Nova Tackle Company King Challenge 2026 Tournament

Nova Tackle Company King Challenge 2026 – Official Rules

Tournament Format

The 2026 Challenge will run as one continuous season:

- Start: May 1st 12:01 AM

- End: September 15th at 5:00 PM 

- Entry by boat - any fish caught on entered boat is eligible

- Winnings will be distributed to the boat captain at the end of tournament season.

Entry Fees

Amateur Boats:  Charter Boats:
$150 per boat $300 per boat

Registration

- Must be completed in person at Tangled Tackle

- Payment accepted: Cash

Boat Info Required:

 Boat Name  Length  Captain Name 

Activation Rule:

- 12-hour waiting period after registration before eligible to weigh fish 

Fishing Boundaries

- All of Lake Michigan 

- Connected lakes, rivers, and tributaries

Weigh-In Rules

- All fish must be weighed at Tangled Tackle (additional weigh stations may be added)

- Fish must be fresh and legally caught 

- Officials may inspect all entries 

- Any tampering may result in disqualification

Scoring System

Each boat will compete 

- Teams can upgrade fish throughout the season 

Payout Structure

Prize Pool Split:  Bonus Categories
1st Place: 40%  Largest of each:
2nd Place: 20%  Steelhead -  $500 
3rd Place: 15%  Lake Trout -  $500 
4th Place: 10%  Coho Salmon -  $500 
5th Place: 5% 

Monthly Big Fish Awards

Each month (May–September):

- Largest Salmon wins tackle prize package

Tie Breakers

- Earliest weigh-in wins 

- Same day → split payout 

By entering, participants allow use of photos, videos, names, and boat names for promotional use. 

Legal Requirements

 Tournament officials reserve the right to:

All anglers must:

Inspect any fish 

Have valid fishing licenses 

Deny suspicious entries 

Follow all state and local fishing regulations

Disqualify rule violations



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