How to Enter
Eligibility
All saltwater anglers are eligible except:
- Captains or mates of for-hire vessels or shore guides while under charter.
- Those actively engaging in commercial fishing during a trip.
- Persons convicted of violating fishery laws or regulations or who have had administrative permit sanctions for violations of fishery laws or regulations within five (5) years of the Derby year.
Derby Rules
- Anglers age 16 and older must possess a Massachusetts Recreational Saltwater Fishing Permit (or a Recreational Saltwater Permit from NH, RI, or CT).
- All entries must be submitted on an official entry form (online form or printed PDF).
- Mailed entries must be received within 30 days of catch and be postmarked no later than December 10.
- Anglers may submit multiple entries, but may earn only one pin per species for both the Weigh-In and Catch & Release Divisions.
- All qualifying entries must be photographed with a side-view of the fish on a clearly discernable measuring or weighing device.
- Fish may be weighed at a participating Tackle Store or by an angler using one of the three approved weighing devices (see How to Weigh Your Catch).
- Only fish that are being retained may be entered in the Weigh-In Division. Striped Bass are not eligible for the Weigh-In Division.
- All fish must be caught on rod and reel or hand line and in a sporting manner. Powered reels may not be used1.
- Fish must be caught in Massachusetts waters or first landed in a Massachusetts port.
- Junior categories apply to anglers age 15 or younger.
- Protests of catch must be notarized and submitted in writing within two weeks of any alleged violation of Derby rules. The Derby Coordinator may request additional information at any time and for any reason, and violations of any these rules may result in exclusion from the Derby. All decisions made by the Derby Coordinator are final.
1. Information on Saltwater Angler access Programs (including directions for entering a fish caught with a power reel or adaptive equipment by an individual with a disability) is available by contacting saltwater.derby@mass.gov.
Additional Rules for Catch & Release
- Catch & Release forms should be submitted directly by the angler.
- Fish must be released alive—the use of a gaff or harpoon is prohibited.
- Fish must be boated and measured for total length (closed jaw to tip of the tail; the tail may be squeezed for measurement) except for tuna, sharks, billfish, and swordfish, which are measured to the fork of the tail. Lengths should be measured to the nearest half inch (see How to Measure Your Catch).
Prizes
- The Angler of the Year award in both the Adult and Junior categories will be presented to the angler submitting the most winning fish in the Weigh-In, Catch & Release, or a combination of the two. The Anglers of the Year will also have their names added to the Commissioner's Cup display.
- One trophy will be awarded to the top Adult and Junior angler for each species in both the Weigh-In and Catch & Release divisions of the Derby. For-hire Captains whose anglers landed a winning fish will also be recognized.
- The Top Shop award will be presented to the tackle shop that weighs in the most derby eligible fish and is the most mentioned in winning fish entries across both divisions.
- A Best Captain in the Business award will be presented to the head boat or charter captain with the most winning fish caught from his or her boat while for-hire.
- In the event of a tie for any award, the earliest entry will be used as a tiebreaker.
- Winners receive free entry to the New England Boat Show for the winning angler and their guest(s), with a private Mass DMF family-friendly reception directly following the ceremony.
Eligible Species and Minimum Qualifying Weights and Lengths
| Inshore Species | Weigh In (lb.) | Catch & Release (in.) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | Junior | Adult | Junior | |
| Atlantic Bonito | 5 | 4 | 24 | 22 |
| Atlantic Mackerel | 2 | 1 | 16 | 15 |
| Black Sea Bass | 4 | 2 | 20 | 15 |
| Bluefish | 12 | 6 | 32 | 26 |
| Dolphinfish | 15 | 5 | 30 | 24 |
| False Albacore | 10 | 7 | 25 | 23 |
| Fluke | 7 | 3 | 22 | 18 |
| King Mackerel | 6 | 4 | 30 | 28 |
| Scup | 2 | 1 | 15 | 12 |
| Spanish Mackerel | 4 | 3 | 24 | 22 |
| Striped Bass | - | - | 40 | 32 |
| Tautog | 8 | 4 | 22 | 18 |
| Weakfish | 8 | 4 | 22 | 18 |
| Winter Flounder | 3 | 2 | 17 | 14 |
| Groundfish Species* | Weigh In (lb.) | Catch & Release (in.) |
|---|---|---|
| Atlantic Cod | 15 | 30 |
| Atlantic Halibut | 50 | 50 |
| Cusk | 20 | 25 |
| Haddock | 8 | 20 |
| Pollock | 12 | 30 |
| Large Pelagic Species* | Weigh In (lb.) | Catch & Release (in.) |
|---|---|---|
| Albacore | 30 | 30 |
| Atlantic Sailfish | - | 63 |
| Bigeye Tuna | 100 | 30 |
| Blue Marlin | 350 | 99 |
| Blue Shark | - | 60 |
| Bluefin Tuna | 100 | 30 |
| Porbeagle Shark | 150 | 60 |
| Swordfish | 150 | 55 |
| Thresher Shark | 200 | 65 |
| Wahoo | 30 | 40 |
| White Marlin | 60 | 66 |
| Yellowfin Tuna | 50 | 30 |
* Junior entries in this category must meet the listed criteria
How to Weigh Your Catch
You can enter your catch in the Weigh-In division by taking it to a participating tackle store or weighing your fish on one of three approved scales for the Derby:
Remember that only fish you are keeping can be entered into the Weigh-In division, fish that you plan to release should be carefully and quickly measured (get that photo!), released, and entered in the Catch & Release division.
When you weigh a fish, make sure that the entire fish is off the ground or deck of the boat and is hanging vertically, with a minimum of movement. All fish entered in the Weigh-In division must be weighed while on shore or on a dock to ensure an accurate measurement is obtained. Once the scale senses the fish has stopped moving, it will display “stable” (RoMech) or "HOLD" (CatMaxx) on the screen, or a red light will turn on (KastKing). Once the weight is stable, get a picture showing your fish and the scale with the weight clearly displayed (you can submit multiple pictures) and submit it following the directions on the Weigh-In entry form. After that, get that fish on ice and consider using one of DMF’s amazing Chef Series recipes to cook the catch!
How to Measure Your Catch
Learn more about measuring striped bass for compliance with size limits.
Most fish must have the total length measured. This is from the tip of a closed jaw straight to the farthest point of the tail. The tail may be squeezed for easier measuring.
Tunas must have a curved fork length measured. These are measured from the tip of a closed jaw to the fork in the tail.
Billfish (marlins and sailfish) and swordfish must have a lower jaw fork length measured. These are measured from the tip of a closed jaw to the fork in the tail.
Sharks are measured from the tip of the snout to the fork in the tail.