SKA Nationals
Get ready for the 31st Annual SKA National Championship in Biloxi, Mississippi, at Point Cadet Marina, December 4-8, 2024!
This is a TWO DAY, TWO FISH AGGREGATE event. Fishing Days Friday Thursday and Saturday. Weather days are Thursday and Sunday.
LIVESTREAM
UNOFFICIAL LEADERBOARD
Open Class
Small Boat Class
WEATHER UPDATE
Due to upcoming weather conditions, please note the following changes:
Fishing days will now be THURSDAY, December 5 and SATURDAY, December 7. No fishing FRIDAY.
Nationals will now be a CAPTAIN'S CHOICE event.
You can EITHER fish BOTH DAYS, weighing ONE fish PER DAY
-OR-
Fish ONE DAY only, weighing TWO fish on that day
No team can weigh more than two fish total across both fishing days. If a team weighs two fish on Day 1, they are not eligible to weigh any fish on Day 2. If a team does not weigh a fish on Day 1, they are eligible to weigh two fish on Day 2.
Ranking will still be determined by the aggregate of two fish. If only one fish weighed, single fish still count toward overall and aggregate Kingfish Calcutta ranking.
For Daily Kingfish Calcuttas, if a team ONLY FISHES ONE DAY, the heaviest fish will be counted for Fishing Day 1 and the second fish will be counted for Fishing Day 2 regardless of the day weighed. If only ONE fish weighed, it will count for Fishing Day 1 - NOT both days.
UPDATES for 2024
Bait Limits: SKA Teams are required to adhere to local, state and federal RECREATIONAL bait limits regardless of licensing.
Nationals Crew: Should your team qualify for the National Championships, any and all adult (age 18+) crew members must have fished in AT LEAST ONE regular season event with the qualifying team. This does not apply to Junior and NextGen anglers. Captains can fish with their original team or may pick their crew as long as crew members meet all criteria listed. ALL ANGLERS on a National Championship crew MUST BE CURRENT SKA competition members PRIOR TO the National Championship FISHING DAY 1. The addition of a hired "local captain" to your team is strictly prohibited.
Nationals Teams: Crew members may ONLY FISH WITH ONE TEAM during Nationals. Team members are declared at registration and no later than the end of the Nationals Captain's Meeting.
Category Awards: If a crew member does not fish one day for any reason, the team's points from that day will not be included in that crew member's Category Awards rankings. Category Awards points can only be earned if that crew member actively fishes. A crew member can still rank for Category Awards with a single day's points. Category Awards include Junior, NextGen, Lady, Senior and Veteran Anglers.
Additional Fuel: For the 2024 Nationals in Biloxi, teams may carry additional fuel in a safe and secure manner at the Captain's discretion, adhering to all laws and regulations as applicable.
Biloxi Start: All boats must leave from a Biloxi marina/boat ramp.
REGISTRATION
Registration for the 2024 SKA National Championships is by INVITATION ONLY. Invitations have gone out by email to qualified teams. If you believe you should have received an invitaton but did not, first check your SPAM/JUNK folder, then contact us.
Already registered? Check in your anglers here. You can make changes until the end of the Captain's Meeting.
Online pre-registration is CLOSED. In-person registration is $900 starting December 4. In-person registration in Biloxi at the Point Cadet Marina will be available December 4, 2024 between 9AM until around 4PM. After 4PM, registration and TWT entry will continue at the Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum. Card payments will include a 4% processing fee. Kingfish Calcuttas (TWTs) are CASH ONLY in-person December 4, 2024 between 9AM and 8PM.
LOCATION
The SKA Nationals will take place at Point Cadet Marina in Biloxi, MS.
RULES
No checkout. Lines in at 7:30 AM each fishing day. Captain's Choice; two possible fishing days. Boats must leave from a Biloxi marina/boat ramp. SEE WEATHER UPDATE ABOVE. For complete rules, view the PDF. Last updated December 4, 2024 6:40 PM.
Payout Schedule
The payouts below are based on 100 Open Class and 25 Small Boat teams. We'll adjust the final payment structure according to the number of registered teams. For the National Championship, the SKA will pay out 100% of entry fees.
OPEN CLASS:
(10 Places based on 100 Boats)- $50,000 plus Loadmaster Trailers credit
- $9,000 plus Loadmaster Trailers credit and Cannon Downrigger prize package
- $7,000 plus Cannon Downrigger prize package
- $5,000
- $3,000
- $2,000
- $1,500
- $1,000
- $800
- $700
SMALL BOAT CLASS:
(5 Places based on 25 Boats)- $12,500 plus Loadmaster Trailers credit and Cannon Downrigger prize package
- $3,000 plus Cannon Downrigger prize package
- $2,000
- $1,500
- $1,000
TWTS
All TWTs are optional. Kingfish Calcuttas (TWTs) are CASH ONLY in-person December 4, 2024 between 9AM and 8PM.
50/30/20 Split TWTs:
Open Class Big Fish Day 1 TWT - $100
Open Class Big Fish Day 2 TWT - $100
Small Boat Big Fish Day 1 TWT - $100
Small Boat Big Fish Day 2 TWT - $100
Big Fish TWT - $250
High Roller TWT - $1,000
Big 40 TWT - $100 (Closest to 40lbs)
2-Fish Aggregate TWT - $250
Winner Take All TWTs:
2-Fish Aggregate WTA TWT - $500
Big Money 2-Fish Aggregate WTA TWT - $2,000
SCHEDULE
SATURDAY, Nov 30
Last day of online Pre-registration ($800) at 11:59PM
WEDNESDAY, Dec 4 at Point Cadet Marina and the Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum
In-person pre-registration: 9AM - 8PM
Division Awards & Captain's Party: 5:30 - 8PM (Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum)
Captain's Meeting: 7PM
(Last day for Pre-Registration ($900), Kingfish Calcutta (TWT Cash ONLY) )
THURSDAY, Dec 5 at Point Cadet Marina
Fishing Day 1: Lines in the water at 7:30AM
Boats must leave from a Biloxi marina/boat ramp
Tournament Village Opens at 12PM
Weigh-In: Opens at 3PM, must be at check in by 5PM
FRIDAY, Dec 6 at Point Cadet Marina
Fishing Day 1: Lines in the water at 7:30AM
Boats must leave from a Biloxi marina/boat ramp
Tournament Village Opens at 12PM
Weigh-In: Opens at 3PM, must be at check in by 5PM
SATURDAY, Dec 7 at Point Cadet Marina
Fishing Day 2: Lines in the water at 7:30AM
Boats must leave from a Biloxi marina/boat ramp
Tournament Village Opens at 11AM
Weigh-in: 2PM, must be at check-in by 4PM
SKA Nationals Awards: 7PM
SUNDAY, Dec 8 at Point Cadet Marina
Weather Day 2 (alternative fishing day if weather was a factor on previously scheduled fishing days)
*Special Weather Note - The SKA will monitor all weather and sea conditions for the week and will alert teams of any changes of schedule and fishing times. If weather is an issue, the SKA may elect to go to a Captains Choice option for days that could be better option. Our main goal is safety of all our SKA Teams and anglers.
HOTELS & RENTALS
HOTELS
Golden Nugget Casino, Biloxi – 4035 Arendell St (Map) - hilton.com - 252-246-2300
Palace Casino and Resort, Biloxi – 151 Beach Blvd (Map) - goldennugget.com - 228-435-5400
Margaritaville Resort, Biloxi – 195 Beach Blvd (Map) - margaritavilleresortbiloxi.com - 228-271-6377
Beau Rivage Resort, Biloxi – 875 Beach Blvd (Map) - beaurivage.mgmresorts.com - 228-386-7111
Hard Rock Hotel, Biloxi – 777 Beach Blvd (Map) - hrhcbiloxi.com - 228-374-7625
Hyatt Place Biloxi, Biloxi – 1150 Beach Blvd (Map) - hyatt.com - 228-206-0950
Holiday Inn Express, Biloxi – 1686 Beach Blvd (Map) - ihg.com - 888-465-4329)
Hampton Inn, Biloxi – 1138 Beach Blvd (Map) - hilton.com - 228-435-9010
Hilton Garden Inn, Biloxi – 648 Beach Blvd (Map) - hilton.com - 228-325-2900
MARINAS & BOAT RAMPS
MARINAS
Point Cadet Marina – 119 Beach Blvd, Biloxi (Map) - 228-436-9312, facebook.com/pointcadetmarina/ (fuel, slip rentals)
The Point Cadet Marina is the largest marina in Biloxi. It is located on the East point of Biloxi. The harbor features 29 new floating docks with full-length finger piers and in-slip pump-out stations as well as 212 fixed docks which can accommodate boats from 25' to 100' and transient vessels up to 135'.
Number of Berths: 241
Berth Sizes: 25 – 100 feet
Amenities: Water, electricity, showers, restrooms, laundry facility, bait shop, fuel dock, security cameras, wireless internet, pump out station, on-site oil disposal area for recycling used oil, and harbormasters on duty at all times.
BOAT RAMPS
Small Craft Harbor and Boat Ramp – 679 Beach Blvd., Biloxi (Map), 228-436-4062
The Biloxi Small Craft Harbor is conveniently located in downtown "Ole Biloxi". The building was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina and rebuilt in August 2010. Located on site is McElroy's Harbor House Seafood Restaurant. There is a boat ramp with trailer parking available for public use.
Number of Berths: 119
Berth Sizes: 25 – 50 feet
Parker's Creek Boat Launch – Parker's Creek (Off Woolmarket Exit) (Map)
Located on East Oaklawn Road (Exit 41), this boat launch is ideal for smaller boats and has ample trailer parking. Located on Parker's Creek, the boat launch is minutes away from the Biloxi River.
Lee Street Boat Launching Ramp – Lee Street at Bayview, Biloxi (Map)
The Lee Street Boat Ramp is located within the Sherman V. Canaan Back Bay Fishing Dock at Bayview Avenue and Lee Street. It provides quick access to the Back Bay of Biloxi.
Kuhn Street Boat Launching Ramp – Kuhn St. at US Hwy 90, Biloxi (Map)
Located on Beach Boulevard and Kuhn Street, the Kuhn Street Boat Ramp was rebuilt in 2012 and has close access to the barrier islands. There is a public parking lot with ample trailer parking.
Hiller Park Boat Launch – Located in Hiller Park off Pass Road, Biloxi (Map)
Located in Hiller Park, the Hiller Park Boat Ramp was recently rebuilt. It provides quick access to the Biloxi Bay. There is a large parking lot on site with ample trailer parking. The launch includes two finger piers.
BAIT, TACKLE, EQUIPMENT
Gorenflo's Tackle and Marina Store – 119 Beach Blvd, Biloxi (Map) - 228-432-7387, gorenflostackle.com
Point Cadet Fuel & Ice – 119 Beach Blvd, Biloxi (Map) - 228-432-0454
From Gorenflo's Tackle and Marina Store:
We have 89 octane / No Ethanol fuel. If you like, you may start an account at the beginning of the tournament and pay at the end with a check or cash. This will save you the 3.5% credit card fee.
We have access to ribbon fish if you need them. There are 20 ribbon fish to a case wrapped 2 to a pack. They will need to be reserved by Nov. 18, 2024. Please contact us to reserve them. We also stock other bait including shrimp, squid, finger mullet, cigar minnows, ballyhoo, pogies, and large trolling squid.
We have 7lb ice for $2.00 a bag and 20lb ice for $4.00 a bag.
In the tackle area we stock downrigger weights 8# and 10#, sabiki rigs, assorted weights including bell sinkers from 1/4 oz. to 5 oz. and plenty of other tackle.
Tournament Trail Partners
