After a six-year hiatus, the Rudy’s Pro Redfish Series is making its powerful return in 2026. As one of the most respected and elite professional redfish tournaments on the Gulf Coast, this series brings together the top redfish anglers from across the entire Gulf Coast region to compete for some of the largest payouts in professional redfish fishing.
Registration Opens November 15th
Registration Opens November 15th
We're Back Tournament Registration
All rules stated below will remain in effect for the Rudy’s Open Redfish Series. All decisions made by the tournament director and/or tournament officials will be final in all matters. The tournament director and/or the tournament officials can make a change when the safety of a contestant is in question or by a unanimous decision by the tournament committee. Any changes to the rules will be posted on the website at www.redfishseries.com. Warnings, penalties and disqualifications will be determined by the tournament officials.
Each participant ("contestant") must read and acknowledge the following rules and indicate so by signing an online entry form. A "team" shall consist of two contestants.
This document is a binding legal agreement and applies to all participants in any activities, events, programs, or related activities conducted by Gulf Coast Tournament Association (GCTA) (the “Sponsor”). This agreement covers all activities conducted by GCTA, whether on property owned or leased by GCTA or at off-site locations, including but not limited to fishing tournaments, events, and related programs.
I, the undersigned participant, acknowledge that my participation in activities, events, programs, or related activities, whether conducted on GCTA property or at an off-site location, involves inherent risks, including but not limited to serious bodily injury, disability, death, or property damage. These risks may arise from my own actions or inactions, the actions or inactions of others, the condition of the premises, weather conditions, or the negligence of the Released Parties (as defined below). I freely and voluntarily assume all such risks, whether known or unknown to me, and take full responsibility for my participation.
I represent that I am qualified to participate in the activities and events and that I will at all times comply with all rules, regulations, and safety requirements imposed by GCTA. I also represent that I will not consume or be under the influence of alcohol or drugs while participating in the activities.
In consideration for being permitted to participate in activities conducted by GCTA, whether on GCTA property or at an off-site location, I, for myself, my personal representatives, heirs, and next of kin, hereby release, discharge, and hold harmless Gulf Coast Tournament Association (GCTA) and its respective officers, directors, employees, agents, representatives, and other participants (“Released Parties”) from any and all claims, liabilities, damages, or causes of action that may arise out of or relate to my participation in the activities, including but not limited to claims for injury, disability, death, or property damage, whether caused by the negligence of the Released Parties or otherwise.
I agree that I, my heirs, personal representatives, and next of kin will not file a lawsuit or make any claims against the Released Parties for any injury, disability, death, or property damage arising out of my participation in the activities, whether conducted on GCTA property or at an off-site location, and whether caused by the negligence of the Released Parties or otherwise.
I agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the Released Parties from any and all claims, liabilities, damages, or causes of action brought by any third party arising out of my participation in the activities, whether conducted on GCTA property or at an off-site location, including any claims for personal injury, death, or property damage.
I hereby grant GCTA the unrestricted right to use my name, likeness, voice, biographical information, and any photographs, videos, or other recordings of me taken during the activities for promotional purposes in any media, without compensation.
I acknowledge and agree that I am fully and solely responsible for any of my property and personal belongings that I bring to any event or activity and that GCTA will not be responsible for or provide any security for such property and personal belongings.
I acknowledge and agree that the Released Parties have no duty to supervise the activities of any participant or spectator at any event or location. The Released Parties assume no responsibility or liability for the acts or omissions of any such persons.
I acknowledge that GCTA makes no representations as to the condition of any event location or the safety of any structures or equipment that may be used during the event. I accept and shall use such locations and equipment in their “AS IS” condition.
This agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, and any legal action arising out of this agreement shall be brought exclusively in the courts located in Matagorda County, Texas.
If any provision of this agreement is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
The terms of this agreement shall continue in full force and effect even after the conclusion of the activities and shall be binding on my heirs, personal representatives, and assigns.
This agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the parties regarding the subject matter hereof and supersedes any prior agreements or understandings, whether written or oral.
No waiver of any term or right in this agreement shall be effective unless in writing and signed by an authorized representative of the waiving party. The failure of any party to enforce any provision of this agreement shall not be construed as a waiver or modification of such provision or impairment of its right to enforce such provision thereafter.
If the participant is under 18 years of age, the undersigned parent or guardian certifies that they have legal responsibility for the participant and consents to the participant’s participation in the activities. The undersigned parent or guardian agrees to release, indemnify, and hold harmless the Released Parties from any and all claims that may arise out of or relate to the participant’s involvement in the activities, including any claims for injury, disability, death, or property damage.
All rules stated below will be in effect for the 2026 Rudy's Pro Series. All decisions made by the tournament director and/or tournament officials will be final in all matters. The tournament director and/or the tournament officials can make a change when the safety of a contestant is in question or by a unanimous decision by the tournament committee. Any changes to the rules will be posted on the website
www.rudysproseries.com
and communicated to the tournament members in the pre-tournament meeting before the tournament. Warnings, penalties, and disqualifications will be determined by the tournament officials. Each participant ("contestant") must read and acknowledge the following rules and indicate so by acknowledging online. A "team" shall consist of one or two contestants.
All rules stated below will be in effect for the 2025 We’re Back Calcutta Tournament. All decisions made by the tournament director and/or tournament officials will be final in all matters. The tournament director and/or the tournament officials can make a change when the safety of a contestant is in question or by a unanimous decision by the tournament committee. Any changes to the rules will be posted on the website www.redfishseries.com and communicated to the tournament members in the pre-tournament meeting before the tournament. Warnings, penalties and disqualifications will be determined by the tournament officials. Each participant (“contestant”) must read and acknowledge the following rules and indicate so by acknowledging online. A “team” shall consist of two contestants.
1) Applicable Laws:
Federal, State and Local laws shall be obeyed by contestants at all times. Contestants choosing to fish outside of Texas waters shall adhere to the local and state laws of the venue in which the contestant is fishing, including purchasing and possessing a valid fishing license for that state effective for the dates of competition. Violation of any federal, state and/or local laws (including harboring fish in nets, crab traps, cages, boxes, or other holding device) shall result in the automatic disqualification of the individual and his team from any and all Rudy’s Events!
2) Tournament Eligibility:
In order to participate in the TOURNAMENT, both team members must be members in good standing with the Rudy’s Redfish Series and/or its assigns. Contestants under 18 years old must fish with their legal guardian as their teammate, or another adult approved by the minor’s legal guardian. The TOURNAMENT reserves the right to refuse participation in any event to any individual and/or team at the discretion of the tournament committee. Each team may designate an alternate participant for use in the event of a teammate’s absence, provided however, that the alternate is designated on or before the event.
3) Alcoholic Beverages and Illegal Drugs:
Consumption of any alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs during tournament hours is prohibited and shall result in disqualification. Alcoholic beverages and illegal drugs may not be in the possession of any team member or on board a participating boat during the hours of tournament competition.
4) Sportsmanship:
TOURNAMENT participants are expected to follow the highest standards of sportsmanship, courtesy and ethics. Unsportsmanlike and unethical conduct will result in disqualification (at the tournament committee’s discretion). Please refer to the Texas Boating Safety Rules. This includes, but is not limited to, cutting off or impeding other tournament boats, waking or traveling through an occupied area at excessive rates of speed, flats or other waters that are occupied by other tournament anglers, etc.
5) Permitted Tournament Fishing Waters:
Contestants may fish in any inshore public water accessible by boat. “Inshore” for this series is defined as the navigable, tide consumable coastal waters, bays, rivers, and wetlands, extending to the inside of the passes to The Gulf of Mexico. This rule does not preclude anglers from traversing the Gulf to get to an inshore fishing location. Contestants may not fish in ANY private water not equally accessible to all other anglers, or in any body of water owned or controlled by a third party who will not permit every public angler, including non-tournament anglers, access to the area. A warning by the water area owner to exit the area is a violation of this rule whether the angler is cited/ticketed/arrested or not, and the Contestant is subject to automatic disqualification of the day’s weight and/or the tournament event in this instance.
No fishing is allowed within a 300 yard radius of tournament site.
No fishing is allowed within a 500 yard radius of any ferry landing.
Contestants shall not fish in any area which has been “closed” by a governmental agency or other third party owner/operator.
Participants are not allowed to fish within a 150 feet (50 yards) radius of another anchored boat unless they are invited in by the anchored boat.
If anchored boat invites another team into the inviting team’s 50 yard area, any tournament participant is also allowed within the waived area.
The boat anchored in an area first has the right to 150 feet radius of the area.
If the boat does not have a trolling motor the definition of anchored still applies.
6) Permitted Fishing Methods:
All tournament fish shall be taken by rod, reel, and artificial tackle only. Only one rod and reel may be used at any one time per angler. NO LIVE OR DEAD NATURAL CREATURE, OR ITS PARTS, SECRETIONS, BODILY FLUIDS OR DERIVATIVE IS ALLOWED TO BE USED AS BAIT. Prior to and during the tournament, contestants shall not “cork” or otherwise mark fish or schools of fish by artificial means for identification for the purposes of locating fish during tournament hours. Wade Fishing is NOT Allowed. Each day of the contest, Contestants must leave from and return to the official checkpoint, and fish the entire contest in the team’s boat. While fishing during tournament hours, participants may not leave the boat to net or “land” a fish. Contestants may exit their boats while refueling, and/or in the case of an emergency or other necessary non-fishing purpose. During pre fishing or tournament hours there will be no chumming or baiting or loading spots (anglers cannot go bait a pond hoping fish will stay around till tournament day).
7) Checkpoints and Inspection:
Each tournament event will have designated checkpoints. Each boat must go through a checkpoint in the morning in a pre-selected order. The checkout point and times will be communicated to the teams at the pre-tournament (“captain’s”) meeting. All tournament boats must be inspected by a tournament official at the official tournament site before they are released to fish. Flight numbers will be drawn by each team at the mandatory registration the day before each tournament begins. Once a flight number is drawn, it may not be changed, traded or sold to another team. It is the contestant’s responsibility to know his flight number, official tournament time and check-in time. Failure to go through the checkpoint will result in disqualification. Every boat must go through the checkpoint at the conclusion of the day’s fishing regardless of if the team has fish to weigh in. Once a boat has checked in, that team will not be allowed to return to fish during the day’s competition and that team’s day of fishing shall cease. Check-in times will be between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM. Contestants who are not at the official checkpoint area at the appointed time will be penalized at the rate of one-half (1/2) pound per minute, which will be deducted from the team’s total day’s weight. Any contestant more than fifteen (15) minutes late will be disqualified from that day’s weight entry. Teams who are not able to check in due to equipment failure or other unforeseen circumstances are responsible for contacting the tournament director before the official check-in is over in order to determine an acceptable solution.
8) Polygraphs:
By signature on the official tournament entry form, each contestant agrees to submit to a polygraph test and be bound by its interpreted results and conclusions. The first place team in each event, and any other team as chosen by the Series’ directors, shall be subject to a polygraph examination and will not receive any award until the test has been administered and determined to be non-deceptive. Polygraph tests may be issued at the discretion of the tournament director/committee for any reason, and each contestant hereby acknowledges and consents to the examination. The results and interpretations of the polygraph are final and each contestant hereby knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily waives any review of said test result, including any judicial process seeking to overturn, amend or otherwise negate the finding of the test administrator.
9) Insurance and Liability:
Each boat entered into any TOURNAMENT event shall have a minimum of $100,000.00 liability insurance coverage to be maintained throughout the entirety of the series or for every event fished. It is the responsibility of the boat owner to carry liability insurance covering the vessel. The SERIES will not issue liability coverage for its events. A current copy of the team’s insurance policy and each member’s signed DECLARATION, WAIVER, RELEASE, AND HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT shall be given to SERIES administrator before a team may compete in any SERIES event. All tournament participants are required to sign a waiver absolving all tournament officials, officers, participants, sponsors and co-sponsors from any responsibility for damage or personal injury sustained as a result of the contestant’s participation in the tournament or its related activities.
10) Pre-Tournament “Captain’s” Meeting:
Tournament Registration for the SERIES will be held on Friday, November 21, 2025, between 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM. A pre-tournament Captain’s Meeting will follow registration. At least one member of each team shall attend the Captain’s Meeting. Participants may be excused from the Captain’s Meeting if arrangements are made with the TOURNAMENT office. Participants must have documentation from the TOURNAMENT office and present it upon registration if the participant is excused from the meeting. If a contestant fails to attend the registration and pre-tournament meeting without permission from the SERIES office, a one (1) pound, per fish, per day penalty, will be assessed against the team’s fish at weigh-in, both days.
The official tournament will take place on Saturday, November 22, 2025.
11) Communication:
There shall be no information, whatsoever, whether obtained by paying a third party, or “volunteered”/free of charge, which is garnered from a non-tournament participant inside of 10-days prior to the Series event and through the event’s conclusion. This includes, but is not limited to, information obtained via social media, magazines, newspaper, blogs, text, phone, face-to-face, onboard or “guided” trips, websites, and/or other periodical sources. Participants may not use drones, helicopters or other aerial surveillance to locate and target fish; this rule does not prohibit the use of Google Earth or similar charting/mapping tools. During Tournament Hours: No communication regarding or pertaining to fishing between competing teams.
12) Entry Fees, Tournament Registration:
The entry fee for the TOURNAMENT is $200, per two-person team. Teams must have the entry paid in full by the Captain’s Meeting. All entry fees are non-refundable. This is a Calcutta Tournament and Teams must bid a minimum of $300 to participate in the tournament!
13) Boat, Motor and Horsepower Regulations:
All boats shall be a minimum of 15 feet in length and be equipped with a minimum of 25 hp motor. Teams may only use one boat during each day of the event, unless otherwise approved by the Series directors. Teams may not have a second or more boat(s) “stashed” along the intended route of travel for the event fishing day. Each boat must have all required U.S. Coast Guard safety equipment. In addition, each boat must have a properly aerated live-well, which is one that is reasonably likely to sustain the life of three redfish under the circumstances. The Tournament Director shall have the sole responsibility for determining whether aeration and capacity is adequate. Live wells will be inspected upon checkout on the morning of the tournament. ALL BOATS MUST BE EQUIPPED WITH AN OPERABLE IGNITION KILL SWITCH.
14) Safety:
Safe boating will be observed at all times. Each contestant is required to properly wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved, fully functional personal floatation device anytime the combustion engine is engaged. Tournament days may be shortened or canceled due to unsafe weather or water conditions.
15) Fish:
A team’s weight will consist of THREE (3) red drum (“redfish”), measuring no less than 20 inches, and no more than 28 inches in length. A team must retain ONLY three (3) redfish in live wells at any given time. Live fish must be culled on the spot; teams must keep (retain) dead fish. Contestants are responsible for keeping their redfish alive. Any dead fish tendered for weight will be assessed a 1/2 lb. penalty. No altered, mutilated or iced fish will be accepted.
16) Scoring:
Tournament standings, auxiliary awards and final winners shall be determined by the total weight of THREE (3) redfish measured in pounds and 100th of a pound of each team’s catch during the tournament.
17) Ties:
If two or more teams have identical weight in the tournament, it will be considered a tie. The prize money from the consecutive places will be combined and split between the teams.
18) Points:
No points will be accumulated at this Tournament for the series.
19) Protest Procedure:
All protests must be submitted in writing, along with a $500 cash deposit. Protests must be submitted to the tournament director no later than 15 minutes following the weigh-in of the last fish.
20) Permission to be Filmed for Television or Other Media:
All participants agree to be filmed, photographed, taped, interviewed, quoted or otherwise revealed, without compensation, by the SERIES or its assigns.
This document is a binding legal agreement and applies to all participants in any activities, events, programs, or related activities conducted by Gulf Coast Tournament Association (GCTA) (the “Sponsor”). This agreement covers all activities conducted by GCTA, whether on property owned or leased by GCTA or at off-site locations, including but not limited to fishing tournaments, events, and related programs.
I, the undersigned participant, acknowledge that my participation in activities, events, programs, or related activities, whether conducted on GCTA property or at an off-site location, involves inherent risks, including but not limited to serious bodily injury, disability, death, or property damage. These risks may arise from my own actions or inactions, the actions or inactions of others, the condition of the premises, weather conditions, or the negligence of the Released Parties (as defined below). I freely and voluntarily assume all such risks, whether known or unknown to me, and take full responsibility for my participation.
I represent that I am qualified to participate in the activities and events and that I will at all times comply with all rules, regulations, and safety requirements imposed by GCTA. I also represent that I will not consume or be under the influence of alcohol or drugs while participating in the activities.
In consideration for being permitted to participate in activities conducted by GCTA, whether on GCTA property or at an off-site location, I, for myself, my personal representatives, heirs, and next of kin, hereby release, discharge, and hold harmless Gulf Coast Tournament Association (GCTA) and its respective officers, directors, employees, agents, representatives, and other participants (“Released Parties”) from any and all claims, liabilities, damages, or causes of action that may arise out of or relate to my participation in the activities, including but not limited to claims for injury, disability, death, or property damage, whether caused by the negligence of the Released Parties or otherwise.
I agree that I, my heirs, personal representatives, and next of kin will not file a lawsuit or make any claims against the Released Parties for any injury, disability, death, or property damage arising out of my participation in the activities, whether conducted on GCTA property or at an off-site location, and whether caused by the negligence of the Released Parties or otherwise.
I agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the Released Parties from any and all claims, liabilities, damages, or causes of action brought by any third party arising out of my participation in the activities, whether conducted on GCTA property or at an off-site location, including any claims for personal injury, death, or property damage.
I hereby grant GCTA the unrestricted right to use my name, likeness, voice, biographical information, and any photographs, videos, or other recordings of me taken during the activities for promotional purposes in any media, without compensation.
I acknowledge and agree that I am fully and solely responsible for any of my property and personal belongings that I bring to any event or activity and that GCTA will not be responsible for or provide any security for such property and personal belongings.
I acknowledge and agree that the Released Parties have no duty to supervise the activities of any participant or spectator at any event or location. The Released Parties assume no responsibility or liability for the acts or omissions of any such persons.
I acknowledge that GCTA makes no representations as to the condition of any event location or the safety of any structures or equipment that may be used during the event. I accept and shall use such locations and equipment in their “AS IS” condition.
This agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, and any legal action arising out of this agreement shall be brought exclusively in the courts located in Matagorda County, Texas.
If any provision of this agreement is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
The terms of this agreement shall continue in full force and effect even after the conclusion of the activities and shall be binding on my heirs, personal representatives, and assigns.
This agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the parties regarding the subject matter hereof and supersedes any prior agreements or understandings, whether written or oral.
No waiver of any term or right in this agreement shall be effective unless in writing and signed by an authorized representative of the waiving party. The failure of any party to enforce any provision of this agreement shall not be construed as a waiver or modification of such provision or impairment of its right to enforce such provision thereafter.
If the participant is under 18 years of age, the undersigned parent or guardian certifies that they have legal responsibility for the participant and consents to the participant’s participation in the activities. The undersigned parent or guardian agrees to release, indemnify, and hold harmless the Released Parties from any and all claims that may arise out of or relate to the participant’s involvement in the activities, including any claims for injury, disability, death, or property damage.