouth of the fish will disqualify that fish.
Kept or Released: For ALL fish, you MUST record if you released or kept the fish in the entry procedure. This will be prompted near the bottom of the entry screen and will be titled “Released – Yes No”. Catch and release is encouraged but not required.
Hero Shot: During the entry process, a second photo called the ‘Hero Shot’ will be prompted. This is an optional field for a photo of the angler holding or releasing the fish using proper handling techniques. The Hero Shot is optional, but there is an associated prize category. Photos are encouraged for the Tournament Organizer and Host to share on social media.
Video Release: You will be prompted with a third option to submit a video of the fish release. This is also an optional field, but there is a related prize category. The video must show the fish being safely released using proper handling techniques and swimming away.
5. Uploading your Recorded Catches
During the event, the MyCatch app will function without Wi-Fi or cell service. If you submit a fish without a strong enough signal, the app will notify you that the fish has been recorded and will sync up to the server once you return to cell service. Every fish you log (whether in good service or not) will appear in your app’s Log View (2nd icon from the left at the bottom). If you have fish “awaiting sync,” it will indicate this here. The submissions will come through on their own once you return to cell service, but you can help speed up the process by “manually syncing” those pending logs once you’re within service (see how here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YU-AwLc8OLY). The logs are time, date, and location stamped to the moment they are taken, so even if the submission is delayed, the time on that submission will still be accurate. All catches must be synced no later than Sunday, October 4, 2026, at 6pm EDT.
Recorded and submitted fish DO NOT appear on the leaderboards until the Organizer has approved them, so don’t expect to see them reflected on the leaderboard immediately. If you want to ensure that your fish was recorded successfully, check the Log View of your app (2nd icon from the left at the bottom). If your fish is there, it logged successfully. The Catch Approval Team reviews and judges all fish. Once a submission has been approved, it will appear on the appropriate leaderboard(s).
Fish will be approved for length only to the last physical mark crossed. Event organizers reserve the right to adjust entries.
IMPORTANT: Arguing against or trying to attribute a reason as to why any of the above rules could not be followed will have ZERO bearing on the ruling of a rejected fish. NO exceptions will be made. It is the angler’s responsibility to review their photo thoroughly and submit an acceptable one following the above rules.
Approved submissions remain subject to review by tournament organizers 24 hours after the completion of the tournament.
A great resource on how to complete an entry is this MyCatch video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fS65wMakQHA.
6. Proper Fish Handling
The following are not rules but suggestions for proper fish handling:
We strongly encourage the conservation and proper handling of all fish caught. To ensure the best chances of survival for all released fish, all participants should handle fish carefully and return it to the water as quickly as possible.
We encourage catch and release and only taking what you need.
Whenever feasible, keep the fish in the water while handling.
We encourage anglers to use barbless, non-offset, non-stainless circle hooks to reduce gut hooking the fish. NOTE: Refer to new SC rules around legal tackle for red drum.
If a swallowed hook cannot be easily removed, cut the line as close to the hook as possible - the hook can break down.
Have the camera ready before landing the fish to minimize air exposure.
Hold large fish horizontally and support their bodies to avoid damage to the internal organs. Do not hold or support the fish by its gills, gill covers, or eyes.
Use wet hands when handling a fish. Handle the fish quickly and as little as possible.
When releasing a fish, never throw it into the water. Set it in the water and let it swim away under its own power.
For more information about proper fish handling, visit SCDNR’s guide at https://www.dnr.sc.gov/marine/tagfish/pdf/catchandreleasebrochure.pdf.
7. Tournament Location and Times
Tournament water body boundaries are within the water confines of the Port Royal Sound (South Carolina) Area. See the map attached for boundaries.
Eligible fish must be caught in open navigational waters and estuaries. Inshore fish are not permitted to be caught from impoundments, salt ponds with dams or dykes, neighborhood lakes or areas with manmade restrictions to boat traffic.
The tournament runs from Friday, September 25, 2026, at 6am EDT through Sunday, October 4, 2026, at 6pm EDT.
All catches recorded between the start and end times must be synchronized with the Angler’s Atlas server within the event times to qualify. Any fish synced to the app after the event concludes will not be judged. It is the angler’s responsibility to ensure they have full cell service and that all fish are synced before the deadline.
Once the tournament concludes, a full review process will begin between the Organizer and the Tournament Team. Following this review process, the results will be final. Results will be announced on October 6, 2026, at the Awards Dinner.
At the Organizer's discretion, tournament days may be shortened, postponed, or canceled due to unsafe weather or water conditions. Due to the nature of tournament fishing, no refunds will be issued - no exceptions.
8. Map
This tournament is being held in the Port Royal Sound area of South Carolina, where it is legal to fish. Refer to the map attached to this event for the official boundaries. Rivers and creeks listed below are WITHIN the boundaries unless mentioned otherwise.
Northern boundary - Dawson’s Landing in the Coosawhatchie River across to the northern end of Bray’s Island, Huspah Creek to the creek fork at the southern end of Bull Point
Western boundary – includes Knowles Branches, Coles Creek, Euhaw Creek, Hazards Creek, Okatie River, and May River
Southwest boundary — western end of Daufuskie Island; the saltwater section of the New River
Southeastern boundary - up to one mile off the shores of Hilton Head, Bay Point, Pritchards, Fripp, Hunting, and Harbor Islands
Northeastern boundary - includes Whale Beach and the Coosaw River up to Parrot Creek, including Morgan Island, along St. Helena Island, and just outside of Harbor River. St Helena Sound is NOT within the tournament boundary.
Eligible fish must be caught in open navigational waters and estuaries. Inshore fish are not permitted to be caught from impoundments, salt ponds with dams or dykes, neighborhood lakes or areas with manmade restrictions to boat traffic.
9. Awards & Prizes
A full list of prizes is available at http://www.PortRoyalSoundFoundation.org/inshore-slam and will be available at the Captain’s Meeting. Aswell, refer to the list below.
An angler can only win one prize per category.
In the case of a tie, the tie break will go to the person who entered the tied fish first. If a tie still exists, the tie break will go to the angler with the next largest catch size in the category.
Cash prize amounts are based on a full field of 250 anglers. If the tournament doesn’t fill, the payout percentages for each paid prize position will remain the same.
Cash prizes will be awarded via check to the name registered for the tournament. Winners who are awarded $600 or more will be required to provide a W-9 to the Port Royal Sound Foundation and will receive a 1099 in January 2027.
Awards will be announced on or by Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at the Awards Dinner. Anglers who do not attend the Awards Dinner will be contacted directly using the contact information provided in the tournament registration process.
Anglers have until November 6, 2026, to claim their prize. Anglers who do not claim their prize by this deadline will forfeit their prize.
10. Data Privacy and Fisheries Research
“Secret Fishing Spots Stay Secret” — This is our primary commitment to anglers who report their catches through MyCatch. So, what does this mean in practice?
Angler’s Atlas does not release MyCatch GPS data to the public. It is treated as confidential and is provided to fisheries researchers under strict conditions.
Every research team we work with must sign a data-sharing agreement that sets the terms of use for the data.
Data is anonymized before it is provided to the researcher.
Researchers agree not to share the data with anyone else.
Researchers cannot use the data for any purpose other than the research specified in the agreement.
Exact location data cannot be published as part of scientific research. Instead, it must be generalized to a larger region so the location cannot be reverse-engineered.
Angler’s Atlas may release data to a law enforcement agency if compelled to do so under court order.
These data privacy rules are designed to protect our anglers’ private data, conserve the fisheries, and make sure we maintain a trusting relationship with our anglers into the future. If anyone has any questions, please feel free to reach out to Angler’s Atlas President directly by email ([email protected]).
11. Angler Agreement
By registering and participating in the 2026 Port Royal Sound Inshore Slam Fishing Tournament, all participants agree to abide by the rules and regulations they have received as set out in these tournament event rules.
The Tournament Team, hosts, promoters, sponsors, and organizers assisting in the tournament operation are not responsible for the death, injury, damage, liability, theft, fire, or any loss to any contestants/anglers entered in the 2026 Port Royal Sound Inshore Slam Fishing Tournament.
The Tournament Team, hosts, promoters, sponsors, and organizers assisting in the tournament operation are not responsible for alerting contestants/anglers entered in the 2026 Port Royal Sound Inshore Slam Fishing Tournament of unsafe weather or unsafe fishing conditions.
All questions or concerns regarding the rules of this tournament should be directed to the Tournament Organizer which can be reached by email at [email protected] (please include the name of the event in your email). Their decision will be final in all cases. No other person can be considered a spokesperson for the rules during the tournament.
The interpretation and enforcement of the rules is at the sole discretion of the Tournament Organizer. The Tournament Organizer reserves the right to change rules up to the start of the event; however, once it is live, no rules will be altered or added. The Organizer may impose sanctions as deemed appropriate, including but not limited to disqualification, forfeiture of prizes, and prohibition from competing in future tournaments. All decisions made by the Tournament Organizer are final.
Abuse of tournament officials and volunteers will not be tolerated.
Any angler found to be cheating, breaking the law, or disobeying the rules will be disqualified from the tournament. Failure to comply with any tournament rules may result in disqualification and removal from the tournament, as determined by the tournament officials. The right to refuse sale and/or revoke a competition entry to anyone is hereby reserved. The Tournament Organizer also reserves the right to ban anglers from competing in future events.
Any angler has the right to protest another angler by contacting the Tournament Organizer by emailing [email protected], and this must be completed and presented within one hour of the tournament's close. The Tournament Organizer’s decision will be final in all cases. A $100.00 protest fee must accompany the protest. The fee will be refunded if the protest is deemed valid.
In the event of disqualification, any paid entry fees will be forfeited and not refunded.
We intend to provide an honest, sportsmanlike tournament. In the interest of good sportsmanship, anglers are reminded that the spirit of the rule will prevail in all judgments.
All participants are expected to adhere to high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy, safety, and environmental conservation. Any participant who displays poor sportsmanship, violates these rules, or brings unfavorable publicity to the Port Royal Sound Inshore Slam Fishing Tournament, its Tournament Team, host, organizer, volunteers, sponsors, and/or the sport of fishing, could be disqualified.
Participants are responsible for their own safety, actions, and property at all times.
All photo and video submissions may be used by MyCatch, Angler's Atlas, and the Port Royal Sound Foundation.
Port Royal Sound Foundation employees are not eligible to participate in this tournament.
12. Liability Waiver and Assumption of Risk
By registering for and participating in this event, participants acknowledge that fishing and boating activities involve inherent risks, including but not limited to injury, illness, death, property damage, adverse weather, water hazards, equipment failure, and the actions of other participants.
Participants voluntarily assume all risks associated with participation in this event and related activities.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, participants hereby release, waive, and discharge Angler’s Atlas, MyCatch, event organizers, sponsors, partners, volunteers, and their respective officers, directors, employees, and agents from any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, or expenses arising out of or related to participation in the event, including claims arising from negligence.
Participants agree to indemnify and hold harmless the above parties from any claims brought by third parties arising from the participant’s actions or conduct during the event.
Participants are solely responsible for their own safety, equipment, compliance with all laws and regulations, and for securing appropriate insurance coverage if desired.
In consideration of the acceptance of this registration, I, the undersigned by virtue of agreeing, assume full responsibility for any damage, injury or accident that may occur during or related to the event, and I hereby release, hold harmless, and indemnify Angler's Atlas, Port Royal Sound Foundation, and all sponsors, promoters, or other persons and entities associated with the event from all claims, loss, injury, damage, action, or demands. Further, I hereby grant full permission to any and all of the foregoing photographs, videotapes, or other records of this event. By registering for this tournament, I acknowledge that I have read this document in its entirety, and by registering I agree to this statement and agree to abide by all tournament rules.
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