Tournament Rules
OFFICIAL RULES
1 SPORTSMANSHIP: Any participant who displays poor sportsmanship, violates these rules, or violates any
local, state or federal laws is subject to disqualification.
2 SAFETY: Safe boating practices must be in effect at all times. Drunkenness on the part of any participant will
not be tolerated. Please observe all Coast Guard regulations.
3. ELIGIBILITY: Only a person that is at least 21 years of age is eligible to participate and attend the Houma
Oilman’s Fishing Invitational. Spouses, children, or other dependents of participants are eligible to participate.
NOTE: In addition to the general eligibility requirements noted above, eligibility of sponsors and participants
will be decided by the H.O.F.I. Screening committee in its sole discretion and based upon criteria of its choosing
on a case by case basis. If you have any questions regarding eligibility of a sponsor or participant, call (985) 223-
3849. All decisions of the screening committee are final.
4. FRAUDULENT ENTRIES: Sponsors are responsible for eligibility of participants. Any sponsor
submitting a fraudulent entry will face disciplinary action as determined by the board.
5. REGISTRATION: All sponsors need to present names of participants to the screening committee by April 15,
2025.
• Upon approval of eligibility, participants name will be forwarded for his or her badge to be printed.
• Each registration application must have participant’s full legal name, participant's employer, employer's
phone number, sponsor, and drivers license number.
• A badge is non-transferable after registration. Any participant found transferring his badge to another
non-registered party will be prohibited from fishing in future H.O.F.I. events.
• Participant shall have badge and drivers license in hand upon arrival at main entrance of the pavilion.
• The badge will be the only way into the pavilion. If lost, only extreme cases will come before a selective
committee for scrutiny.
• Registration times are:
Thursday - 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Friday - 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Saturday - 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
6. ENTRIES: All sponsorships must be paid by January 31, 2026 to be guaranteed participation in 2026.
The number of participants in the tournament will be limited. Because this is an invitational tournament
it gives the board of directors the right to screen participants for eligibility consistent with paragraph 3.
7. SPONSORSHIPS: Sponsorships for the 2026 Invitational will be $1,000.00 each. Each Sponsorship
includes six (6) entries and $100 door prize. After purchase of sponsorship, each additional entry if available,
will be $150.00 each. All sponsor company names will be displayed on the sponsorship board on the main
stage.
8. FOOD/DRINK SPONSORSHIPS: Food/Drink sponsorships are available on a limited basis for $750.00.
Sponsorships must be paid by January 31, 2026 to set up in the pavilion in the provided space and will receive
ten (10) fishing entries and 4 worker’s passes and $100 door prize. Food/Drink sponsors will be required to
provide free food or approved products both nights. Food/Drink sponsors will also be given acknowledgment
on the sponsor board.
9. DOOR PRIZES: Door prizes will be worth approximately $100.00. Your company will be identified as the
sponsor of that prize. You may donate your own prize or submit payment for $100.00 and Houma Oilman’s
Fishing Committee will purchase a prize in your company’s name. Prizes will be given out on Friday
beginning at 7:00 PM and Saturday night at 6:00 PM. Winner must be present. All applicable taxes apply
to winner.
10. BOUNDARIES: Louisiana state waters and offshore waters.
11. TACKLE: Artificial, cut and/or live bait may be used. Only rod and reel outfits may be used. Trolling is
permitted.
12. FISH CATEGORIES:
FRESHWATER: Bass (3 Places)
Freshwater Catfish (3 Places)
INSHORE: Rat Red (3 Places)
Speckled Trout (3 Places)
Drum (3 Places)
Flounder (3 Places)
Sheepshead (3 Places)
Sea Cat (3 Places)
OFFSHORE: Red Snapper (3 Places)
Cobia (3 Places)
Mangrove Snapper (3 Places)
BLUE WATER: Tuna - any kind (3 Places)
BIGGEST LEGAL FISH OF ANY KIND - Other than category (1 Place)
EACH PARTICIPANT CAN WIN ONLY 1 PLACE PER CATEGORY.
13. FISHING HOURS: Fishing hours will begin 12:01 a.m. Friday morning, May 29, 2026 and conclude at 5:00
p.m. on Saturday, May 30, 2026. It is the responsibility of each participant to understand and abide by the
prescribed fishing hours and weight-in times, as they will be strictly enforced. Official time will be kept by the
weigh-in committee at the weigh-in site.
14. DAILY SCALE WEIGH-IN HOURS:
Friday from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Fish will be weighed and returned. The Houma Oilman’s shall not retain any fish
15. TIES: In the event of a tie in any category, the first fish weighed will prevail. All decisions by the LA. Dept. of
Wildlife & Fisheries agent/weigh master are final.