THE ONLY LADY ANGLER OFFSHORE FISHING TOURNAMENT IN VIRGINIA
At Rudee Inlet Ladies Open, we are dedicated to promoting sportfishing and supporting women in the fishing industry. Our goal is to facilitate a competitive, sustainable and enjoyable fishing tournament that fosters community and conservation. Our charitable purpose is paramount, with a portion of proceeds donated to McLeskey Comprehensive Breast Center in support of breast cancer research and treatment options.
GET HOOKED
at Rudee Inlet Ladies Open
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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
August 15
Tournament Registration
5
-
6 p.m.
Docktails
Event Details
August 15
Tournament Registration
Register online in advance. Payment can be made via cash or check. Card requires a 3% processing fee.
5
-
6 p.m.
Docktails
Captain's Meeting
6
-
7 p.m.
Docktails
Event Details
Captain's Meeting
At least one person from each boat should attend. All participants are responsible for knowing and abiding by tournament rules.
6
-
7 p.m.
Docktails
August 16
Tournament Fishing
8:30 a.m.
-
3 p.m.
Virginia Beach
Event Details
August 16
Tournament Fishing
The tournament fishing day is August 16. Lines-in at 8:30 a.m. and lines-out at 3 p.m.
8:30 a.m.
-
3 p.m.
Virginia Beach
Weigh In
5
-
7 p.m.
Fisherman's Wharf
Event Details
Weigh In
All gamefish eligible for prizes must be offloaded and weighed in. Gamefish may arrive via boat or vehicle.
5
-
7 p.m.
Fisherman's Wharf
Tournament & Awards Party
7
-
10 p.m.
Docktails
Event Details
Tournament & Awards Party
Join your fellow anglers and crew for music, food and fun on the water.
7
-
10 p.m.
Docktails
Get In On The Action
CHOOSE YOUR CHALLENGE
Chase the ocean's prized gamefish and target the tastiest catches.
CATEGORIES
Mandatory Entry Fee
$200
Level I: Billfish Release
$300
Level II: Heaviest Mahi
$250
Level III: Heaviest Tuna
$250
Level IV: Heaviest Wahoo
$250
Proceeds from entry fees benefit McLeskey Comprehensive Breast Center. 15% of proceeds from each category benefit tournament operational costs.
Have a question? Looking for a team or want to charter a boat?
TOURNAMENT REGISTRATION
mail a check:
PAY AT REGISTRATION
PAY AT REGISTRATION
Rudee Inlet Ladies Open
1836 Tulane Rd, Norfolk, VA 23518
PAY AT REGISTRATION
PAY AT REGISTRATION
PAY AT REGISTRATION
AUGUST 15
send to:
PAY AT REGISTRATION
send to:
@LadiesOpen
PayPal - Venmo - Zelle
BECOME A SPONSOR
RULES & REGULATIONS
Registration
Registration
Registration
All boats must be registered with the Tournament Committee and entry fees paid to qualify for prizes.
Anglers
Registration
Registration
There is no limit to anglers per team, but all must be registered before fishing starts.
Non-Sonar
Registration
Captain's Meeting
This is a non-sonar fishing tournament and all use of omnidirectional sonar is prohibited.
Captain's Meeting
Captain's Meeting
Captain's Meeting
At least one person from each boat should attend the Captains Meeting. All participants are responsible for knowing and abiding by tournament rules.
Dates & Times
Captain's Meeting
Dates & Times
The tournament fishing day is August 16. Lines-in at 8:30 a.m. and lines-out at 3 p.m. Neither lines nor teasers are allowed in the water prior to or after official fishing hours.
Boundaries
Captain's Meeting
Dates & Times
All boats must fish within 85 nautical miles of the Rudee Inlet Sea Bouy. Fish must be hooked within these boundaries but may be fought outside of the boundaries once hooked.
Release
Billfish Points
Billfish Points
This is a release-only tournament. In order to qualify as a release, the billfish must remain in the water per Federal Law.
A billfish is considered released when the leader connection is wound to the tip of the rod or a mate touches the leader.
Billfish Points
Billfish Points
Billfish Points
Prize checks will be awarded to the boat that scores the most total release points. In the event of a tie, the winner will be decided by the first boat to achieve the winning total. Blue marlin will receive 400 points, white marlin, sailfish, hatchet marlin and spearfish will be awarded 150 points for each release.
Indisputable video or photo evidence of all blue marlin WILL BE REQUIRED and indisputable video or photo evidence of all other billfish MAY BE REQUESTED to be provided by the winning boat for final verification. A date and timestamp is required.
Meatfish
Billfish Points
Meatfish
Winning gamefish will be determined by weight. In the event of a tie, the winner will be determined by the first fish weighed in.
All gamefish eligible for prizes must be offloaded and weighed in at Fisherman's Wharf via boat or vehicle.
Lines Out
Billfish Reporting
Billfish Reporting
Billfish hooked and reported to the Committee Boat prior to lines-out may be fought until released. Any billfish still being fought at lines-out must be reported to the Committee Boat prior to lines-out.
Billfish Reporting
Billfish Reporting
Billfish Reporting
All billfish releases must be communicated to a Committee Boat on tournament VHF Channel 79 for official time verification. In the event of radio communication failure, a time confirmation must be obtained from another participating tournament vessel and written on the Release Form.
Release Form
Billfish Reporting
Release Form
All billfish release forms must be fully filled out and signed by the captain before turned into Weighmaster. Billfish scorecards are compared to the Committee Boat radio log for verification and official time of release.
Rod & Reel
Mandatory Requirements
Release Form
This is a rod-and-reel
hook-and-line tournament. Double line and
leader combined may not exceed 40 feet;
neither may exceed 30 feet. The fish must
be fought by rod and reel from the boat. Fish may be fought from a fighting chair or using a cush-it, fighting belt, stand-up harness or similar. Fish may not be fought from gunnel.
Mandatory Requirements
Mandatory Requirements
Mandatory Requirements
Non-offset "Circle" hooks are MANDATORY when deploying natural bait or natural bait combined with artificial lures. "J" hooks are ONLY allowed on entirely artificial lures.
This is a trolling tournament, unconventional non-trolling techniques are strictly prohibited.
All I.G.F.A. rules apply, with any exceptions outlined in the RILO Rules & Regulations.
Males & Females
Mandatory Requirements
Mandatory Requirements
Both males and females are allowed to hook fish. After hookup, the rod must be passed to a female angler and only a female angler may fight the fish. Mate (male or female) is allowed to adjust drag after the rod is passed to the female. angler A female angler may pass the rod to another female angler.
Prohibited Practices
Prohibited Practices
Prohibited Practices
The following practices are illegal in this tournament: shooting, harpooning or lancing; use of handline or rope attached to the line or leader; throwing a rod overboard with a floatation device; transfer of any participant from one boat to another.
Rules & Regulations
Prohibited Practices
Prohibited Practices
By signing the entry form and/or paying the entry fee, all anglers acknowledge that they have read and understand the Rules of the Tournament and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions contained therein.
Furthermore, entrants do hereby RELEASE and HOLD HARMLESS Rudee Inlet Ladies Open from any claim for damages to person or property incurred by participation in the tournament.
Disqualification
Prohibited Practices
Disqualification
A boat and/or team will be disqualified from the tournament if the boat, captain or crew violate any rules of the tournament.
Weather & Mechanical
Federal & State Regulations
Federal & State Regulations
Weather-related decisions are at the sole discretion of the Captain. A “weather day” may be called by the Tournament Committee. Any substitute boats must be registered with the Tournament Committee.
Federal & State Regulations
Federal & State Regulations
Federal & State Regulations
All boats and participants must comply with Virginia and Federal Fisheries laws and regulations regarding fishing licenses, vessel permits, fishing gear, size and bag limits.
Tournament Protests
Federal & State Regulations
Tournament Protests
Any protest by any participant against the catch of another participant must be submitted in writing to the Tournament Committee. No protests are allowed against the Tournament.
Polygraph
Tournament Protests
Polygraph tests may be administered to captain, mates, and others as deemed necessary by official tournament officials. Participants must make themselves available for polygraph testing when requested and whomever is selected must be sober.
Polygraph
Polygraph
Polygraph
A participant's refusal to take a polygraph test or failure to answer test questions in a manner satisfactory to tournament officials, in their sole discretion, may result in disqualification.
Disqualified Participants/Teams or Participants/Teams that fail a polygraph examination forfeit all entry money, prizes or prize money, and may be refused entry to future RILO tournaments.
Polygraph
Polygraph
By entering the tournament, participants consent to the admissibility of polygraph results in any dispute or proceeding arising out of the tournament. The decision of the tournament officials is final.
OUR SPONSORS
Rudee Inlet Ladies Open
contact@rudeeinletladiesopen.com
Copyright © 2026 Rudee Inlet Ladies Open - All Rights Reserved.
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