21st Annual Nantucket Inshore Classic
September 6th - October 10, 2026
Celebrate 21 years of fishing tradition at the Nantucket Inshore Classic, running from September 6th to October 10th, 2026. This catch-and-release tournament welcomes anglers of all ages and skill levels to compete from boat or beach in categories for striped bass, bluefish, bonito, and false albacore. Divisions include All-Tackle, Fly, and Junior, from boat or beach, with winners determined by fish length. Participants must register in advance, pick up a numbered pin, and submit photos of their catches via email.
More than just a competition, the Classic fosters community spirit while supporting the Nantucket Anglers’ Club Scholarship Fund. Weekly and overall prizes add to the excitement, making this one of the island’s most anticipated fall events for local and visiting anglers alike.
Join us on Saturday, September 5th, at 5pm at the Nantucket Anglers Club for the opening Gam where we will kick off the event with a raw bar and prizes.
TOURNAMENT DATES & TIMES:
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Opening Gam: September 5th, 5pm at the Anglers’ Club.
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Fishing Starts: September 6th, at 12:01 a.m.
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Fishing Submissions End: October 10th, at 12pm.
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Awards: October 10th, 4pm at the Anglers’ Club.
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Fish Submissions Must Be Emailed Within 12 Hours of Catch. Submissions After This Time Will Be Disqualified Without Exception.
TOURNAMENT STRUCTURE & RULES:
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The Nantucket Inshore Classic (NIC) is an Individual Angler Tournament for Striped Bass, Bluefish, Bonito, and False Albacore. It features All Tackle, Fly, and Junior Divisions and Categories. Each Division includes a Boat and a Beach Category.
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Adults may enter one or a combination of the All Tackle and Fly Divisions.
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Juniors (birth date after 9-3-2009) may only enter the Junior Division and use any allowed tackle.
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Fishing methods must adhere to Federal, State, & IGFA Rules & Regulations unless otherwise stated.
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Live Bait is permitted.
BOUNDARIES:
Southern Boundary – 3 Mile Limit Line (shown on map). Western Boundary – Muskeget Channel Buoy “Hooter” to Yellow Flashing Light (South side Marthas Vineyard) North to Nobska Light House. Northern Boundary – Shoreline of Cape Cod and Monomoy Islands to Buoy “C” (East of Chatham) Eastern Boundary – Buoy “C” to Pollock Rip Channel Buoy “4” to Great Pt. Green Buoy “1” then 3 Mile Limit Line to south.
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Beach fish are those caught from a Nantucket Island beach accessed by foot and/or vehicle.
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Fish caught on a non-Nantucket Island beach or by watercraft are considered Boat fish.
MEASURING LIMITS:
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Fish will be recorded by LENGTH ONLY for all divisions.
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Entrants may measure and record only 1 fish of each species per calendar day per division/category.
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Standings will be determined by length using an approved measuring device with a picture.
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Total length is measured as the greatest straight-line length from the anterior most tip of the jaw, with the fish’s mouth closed, to the farthest extremity of the tail, with the tail squeezed together. Length will be measured in quarter-inch (1/4”) increments.
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Pictures should show the entire fish on a flat surface with the measuring device clearly visible.
AWARDS & PRIZES:
Division Champions:
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All Tackle Division (2 awards) – Boat and Beach Categories
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Fly Division (2 awards) – Boat and Beach Categories
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Junior Division (2 awards) – Boat and Beach Categories
Category Awards:
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All Tackle Division (8 awards) – Given to entrants with the longest fish of each species in each category.
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Fly Division (8 awards) – Given to entrants with the longest fish of each species in each category.
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Junior Division (8 awards) – Given to entrants with the longest fish of each species in each category.
Weekly Awards:
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All Tackle Division (up to 8 per week/40 total) – Given to entrants with the longest fish of each species in each category.
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Fly Division (up to 8 per week/40 total) – Given to entrants with the longest fish of each species in each category.
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Junior Division (up to 8 per week/40 total) – Given to entrants with the longest fish of each species in each category.
Nantucket Anglers’ Club rules for non-Anglers’ Club members:
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NIC tournament entrants are allowed full access club use during the tournament dates for the NAC bar/restaurant.
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Only badged entrants signed up for the NIC tournament are allowed club use. NO GUESTS!
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If you’d like to bring a family member or friend along for dinner sign them up as well, all money raised goes to a great cause “NAC Scholarship”.
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Juniors must be accompanied by an adult registered in the NIC tournament for club use.
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Badge/button: must be on person and or presented to club staff member for bar or restaurant use. No badge / no service!
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Please feel free to ask questions if unsure of anything during club use, ask staff or managers.
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If there is any misuse of the club and or disorderly conduct of any kind you will be revoked access and disqualified from the NIC.
PROTEST PROCEDURE:
If an entrant observes a perceived infraction or dispute, they may file a written protest to the Tournament Committee within 24 hours. Include details of the event, names, circumstances, date, time, location, and witnesses. The Committee’s decision shall be final.
CONTACTS:
For questions, contact any NIC Committee Member or email nantucketinshoreclassic@gmail.com.
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Division Champions:
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All Tackle Division (2 awards): Winners determined by the combined length of the longest fish of each of the 4 species and will be given to: All Tackle --Boat Category, All Tackle - Beach Category
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Fly Division (2 awards): Winners determined by the combined length of the longest fish of each of the 4 species and will be given to: Fly --Boat Category and Fly - Beach Category.
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Junior Division (2 awards): Winner determined by the combined length of the longest fish of each of the 4 species and will be given to: Junior Boat Category and Junior Beach Category
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Category Awards:
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All Tackle Division (8 awards): Given to entrants with the longest fish of each species in each of the two categories: All Tackle Boat and All Tackle Beach for Striped Bass, Bluefish, Bonito, and False Albacore.
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Fly Division (8 awards): Given to entrants with the longest fish of each species in each of the two categories: Fly Boat and Fly Beach for Striped Bass, Bluefish, Bonito, and False Albacore.
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Junior Division (8 awards): Given to entrants with the longest fish of each species in each of the two categories: Junior Boat and Junior Beach for Striped Bass, Bluefish, Bonito, and False Albacore.
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Weekly Awards:
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All Tackle Division (up to 8 per week/40 total): Given to entrants with the longest fish of each species in each of the four categories: All Tackle Boat and All Tackle Beach for Striped Bass, Bluefish, Bonito, False Albacore
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Fly Division (up to 8 per week/40 total): Given to entrants with the longest fish of each species in each of the four categories. Fly Boat and Fly Beach for Striped Bass, Bluefish, Bonito, False Albacore
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Junior Division (up to 8 per week/40total): Given to entrants with the longest fish of each species in each of the four categories. Junior Boat and Junior Beach for Striped Bass, Bluefish, Bonito, False Albacore
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ENTRANTS not Nantucket Anglers Club (NAC) MEMBERS: Non-members have full NAC privileges during the tournament. Non-members must sign in at the bar, use the NIC as their sponsor, wear their NIC badge while present, and be subject to NAC house rules. If these rules are not followed, the entrant will be required to leave the club premises and may be subject to removal from the NIC as determined by the Tournament Committee.
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PROTEST PROCEDURE: If an entrant has observed a perceived infraction or has a dispute, they may file a written and signed protest to the Tournament Committee within 24 hours of the said event. The entrant must describe the name(s) of the anglers committing the infraction; circumstances, date, time, location of the infraction and witnesses. He/she must provide a telephone number for themselves and witnesses. The Tournament Committee will meet as quickly as practical to review the protest after its official filing. The submitting entrant will be notified of the decision by telephone or email. The Committee may disqualify any entrant who violates NIC rules, falsifies information, or acts in an unsportsmanlike manner. The Committee's decision shall be final.
CAN TOURNAMENT PARTICIPANTS USE THE ANGLERS' CLUB?
Yes, adult participants may utilize the club . Guests are not allowed. If spouse would like to attend, they may sign up for the tournament. Junior division participants may only utilize the club if accompanied by a participating adult.
WHERE CAN I PICK UP MY TOURNAMENT SHIRT, PIN AND RULER?
These items are available for pickup at the Nantucket Anglers' Club, Bill Fisher Tackle and Nantucket Tackle Center. Show your email receipt to one of the staff members at any of these three locations. If you cannot find your email conformation for registration look in your spam folder or search for an email from "POWr".
DO WE NEED TO WEIGH OUR CATCHES AT THE NANTUCKET ANGLER'S CLUB?
No, the Inshore Classic is now a length based tournament only. You no longer have to bring your catches to the Nantucket Angler's Club for weighing. Simply photograph your catches to document the length and e-mail them to the tournament web address, see official rules for details.
CAN I KEEP THE FISH I CATCH?
Any fish caught that is within Massachusetts salt water regulations may be kept for consumption. We have transitioned to an all length format to give participants the opportunity to practice catch and release while still competing in Nantucket's largest inshore fishing tournament.
WHAT FISH SPECIES ARE IN THE TOURNAMENT?
Striped bass, bluefish, bonito and false albacore are the four species that we award prizes and length points for in the Inshore Classic.
HOW CAN I WIN PRIZES?
Prizes are given away for the biggest fish of each species each week in all four categories (all tackle beach, all tackle boat, fly beach and fly boat). Major prizes are awarded for the biggest fish overall of each species in each of the four categories. Additionally Grand champions will be crowned in each of the four categories/divisions to the anglers with the most cumulative length of his/her 4 species of fish.
HOW DO I SIGN UP FOR THE TOURNAMENT?
This year Registrations will be completed online. Simply go to the "Sign Up" tab at the top of the page. Once you have completed your registration you can collect your tournament shirt, pin, and ruler from Nantucket Tackle Center, Bill Fisher Tackle.
WHEN IS THE TOURNAMENT?
This year the tournament will kick off Sunday September 6th at 12:01 AM. The tournament will conclude Saturday October 10th at 12:00 PM Saturday afternoon.
WILL THERE BE OPENING AND CLOSING PARTIES?
Yes. The opening Gam will be September 5th at 5pm at the Anglers' Club. The closing awards event will be on October 10th at 4pm at the Anglers' Club.
DOES THE INSHORE CLASSIC RAISE MONEY FOR A CAUSE?
Yes, we raise money for the Nantucket Angler's Club Scholarship fund. This event is made possible by the generous donations of our sponsors and the hard work of the Inshore Classic committee. Thank you for supporting!
