Release Over 20

State by state, the releases add up! Here’s where anglers are leading the charge to protect our fisheries. Every release matters.

Want to help your state? Download the Release Over 20 mobile app and start logging your releases!

Congrats to everyone who made the top 10 overall and species leaderboards for September, and thank you to everyone who continues to share our mission. It's clearly working because we continue to see new names on our monthly leaderboards!

Check back to find out who took the top spots on our monthly state, guide and business/organization leaderboards!

The numbers are in! We had 956 total releases registered through the Release Over 20 app in September. We cannot thank you enough for your support of our mission.

Remember, as much as we love when you tag us in your release photos/videos on social media, only those releases registered through our app are tracked and count as entries for our monthly giveaways.

And don't forget, our next live giveaway will be Tuesday, October 6 at 8pm (EST) on Facebook and YouTube. Tune in for more updates and to see if you win one of our sponsored prize packages!

Mark your calendar! 🗓️ Our next live giveaway is scheduled for next Tuesday, October 6 at 8pm (EST) on Facebook and YouTube.

We'll have our 3 main draw giveaways and Get on Board Captains giveaway PLUS an extra giveaway just for those who participated in the Toadfish Put 'Em Back Tournament. Check out this preview of all the giveaway packages made possible by our generous sponsors.

When was the last time you told someone about Release Over 20?

Conservation doesn’t grow in silence; It grows when anglers share why they care.

If Release Over 20 matters to you, here are a few easy ways to help spread the word:
🎣 Like and share our posts
📸 Post your releases and tag us
💬 Share your “why” — why you choose to release over 20
👥 Tag a fishing buddy who believes in protecting the future of our fishery
📲 Log your releases and be part of the data making a difference

Every share, every story, every release helps move the mission forward.

Photo submitted by Tony Jackson of OutKast Outdoors

Female speckled trout don’t just spawn once — they’re serial spawners, releasing eggs every 4–5 days throughout the season. The number of eggs a speckled trout produces is directly related to its size. Trout of 12 to 13 inches are capable of releasing 100,000 eggs per spawning event. Trout of 20 inches and larger can release up to 1 million. During four or five days of spawning, larger females can release up to 10 million eggs.

Take the Pledge!

Celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day by committing to share the outdoors with someone new. Whether it's fishing, hunting, or recreational shooting, every new experience helps build the next generation of conservationists.

Step 1: Take the Pledge
Promise to introduce someone to fishing, hunting, or shooting sports.

Step 2: Share Your Adventure
Post a selfie, group photo, or action shot of you enjoying the outdoors.

Step 3: Make It Happen
Get outside, create lasting memories, and help protect the wildlife and wild places we all love.

Visit https://nhfday.org/ to take the pledge today!

Photo by Parker Inkelarr of Palm State Fishing

The Inaugural Mississippi Speck Classic, presented by Release Over 20 and Pure Flats is coming to the D’Iberville Marina on November 14, 2026.

If you love chasing big trout, this tournament is for you. We’ll be awarding cash prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, plus raffles featuring prizes from our amazing local business partners.

Find registration details, tournament rules, and everything you need to know on FishingChaos: https://bit.ly/4jhPZ0j

September isn't over yet — and neither is spawning season for our big red drum.

While targeting bull reds during August and September is legal, Release Over 20 is encouraging anglers to voluntarily give these mature spawning fish a break.

There are still plenty of opportunities to get on the water. Target juvenile reds inshore now, and before long, the October and November inlet and jetty bite will be here.

A little restraint today can make a difference for tomorrow's fishery.