NCDF BIG BUG 2026

 

Rescheduled!

$15 to register for NCDF members ($25 for non-members) - Registration ends on November 5th at 11:59pm — Sign up by Nov 1st to ensure you’ll receive a competition shirt

Competition Dates:
12am Friday November 6th until weigh-in on Sunday November 8th at 3pm

Awards: Sunday November 8th at 3pm

Location: South O Brewing, Oceanside

Prizes:

BIG BUG Category: The single heaviest lobster grabbed during the competition. Prize: $100

BIG BAG Category: The heaviest lobster bag (max 7 lobsters) grabbed during the competition. Prize: $100

BIG NEWBUG Category: Any diver in first two seasons of buggin' with heaviest single lobster grabbed during comp. Prize: Gift card

BIG NEWBAG: Any diver in their first two years of buggin' who can present a single night limit on their CDFW report card receives a gift card.

Rules:

BIG BUG participants must follow all CA DFW regulations.

Bugs may only be taken by hand on breath hold - no hookah or tanks permitted.

Bugs must be presented in tact at weigh-in. It is the diver’s responsibility to care for their bugs between capture and weigh-in. Bugs may be frozen if necessary to preserve quality meat

Bugs submitted at weigh-in may only be taken during the competition window. BIG BAG submissions can be compiled during the course of the competition.

CA lobster card must be presented at weigh-in.

NEWBUG category is open only to divers in their first 2 seasons of BUG diving. Divers in this category are also eligible for the BIG BUG and BIG BAG categories.

Signing up gets you:

  • T-Shirt

  • Opportunity to win BIG BUG category

  • Opportunity to win BIG BAG category - max 7 bugs

  • Divers NEW to lobster (in their 1st or 2nd season of lobster diving) are eligible for the following:

    • Opportunity to win BIG NEWBUG category

    • Opportunity at award for NEWBAG - awarded to any NEW diver showing their lobster card with a single-day limit during the competition window

  • One raffle ticket

Raffle

Sponsored by our friends at JUST GET WET and Lana Marshalkina @landscapers_sketchbook

Raffle at the awards is only available to registered divers. Raffle tickets will not be for sale.

Divers MUST be present to win raffle prizes.

Prizes include:

  • Dive Suit

  • Lobster Gloves

  • Bags

  • Float

  • Lights

  • Handmade Coastal Artwork