Rules

How it All Works…

The Short Version

  1. Join PicAndRelease.com for free.
  2. Look at the schedule to find a tournament you want to participate in.
  3. Register for a tournament and download your Tournament Bib.
  4. Go to your favorite fishing spot and fish.
  5. Take 2 pictures of your catch according to Pic and Release’s rules.
  6. Email your photos to contest@PicAndRelease.com and keep an eye on the leader board to check the unofficial results.

When the tournament is complete, Pic and Release validates the photos and posts the official results. All money winners will receive their check(s) within 30 days.
Please make sure that you have read and understand the entire official rules before you compete. If you have any questions, email us at info@PicAndRelease.com.

Official Rules & Regulations

(What the lawyers make us put in)

General

To be eligible for prizes you must register as a Pic and Release, LLC member prior to participating in a Pic and Release, LLC Tournament. The individual listed as the “Registered Angler” must catch fish. The registered Pic and Release, LLC angler is verifying that the photos that they upload are theirs and not someone else’s. All materials submitted, unless noted otherwise, become the property of Pic and Release, LLC.

Winners will be ranked according to length validated by Pic and Release, LLC. The winners will be announced within 48 hours (excluding weekends and holidays) of the conclusion of the tournament. Cash prizes will be awarded thereafter by check. All cash prizes are paid within 30 (thirty) days of the completion of the tournament.

Each winning entry is validated by Pic and Release, LLC and all decisions are final. Participants may be required to provide additional information if requested by Pic and Release, LLC (including, but not limited to, additional images from the same camera that was used for your tournament photos). Pic and Release, LLC reserves the right to reject or accept any entry. Any falsification of information provided by the registered angler will lead to disqualification. Failure to comply with these rules will result in forfeiture of prizes. Additionally, you may be subject to prosecution under local state/provincial and federal laws.

Participants & Eligibility

Participation is open to Pic and Release, LLC legal citizens of the United States of America That are 18 years of age and older. Participants must provide proof of age and residency. Pic and Release, LLC reserves the right to reject any entry which they feel is not in the best interest of the tournaments. Final Pic and Release, LLC tournament eligibility and Pic and Release authorization will be determined only by Pic and Release, LLC. Persons employed by Pic and Release, LLC and its affiliated companies are not eligible for prizes.

Tournament Bib

The Tournament bib marathon style race bib that will have the Pic and Release logo on it along with a unique, seven digit alphanumeric code, which is randomly generated for each tournament. The bibs are emailed at midnight EST, if you have registered prier to the start of the tournament.

The whole printout should not be shown, fold the page in half, where indicated, and show the side with the logo and alphanumeric code.

The Tournament bib must be clearly visible in your photo of the “Fish with Measuring Device” as it will be used to validate your catch.

Safety

Safe boating must be observed at all times. During competition each participant is required to comply with all U.S. Coast Guard regulations, Wildlife Management regulations, and all other applicable laws and regulations.

Fish

  • Only your longest fish, per tournament is eligible for prizes. Should you wish to upgrade your catch it will replace any existing fish you have previously entered for that tournament.
  • You can enter multiple tournaments.
  • You are judged on the LENGTH of the fish and NOT the weight.
  • All fish must be caught alive using legal angling methods.
  • Anglers must abide by all federal, state and local rules and regulations.
  • Absolutely no fish caught in fish hatchery waters, fish culture stations, “Fish & Pay” Lakes, private ponds or fishing preserves may be submitted. Additionally, no fish captured using unconventional methods is eligible.
  • Fish showing signs of improper handling will be disqualified.

Permitted Fishing Methods

All fish must be caught by hook and line, with live or artificial bait (UNLESS the tournament, in which you register, is a LURES ONLY tournament). Any fish that shows signs of mishandling, mistreatment, gigging, spearing or other methods of catching fish other than hook and line will be disqualified. PicAndRelease.com is a proud supporter of catch and release fishing, and we require fish to be alive when photographed. For further examples on how to properly handle and release your catch, please visit http://catchandrelease.org/handling.shtml. Absolutely no fish caught in fish hatchery waters or fish culture stations will qualify. We carefully examine every photo for signs of spearing or gigging.

Measuring Device

All fish measurements taken must use PicAndRelease.com approved measuring device. This device must be displayed clearly in your photo of the “Fish with Measuring Device”. An approved device includes, a Florida Sportsman Law Stick or Florida Sportsman/Shallow Water Angler Law Sticker, Florida Pro Guide sticker, Heywood’s Big Fish Outfitters sticker and board, Rapala 60″ Magnum Folding Ruler, or standard aluminum measuring device such as a Check-It-Stik or Gator Grip Golden Rule. Examples of Approved devices are shown below. (ADD PHOTO OF APPROVED MEASURING DEVICES)

PicAndRelease.com may request a digital image of the measuring device and reserves the right to verify measuring devices.

PicAndRelease.com requires in multi-fish tournaments that the same measuring device be used throughout the tournament. PicAndRelease.com, at its sole discretion will disqualify anyone suspected of using an inaccurate measuring device; we will disqualify anyone using a false measuring device. Champions may be asked to submit a digital image their measuring device, used in the tournament, next to US quarter for verification.

NOTE: If you use a Florida Sportsman law stick/sticker, or if you use a contractor grade self-retracting tape ALL THE NUMBERS ON THE DEVICE must be visible in the photo. It is important when taking photos that the measuring device be placed above or below the fish. Do Not place the fish on top of the measuring device.

Measuring Fish

Length is calculated from the tip of the nose (for Redfish) or the bottom lip (for Speckled Trout, Flounder, Snook, and Largemouth Bass) to the tip of the tail (tail may be pinched for Redfish, Snook, and Largemouth Bass), with the fish lying on a flat surface. PicAndRelease.com takes measurements according to MyFWC.com. For Freshwater fish visit http://www.myfwc.com/RECREATION/FW_Fish_Measurements.htm

For Saltwater fish visit http://www.myfwc.com/RULESANDREGS/Saltwater_Regulations_Measurement.htm

If you use a Florida Sportsman law stick/sticker ALL THE NUMBERS ON THE DEVICE must be visible in the photo. It is important when taking photos that the measuring device be placed above or below the fish. Do not place the fish on top of the ruler (unless you are using a hard-board measuring device)

Camera Specifications & Settings

Camera Specifications:

  • 4 Mega Pixel – minimum.
  • No Cell phone cameras. No video cameras.

Camera Settings

Most digital cameras have three important settings:

  • Resolution: File size must be set to the largest size.
  • File Type: Must be set to JPEG.
  • Quality: Must be set to high.

In addition:

  • No image manipulation is allowed!
  • Images must be uploaded to Pic and Release, LLC in the unedited JPEG format in which they were captured.
  • All images must be clear and of good quality.

NOTE: It is recommended that you take multiple photos and choose the best one to upload to ensure you have a photo that will work. They may not be edited in any way. All images MUST show the fish clearly. Both images MUST taken with the same camera. Pic and Release, LLC reserves the right to reject and/or disqualify images of poor quality.

Photos

  • Your fish must be alive when measured and photographed.
  • Using your digital camera, you are required to take one photograph showing the “Fish with Measuring device” and another photograph showing “Fish with Angler” (see below).
  • Both photographs that are emailed to Pic and Release, LLC for any individual entry must come from the same camera.

Photo 1 (Fish with Measuring device):

Your fish lying flat with a measuring device above or below the fish, clearly indicating the length of the fish and clearly displaying the Tournament bib.

  • You must take the photograph from directly above and centered on the fish.
  • All photographs must be clear.
  • The fish must be lying down on a flat surface.
  • The fish should not be stretched, bent, or manipulated in any way to enhance the fish length.
  • The fish must be visible from tip to tail. Any part of the fish not visible in the picture will not count as part of the length.
  • The measuring device must be clearly visible and must be placed above or below the fish as shown in the example below. Entries with the measuring device where the measuring device is not clearly visible may be disqualified.
  • Total Length is measured from the most forward point of the head, with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail while the fish is lying on its side. Pic and Release, LLC goes by the FWC standard “total length” measuring of saltwater and freshwater fish.
  • There are proper and improper ways to measure fish. Below are the approved methods to measure fish for the purpose of Pic and Release, LLC.

Photo 2 (Fish with Angler):

You, holding your fish horizontally and chest high and as close to your body as possible.

  • The picture must be close enough to ensure the fish fills most of the frame.
  • You must be facing forward with your eyes open and clearly visible. Sunglasses are NOT allowed!

Pic and Release, LLC uses the latest digital forensics software. This software is based on counterfeit digital image detection and is in use by top law enforcement agencies around the country and the world. Pic and Release’s measuring technology is used to validate winners in the tournaments.

It is very important that you take proper photos. The judging committee will review all of the photos to verify angler reported results. PicAndRelease.com staff will have final judgment on the lengths and will modify all inaccurate results. Fish are judged with an accuracy of 1/10th of an inch.

No image editing is allowed! Violators will be caught and disqualified. PicAndRelease.com promotes Catch-Photo-Release fishing and requires the fish to be alive when photographed. A lot can be told from a photograph, and we have trained eyes looking for specific clues. Fish that has been in a cooler/freezer for a while (aka “dead fish”) can be spotted very easily, so please don’t do it. When the photos are taken, the fish must be alive. After the photos are taken, there is nothing we can do to prevent anglers from keeping legal fish. We promote catch and release, but we understand that anglers fish for food as well as sport.

Email Images

Email BOTH the “Fish with Measuring Device” and the “Fish with Angler” to contest@picandrelease.com prior to midnight on the last day of the tournament.

Verification of Photos

Pic and Release, LLC is not just 2 guys with a laptop. Our staff has had years of experience in photo-tournaments. They have been trained in the digital forensics field and know how to determine a fake. We know what to look for within the metadata, and we use multiple techniques and software in determining the authenticity of the photos. We require all photos to be clear, and of the highest quality for these reasons. We examine each photo carefully down to every pixel. We do not tolerate fabrication. Any photos that are edited, touched-up, or tampered with will be immediately disqualified, and your membership to the site will be canceled. Cheaters will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of state and federal laws.

Prizes

All prize money may be subject to federal and state taxes. Pic and Release, LLC assumes no responsibility for failure to adequately report your winnings.

Federal & State Regulations

All participants are required to abide by all federal, state laws and game regulations. All fish must be caught alive in a legal and sporting manner, by proper angling methods.

Ties

PicAndRelease.com staff has experience in photo tournaments, and we understand that ties do occur. In the event of a tie, the winner of goes to the angler that submitted their catch first. Meaning, it goes to the first angler who uploads their photos and has it verified by our staff. It is vitally important that your photo is well taken, the measuring device is clearly visible, and the entire fish can be clearly viewed. Blurry photos will not be accepted.

Protest

All protests must be submitted by email to protest@picandrelease.com within 24 hours after the final tournament standings have been posted. A $100 online contesting fee will be required. All claims and/or disputes will be examined, and all decision rendered by Pic and Release, LLC will be final. Pic and Release, LLC reserves the right to refuse any application. Participants that refuse to cooperate will be disqualified. If the decision of the protest is ruled in your favor the $100 fee will be returned.

Cancellation

Pic and Release, LLC reserves the right to add, delete, or modify the list of eligible fish, enhance, change, alter, or terminate the tournaments at any time.

General Release

Fishing presents hazards at any time: weather, faulty equipment and poor seamanship, to name a few. As a condition of entering the Tournament the participant fully indemnifies Pic and Release, LLC and all it’s, employees, directors, representatives and agents.

Refunds

PicAndRelease.com does not issue refunds for any circumstances, however if you cannot participate in a tournament that you registered for you may request it by email at least 12 hours before the start of the tournament and you can use your registration fee for another tournament within 6 months. You cannot get a refund after the tournament you are registered for has begun.

Modifications

These Rules may be amended or modified by Pic and Release, LLC in its sole discretion at any time. Any such amendments will be posted to this page and will apply to any transactions and events that occur after the effective date thereof. It is your responsibility to review this page from time to time for such amendments.