Fishing Tournament Weighmaster Training Program

Weighmasters are essential personnel at sportfishing tournaments. They weigh and measure the fish that are entered into the tournament and oversee the weigh-in process. With the large number of fishing tournaments that are held in Texas, there is a coast-wide and community need for well-trained, knowledgeable weighmasters in Texas.

LOOKING FOR QUALIFIED WEIGHMASTERS?

If you are hosting a fishing tournament on the Texas coast and need a weighmaster, email asabine@tamu.edu for a list of qualified, experienced weighmasters who have taken our training course so that you can find a weighmaster in your area.

INTERESTED IN BECOMING A WEIGHMASTER?

SIGN UP FOR OUR TEXAS SEA GRANT WEIGHMASTER TRAINING PROGRAM

Next Class: TBD

Past Classes: May 24-25, 2023; October 5-6, 2022; May 23-24, 2022

This program will teach interested individuals how to serve as weighmasters. Course participants will learn:

• The weighmaster’s role and responsibilities
• How to weigh and measure fish
• Fish Identification
• How to assess fish freshness
• Equipment
• Steps in the weigh-in process, including weigh station set-up
• Code of conduct
• And more!

Through a combination of presentations, video demonstrations, and a final exam, this program will provide participants with classroom knowledge and skills needed to assist at a weigh station at saltwater sportfishing tournaments. In addition to this classroom training, Sea Grant strongly recommends that participants gain hands-on experience by assisting a weighmaster at an event. After gaining this practical experience supporting real fishing tournaments, participants can choose to have their names added to a list of trained weighmasters on the Texas Sea Grant website. Tournament directors can then consult the list if they need a weighmaster to assist at their tournament.

WHAT PARTICIPANTS WILL GET OUT OF THE COURSE:

• A Certificate of Completion at the end of the course stating that they completed the required training in the weighmaster’s role, fish identification, fish freshness, the weigh-in process, and other related topics
• Training provided by AgriLife and Sea Grant extension agents and specialists who are experienced weighmasters
• Their name added to the list of trained weighmasters on the Texas Sea Grant website, if desired
• Supplies such as protective gloves and a tape measure to measure fish
• A logbook that can be used to keep a record of each tournament that they assist at
• Printed and electronic copies of Saltwater Fishes of Texas fish identification guide
• Copies of all training presentations and video demonstrations

PARTICIPANTS WILL ALSO:

• Gain valuable leadership experience while serving their communities
• Support Texas’ recreational fishing industry
• Learn new skills, including how to use a scientific identification guide and how to tell if fish have been previously frozen or altered

TEXAS SALTWATER FISHING TOURNAMENTS

Interested in fishing in a Texas saltwater tournament? Check out this list to find one in your area! Whether you’re looking to fish inshore or offshore, by boat or from land, there is a tournament for everyone!

Texas Sea Grant is not affiliated with any of the saltwater fishing tournaments listed. If you are affiliated with a tournament that is not on our list and would like it to be added, please email the tournament information to asabine@tamu.edu.