63rd ANNUAL HELL DIVERS RODEO

May 27th – May 30th, 2026

2026 HELL DIVERS SPEARFISHING RODEO RULES & REGULATIONS

Registration is open until 11:59pm CT on May 26th, 2026, for $75 per person. NO VERBAL COMMITMENTS. No registration after the deadline or at the entry of the tournament.
Rodeo Tickets may be purchased online via PAYPAL , Venmo @David -Chaix, or to Helldiver.diveclub@yahoo.com please send “as a friends and family” or you will be charged $3.

1. Valid fishing license is required of all participants.
2. Diving is open to all waters, “Fish can be shot under recreational rules only”
3. Competition starts Wednesday, May 27 th at 12:01 AM and ends Saturday, May 30 th , 2026 at 6 PM.
4. All fish are subject to autopsy. Divers must inform the weigh master of how fish was shot:
scuba or skin and/or 55 or older (Senior Division).
5. Scale open Saturday, May 30 th , 2026 from 4 PM to 6 PM (if in line at 6 PM you must inform
the weigh master). Diver must present registration stub to weigh master in order to enter fish.
6. All Decisions by Rodeo Officials will be final. Weigh Master has final say on weight of fish and any disputes.
7. No Power Heads allowed.
8. Fish speared from the boat are ineligible. Divers must be submerged.
9. Fish must be speared and apprehended by diver without assistance.
10. Skin and Scuba are allowed.
11. Upon arrival, please check in with the registration tent! You will receive your weigh-in stub, meal ticket, and rodeo shirt.
12. Each category (Master Board) will receive a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd award (Rule 22 for eligible fish).
13. 1st place receives 3 points, 2nd place 2 points, and 3rd place 1 point, these go towards the King/Club/Boat Awards.
14. A separate board will be kept for the purpose of tabulating points for the Champion Skin Diver (known as the Blake Terry Memorial Award) The 3-2-1 point system will be used with ties broken by cumulative weight of fish on these boards. Only fish shot Skindiving will count for the Skindiving Division.  If any fish shot while skin diving makes the Master Board, they will count on that board also.
15. The David L. Irwin Memorial Club Award will be awarded to the Club with the highest point total for the fish under Rule 22.
16. The Warren “Whip” Mermilliod Memorial King Spearfisherman Award known as the “Whip” Award will be awarded to the diver with the highest point total under Rule 22.
17. Ties for King/Club/Boat Awards will be determined by the cumulative weight of fish taking awards.
18. In case of any ties due to weight of fish in any category, the earliest fish entered wins.
19. In the Miscellaneous Category: Any Legal Fish EXCEPT Sharks
20. MASTER BOARD:
Eligible fish are as follows on the Master Board: ALMACO JACKS, BARRACUDA, COBIA, GROUPER (Any Legal), RED SNAPPER, MANGROVE SNAPPER, SHEEPSHEAD, TRIGGERFISH, (any legal Trigger), STINGRAY, Jack Crevalle, African Pompano, and Tarpon.

21. Blue Water Category: Tuna, Wahoo, King Mackerel, and Mahi (Float Line and Buoy is Allowed for this category ONLY!)
22. Calcutta Category: 5 Stringer Sheepshead (5 of the biggest sheepshead shot by an INDIVIDUAL DIVER ONLY!!!) Winner will win cash prize! 25$ Additional Entry Fee on this Category
23. The awards are based on the largest fish weighed by the Senior divers. Divers in this division must inform the Weigh Master of their age at time fish are weighed. Fish shot on this board, if eligible, will count on the Master Board.
24. NO REBREATHERS!

Rodeo tickets are $75