Any rules violation may result in automatic disqualification.

Good sportsmanship is expected of all individuals during the tournament. Conduct deemed disorderly by the Tournament Director may result in immediate disqualification.

All Federal, State, and local laws/ordinances will be observed.

Entry Fee 2021 = $350 (includes big fish pot) (Updated)

Registration is not complete until complete payment has been received.

The last chance to register for the tournament will be at the Captains’ Meeting on Friday, November 12th.  Only Cash will be accepted at the Captains’ Meeting registration.

Captains’ Meeting will be held in-person at Osborne Landing Park. In-person meeting attendance is Mandatory for at least one member of each team. However, meeting attendance by all anglers is highly encouraged, as in-person attendance is required for door prizes and other opportunities.  Additionally, the meeting will be streamed via FACEBOOK LIVE for those team members who cannot attend in person.

The main launch and weigh station will be Osborne Landing - 9530 Osborne Turnpike, Richmond, VA 23231. We fully expect to utilize multiple ramps as with the 2019 and 2020 tournaments.

1.  Safety is the number one priority! All vessels must be USCG compliant, and all participants must observe common boating and fishing safety protocols.

2. Teams will receive a tournament check-in chip that will include their boat number. Loss of these chips may result in disqualification.  Each team must turn in their Day 1 chip during Day 1 weigh-in hours to receive their Day 2 chips. Day 2 weigh-in chips must be turned in by 3:30 on Day 2.

3.  Tournament Fishing Hours: 6:00 am - 3:00 pm, both days. All participants must be in line / have turned in their chips by 3:30 pm each day.

4. Bait fishing prior to and after tournament fishing hours is allowed, but no fishing for catfish allowed between 6:00 pm on November 12th - 6:00 am on November 13th and again from 3:00 pm on November 13th to 6:00 am on November 14th.

5.  A limit of three (3) anglers is allowed per boat. One additional non-fishing guest may accompany the team.​

6.  All tournament boats must maintain a distance of 50 yards between each other.  No fishing from outside of the boat (bank fishing), no buddy fishing.  

7. Fish can only be caught by Rod and Reel method. No snagging/foul hooked fish allowed.

8. No chumming or fishing intentionally baited holes.

9.  All anglers must remain on the vessel the entire length of the tournament, medical and bathroom emergencies excepted. Non-Medical emergencies will be reviewed by the tournament committee for disqualification—The team must call the tournament director ahead of time to discuss.

10.  A maximum of 2 fish per boat will be weighed in for inclusion in total weights. Weighing a dead fish will result in disqualification.

11. This is a catch and release tournament. All boats must have functional live-wells and proper supplies/equipment to sustain the health of two large catfish.  All fish must be released and swim away.  Fish that do not swim away on their own will be considered dead and subject to rule 10 disqualification.

12.  Ties will be decided by the tournament committee.

13.  Any protests must be made before the Awards Ceremony begins (after the scales have been closed). The Tournament Director will not accept any protests thereafter.

14. All anglers are subject to a polygraph/lie detector test. No alcoholic beverages or controlled substances are allowed until after polygraph tests have been concluded each day or after deemed acceptable by the Tournament Director.

15.  Upon entry into the tournament, all participants are placed under the Waiver/Release for “The Kings of The James,” et al. (Read/Sign Waiver/Release at Captains' Meeting)

Tournament Boundaries:

The James River and her tributaries, East of the I-95 Bridge in Richmond and West of the Hwy 17 Bridge in Newport News.

Visit http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/licenses/ For Virginia Fishing License