Riptide Rendezvous ("RipTide") - 2026
Riptide Rendezvous is a catch-and-release, artificial lure or fly-only surf fishing tournament. It’s a non-profit fundraising event, organized by the Southwest Council of Fly Fishers International. All net proceeds go to the SWCFFI to help fund fishing outreach and conservation programs.
This is a “for-fun” event at Rincon Beach County Park. It runs from 7 a.m. until noon, with awards and lunch immediately following. Check-in is at 5:30 a.m.
There are separate divisions for fly- and regular-tackle fishermen, with separate prize pools.
The Look for 2026
- The legacy "One Fly" rules are no longer in effect for the Fly Fishing Division. Use your own flies, and there's no need to stop fishing if you lose your fly. Tie on a new one, and keep going!
- Fishing will happen on the beach right below the Park and you are welcome to fish anywhere you like on that stretch.
- Only fish submitted the day and hours of the tournament will be considered for scoring.
- There will be spotters on the beach who will measure, record, and submit each catch/angler. There is no limit on the number of fish submitted, but all fish must be released
- Only the following species will be counted for score: Perch (All Kinds), Corbina, Spot-fin Croaker, Yellow-Fin Croaker, Halibut, Shark or Ray, Striped Bass, White Seabass, California Kelp Bass
- For each Division, awards will be given in the following categories:
- Most total inches of allowed species caught that day: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd
- There will be a Raffle after Lunch!
Awards and prizes will be handed out right after lunch on August 1, 2026, and will happen at the Padaro Beach Cafe in Carpinteria.
Home - Padaro Beach Grill - American Bar & Grill in Carpinteria, CA
3765 Santa Claus Lane
Carpinteria, CA 93013
Winners must be present to claim their prize, otherwise it will be given to the next qualitying entry.
Divisions (4)
- Women's Division- Fly
- Women's Division - Conventional
- Open Division Fly
- Open Division - Conventional
Prizes (20 Prizes Total)
- Most cumulative inches: First 3 places per Division - 12 Prizes Total
- Longest Fish per Division - 4 Prizes Total
- Most Species per Division - 4 Prizes Total
Lunch and beverages will be on sale after the “RipTide” at the Padaro Beach Grill.