**TOURNAMENT CANCELLATION – WEATHER UPDATE**

The ASGA team has been diligently watching the forecast in recent weeks, praying for calm seas and bountiful action for our anglers. We regret to announce that due to extreme conditions and high wind sustained over multiple days, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2024 Tunny Tournament.

Safety is our first priority, and the experience for participants and sponsors is our second. The forecast for this weekend threatens both of those. 

All registered teams have been contacted with options for this year, which include rolling their registration to the inaugural event next September or a full refund. We are extremely grateful for the community’s passion to participate, united by a common goal to better understand and conserve false albacore.

The Tunny Tournament undisputed championship belts remain vacant, awaiting an epic heavyweight battle in September 2025. Registration for the September 2025 event will open in the spring after all rolling registrations have been confirmed.

For now, we go back to the frontlines of research and management, with more exciting news to release on the Albie front later…

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Join the American Saltwater Guides Association and Cheeky Fishing for a rowdy celebration of the beloved Little Tunny, a.k.a false albacore. The 2024 Tunny Tournament will take place on September 21, 2024 on Cape Cod, MA. This one day tournament empowers anglers from shore and boat to chase down albies, participate in citizen science and win epic prizes from some of the best brands in the industry. All funds raised during the event will support The Albie Project, a dynamic campaign connecting passionate anglers, cutting-edge science and precautionary fisheries management. All anglers are encouraged to download the GotOne App on preferred app store (Google or iOs) before arriving on the Cape for tournament weekend.

REGISTRATION: 
All teams must be registered by 11:59 pm EST on the 13th of September, 2024. Registration will be capped depending on category – so get signed up ASAP!

DATE:
September 21, 2024. Lines in 6:00am. Lines out 3:00pm. Awards Ceremony 5:30pm.
Awards Ceremony will take place at The West End, 20 Scudder Ave, Hyannis, MA 02601.

GEAR REQUIREMENTS:
Two divisions: land-based teams of 2 and boat teams of 2-4. Artificial lures & flies only.

SCORING:
Point scoring based on fish releases. Scoring based off tackle and method, as listed below:
BOAT DIVISION:
Spin Caught Boat – 50 points
Fly Caught from Boat – 150 points
SHORE DIVISION:
Spin Caught From Shore – 100 points
Fly Caught from Shore – 200 points

AWARDS:
Tournament Categories are as follows:
Shore Champion – Most points recorded by a team from shore. This is a team award.
Boat Champion – Most points recorded by a team from a boat. This is a team award.
Blitz Champion – Most albies recorded by a team in either division. This is a team award.
Albie Cup – All anglers who record an albie in either division will be entered into a sweepstakes drawing. This is an individual angler award.

BOUNDARIES:
Boat teams are to fish within Cape Cod & Islands boundaries as delivered to all registered teams. These boundaries are inclusive of Vineyard Sound and the waters around Cape Cod, Marthas Vineyard and Nantucket, extending west to the MA state border.

FISH HANDLING:
All anglers should prioritize fish vitality when handling qualifying fish. When recording your catch, limit the fish’s time out of water to the best of your ability. Prepare your landing process beforehand. Have your phone ready to measure and record your catch. After confirming proper documentation, promptly return the fish to the water before completing any additional entry information.

RULES & REGULATIONS: Full rules, regulations and tournament boundaries are available here. In-person captains bag pickup and rules meeting will take place from 6-8pm in the Cape Cod Irish Village parking lot, across the street. Additionally, there will be a digital rules video.

QUESTIONS? Email info@saltwaterguidesassociation.org.