Fort Walton Beach, Florida is an excellent vacation hub offering plenty of thrills and adventure. This Gulfside gem features gorgeous white sandy beaches, lovely state parks, and epic dolphin tours that bring you close to the Gulf’s famous bottlenose dolphins. Fort Walton Beach also hosts the Emerald Coast Open, the world’s biggest lionfish tournament, drawing participants from all over the country. Here’s more on this fascinating angling competition.
When Did the Emerald Coast Open Begin?
The Emerald Coast Open began in 2003 when a group based in Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort and Galati Yacht decided to introduce a big bucks tournament to Destin. Since its inception, the competition has witnessed a steady increase in participants, registering 80 teams or more participants over the last three years.
When Is the Tournament Taking Place?
2024’s Emerald Coast Open features two phases: the pre-tournament and the main tournament. The pre-tournament began from February 1st to May 16th, offering a simple angling escapade for anyone interested. After hunting for lionfish, drop your catch at specified locations, where you’ll receive two entries per fish. The main tournament takes place on May 17th and 18th, featuring teams of up to four who’ll go out for two days and harvest as much lionfish as possible. The final weigh-in is on the 19th, with the Emerald Coast Open Awards Ceremony scheduled for May 20th.
Where Is the Event Scheduled?
Fort Walton Beach will host 2024’s Emerald Coast Open.
What Are the Rules?
The entry fee for each participant is $100, with teams consisting of a maximum of four members. There will be a mandatory captain meeting at 7 PM on May 16th at AJ’s on the Harbor in Destin. If you can’t make it for the in-person meeting, tune into the live stream on Emerald Coast Open’s Facebook page. If you opt for the live stream meeting, kindly ensure that your team’s representative comments that they are watching. Registered teams who miss the obligatory captain’s meeting will not be allowed to participate. Upon registration, each team member will receive a packet containing a tournament T-shirt handed out after the captain’s meeting. If you can’t attend Thursday’s in-person meeting, you can pick up your packet after Sunday’s reward ceremony. Register by 7 PM on May 16th to qualify for any award or prize. After registration, you can’t change your team’s participants for any reason. You can register as a single-member team if you want to go it alone. Registration is open on the Emerald Coast Open website via an online system, with payment completion at the time of registration.
Which Fish Are Acceptable?
There are only two lionfish species that you can submit, including red lionfish (Pterois volitans) and devil firefish (Pterois miles). Previously caught or frozen catches will not be eligible during the weigh-in, although the rules require you to keep your lionfish catches on ice. All submissions must be whole (without missing tails or heads), and the staff will conduct fish size measurements from the snout to the tip of the tail, recorded in millimeters.
What Is the Scoring Procedure?
The teams must present their fish at the scoring station by 11 AM on May 19th, with all catches in coolers and adequately iced. Team captains must deliver their coolers to the scoring area, where a staff member will ascertain the number of each team’s coolers and put tape across the lid. Scoring station staff will then place the coolers in a specific location where they’ll measure and note the length of each catch. The weighmaster will then receive the final team scoresheet.
How Much Is The Prize Money?
Cash rewards depend on the final results, with first place receiving $10,000, second place $6,000, third place $4,000, fourth place $2,000, fifth place $1,500, sixth place $1,250, seventh place $1,000, eighth place $750, ninth place $500, and tenth place $250. Teams will also receive rewards for the greatest and smallest-sized catches, ranked first to tenth.
Book Your Fort Walton Beach Vacation Rental Early
Fort Walton Beach is one of Florida’s most premium vacation hubs, delivering thrills for you and your loved ones. If you’re an avid angler seeking the ultimate fishing escapade, 2024’s Emerald Coast Open offers a unique opportunity to experience one of the Gulf’s most exciting fishing tournaments and hopefully win some cash. As you plan for your Emerald Coast Open adventure, look to The Breakers of Fort Walton Beach for the best vacation rentals. We offer numerous top-notch rentals, including one- to three-bedroom properties for between four and eight guests. Our rentals feature ample amenities, including spacious living rooms, fully equipped kitchens, and plush bedrooms, delivering comfort and convenience. Contact us today to secure your Fort Walton Beach rental and enjoy the thrills of the Emerald Coast Open in the city’s most luxurious lodging.