The Port Royal Sound Foundation’s 2nd Annual Inshore Slam Fishing Tournament is about to kick off, inviting anglers of all ages and experience out into the Port Royal Sound watershed to catch, measure, and record fish for prizes, and for science! This tournament uses the MyCatch mobile app for anglers to photo-record and submit every finfish caught in the watershed over the ten days of the tournament. While the main prizes go to anglers who catch the longest of our slam species – red drum, speckled sea trout, and flounder — the tournament also incentivizes recording EVERY fish caught with a huge range of other prize categories – from most spots to the smallest fish to most species caught. Why? DATA!!
In 2024, we discovered that the data collected over the 10 days of the tournament offered an incredible snapshot of what was happening across the Sound – in those 10 days! Anglers caught, measured, and submitted more than 1,800 fish, which included 42 species and more than 800 red drum. The smallest fish recorded was a 1.5” mummichog (caught on a very tiny hook!) Needless to say, it provided us with valuable data, but it did not reveal enough about how our fishery behaved throughout the year.
Year-Long Fishing Tournament for Reel Science
So, introducing 🥁 the Port Royal Sound Year-Long Fishing Challenge for Reel Science! Now, anglers who participate in the Inshore Slam (and those who want to register for the year-long event) will have the opportunity to continue fishing for science for the next 11 months! Anglers submitting catches throughout the year will qualify for monthly prizes, from rods and reels; to tackle and gear!
Participants who participate in the Slam will automatically be entered into the Reel Science Challenge, and for $20, anyone can join in this new year-round event.
Register For the Inshore Slam
The PRS Inshore Slam Fishing Tournament starts OCTOBER 3 and runs through Oct 12! 10-days to catch and record as many fish as you can for HUGE prizes and to support science! $100 entry fee; $80 for youth. Registration INCLUDES your entry to the Year-Long Fishing Challenge for REEL Science!
Register for the REEL Science Challenge
The PRS Year-Long Fishing Challenge for REEL Science starts the day AFTER the Inshore Slam ends, and runs through September 13, 2026! 11 months to catch and record as many fish as you can for cool prizes, bragging rights, and help us build a better understanding of fish in the PRS. $20 entry fee. Anglers registered for the Inshore Slam are entered and registered for FREE!
Supporting Sustainable Fishing Practices
Beyond the opportunity to win prizes and support data, fishing is a great way to get out on the water and enjoy the Port Royal Sound! Port Royal Sound Foundation works closely with the SC Department of Natural Resources to support sustainable recreational fishing practices. Here are a few tips for good fish handling and sustainable fishing.
- It’s not a rule of the tournament, but we encourage catch and release – keeping only the fish you know you will eat.
- Whenever feasible, keep the fish in the water as much as possible while you’re handling them.
- We encourage anglers to use barbless, non-offset, non-stainless circle hooks to reduce the chances the fish will swallow the hook (gut hooking).
- We recommend non-stainless hooks in case the fish DOES swallow the hook – it has a greater chance of breaking down in the salt water.
- If the fish swallows the hook and it cannot be easily removed, cut the line as close to the hook as possible.
- Hold large fish horizontally and support their bodies to avoid damage to the internal organs. Do not hold or support the fish by its gills, gill covers, or eyes — this will hurt the fish!
- Use wet hands when handling a fish. Handle the fish quickly and as little as possible.
- When releasing a fish, don’t throw it into the water. Set it in the water and let it swim away under its own power.
- If you’re fishing for adult (bull) red drum, the SCDNR recommends using a short leader and fixed-weight tackle to prevent the fish from swallowing the hook. See an example – https://saltwaterfishing.sc.gov/reddrum/rigs.html
- Avoid targeting “bull” red drum during their spawning season (August-September) to reduce pressure on their population.
For more information about proper fish handling, visit SCDNR’s guide at https://www.dnr.sc.gov/marine/tagfish/pdf/catchandreleasebrochure.pdf