Join the movement
Get Involved
There are many ways to support Release Over 20 - from making a personal commitment on the water, to getting your organization involved, to helping spread the word. Every action makes a difference.
Where to start
Ways to get involved
Become an Informed Angler
Learn the science behind why releasing larger fish makes a measurable difference.
📏Commit to Releasing Large Fish
Set your own upper slot and release fish over 20 inches as if it were the law.
📱Log Your Releases
Download the free app and enter your catches. Every release counts.
🏢Get Your Organization Involved
Businesses, clubs, and non-profits can compete on our leaderboards and win conservation awards.
🏆Compete for Awards
Top anglers earn custom awards and national recognition for their conservation efforts.
🚢Join the Guide Program
Charter captains can earn rankings, rewards, and recognition for client releases.
❤️Donate to the Cause
Every dollar supports our mission to protect inshore fisheries for future generations.
📣Spread the Word
Tell your friends, post your releases, and help grow the movement.
🤝Join the Team
Volunteer at events, become a state representative, or explore opportunities to join our board or staff.
Step one
Make the commitment
Nowhere in our mission or vision is the number twenty specifically mentioned. What we believe in is setting an upper limit that makes sense for you, your target species, and your region - and following it as if it were the law.
Many of our followers release all flounder or speckled trout over 18 inches. Anglers in areas where trophy trout are more plentiful may set their limit at something higher, like 23 inches. All of that is perfectly aligned with our mission and vision. The same applies to creel limits - if the law allows you to keep ten fish but you decide four is enough, that's the spirit of what we're asking.
The most important thing is to make a personal decision, voluntarily, and follow it. No app required. No registration. Just a commitment you make on the water.
Set your own limits. Tell your friends what you're doing and why. That's how movements grow.
Recognition program
Angler Awards
Beginning in 2025, Release Over 20 recognizes anglers for their conservation efforts with annual awards. Professional fishing guides are not eligible for these awards - see the Get On Board guide program below.
National Conservation Angler of the Year
The non-professional angler with the most releases entered nationally for the year.
State Conservation Angler of the Year
The top non-professional angler in each state by total releases. Minimum 15 releases to be eligible.
Century Club 🎌
Awarded to any angler who submits between 100 and 249 releases in a calendar year.
Elite 250 🏆
Awarded to any angler who submits 250 or more releases in a calendar year.
Influencer of the Year
Chosen by the RO20 Board of Directors for the individual who has made the greatest impact influencing others to practice conservation - on social media and beyond.
For businesses & clubs
Get Your Organization Involved
Registering your club, business, or non-profit with Release Over 20 allows your members to credit their releases to your organization - and puts you on our monthly and annual leaderboards alongside other businesses and clubs across the country.
It's become one of the most fun and growing aspects of our program. Organizations are setting internal goals - like 500 releases for the year - and engaging in friendly competition with similar groups. It's a great way to rally your members around a conservation cause and track your collective impact.
This has been especially embraced by Salt Strong chapters across the country, and we'd love to see more organizations join them.
Registration is free. Before requesting to add your organization, please check the app to see if it already exists. If it doesn't, email us to request it be added.
To request your organization be added, email us at support@releaseover20.org with your organization name, type (business, club, or non-profit), and your state. We'll verify it isn't already in the app and add it within a few days.
Request to Add Your OrganizationNote: Guide businesses and guide umbrella organizations are not eligible for this program. Please see the Get On Board guide program below.
For charter captains
Get On Board!
We are looking for guides to partner with us to help promote the concept of releasing bigger fish. There are so many upsides - a better fishery in the future, more trophy fish for your clients - and we've built in incentives for both guides and their clients to participate.
What's in it for Captains?
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Ranked by number of client releases - monthly, yearly, and all time
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Plotted on national leaderboards among all charter services
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Science-backed information to share with clients
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If one of your client releases is selected in our monthly giveaway, you receive an exclusive RO20 shirt or hat as a thank you
What's in it for Clients?
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Free decals for any client who agrees to participate at the start of a charter
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Special monthly giveaway exclusively for client releases - prize packs averaging $100
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The more releases, the better the chances of winning
How to Get Started
Download the Release Over 20 app, create your account, and enable Guide Mode in your profile. Add your business name and you're set. When entering a client catch, use the client name field to credit them - it's sticky, so you only have to enter it once per trip.
Free Guide Kit
Once you register your guide service, we'll send you a free starter kit including decals for your boat and clients, a program overview card, and talking points about the science behind releasing larger fish - everything you need to get your clients on board.
Request Your Free KitGuide Program FAQs
What if I need more decals?
No worries - you can order more decals from our store at no cost.
I'm registered as a captain but fishing for myself. Can I enter my releases?
Yes - just keep the client field cleared for your personal entries.
Can my client enter their fish instead of me?
We ask that captains enter fish on behalf of their clients. Most clients won't enter on their own, and we want to make sure credit is properly assigned.
For businesses
Become an In-Kind Sponsor
We are actively looking for in-kind sponsors - companies with products or services that anglers would enjoy. We ask very little of our sponsors and it's our goal that participation delivers a real return on investment.
We only ask that you send us in-kind product samples that we give away to participants as rewards for releasing their fish. 100% of donated items go directly back to our community. Your items are stored securely and tracked carefully.
In return, your logo is featured on our website and social media, your products are showcased in front of our growing follower base, and we spotlight sponsors at every monthly giveaway. Sponsorship is non-exclusive.
What type of items?
A mix of bigger items (reels, etc.) and smaller items (apparel, decals). Bigger items are featured prominently in giveaways.
How many items?
Enough for approximately one giveaway per month - a minimum of a dozen items is requested, though we are grateful for anything.
Where do I send items?
Release Over 20, 7341B Peppermill Parkway, North Charleston, SC 29418. Items are cataloged and stored securely.
Help us grow
Spread the Word
One of the most powerful things you can do is tell a fellow angler about Release Over 20. Share your releases on social media. Tag us. Start a conversation on the water.
Every new angler who commits to releasing larger fish is a win for the fishery. The movement grows one angler at a time.
Get more involved
Join the Team
Release Over 20 is a primarily volunteer-driven organization. There are several ways to get more deeply involved and help us grow the movement.
Volunteer at Events
We host and participate in events throughout the year and are always looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help represent Release Over 20.
Become a State Representative
State reps are the face of RO20 in their region - helping spread the word, engaging with local anglers, and representing the mission on the water and on social media.
Board & Staff Opportunities
From time to time we have openings on our board of directors and staff. If you're passionate about conservation and want to help lead the organization, we'd love to hear from you.
Ready to make a difference?
Join thousands of anglers who are committed to protecting inshore fisheries for future generations.