Are You a Pro? How well do YOU know the Bay? Ready to up your game?

• It's simple to register and participate in the Shallow Stalker Boats Poker Run, simpy download the Aces Poker Run app on your phone's app store; it is a free app that will manage the whole event for us all.  If you are seeing this on a separate screen (not on your phone), simply scan the QR code shown. 
• Register NOW through October 2nd to participate.   

The basic rules are simple:

• Each registration will inlcude one digital poker hand, one Shallow Stalker visor, one Shallow Stalker Poker Run towel, a "goodie" bag with filled other sponsor swag and a light-lunch ticket for the  Prize & Drawing Luncheon 
• For an individual to qualify for prizes (adult or child), they must register to particapte on a Shallow Stalker Boat and build the best poker hand by vistiting 1 to 10 locations to be disclosed between 6am to 6:15am on October 3, 2026.           
• A poker run is an event where people travel along a planned route and stop at several locations. At each stop, they receive a playing card.  It’s not a race - the winner is simply the person with the best poker hand at the end.  For this event, with the Aces Poker Run app, you must have your GPS on your phone "On" and when you arrive within a quarter mile (0.25) of the location, the app will issue you a digital poker card. 
• The event will remain open for you to go visit the locations of your choice until 2pm at which point the event officially closes and stops issuing cards. After the event, organizers will review the leaderboard to determine ranking and winners. Winners will be announced at the Prize & Drawing Luncheon to follow at 4pm at Bayside Marine located at 2941 W Queen Isabella Blvd, Port Isabel, TX 78578.
• Along the way, we encourage all registered participants to also fish at each location for additonal prizes.  IF you catch a fish at any of the GPS locations, text or dm a picture asap to the instructions included in your packet. 

PRIZES:

• Poker Hand Rankings: Rankings First through third place Highest Hands and the one Lowest hand will receive a custom artwork canvas print portraying their boat along with a Bayside Marine gift card valid for accesories, service or parts ranging from $500 to $100 . (Need not be present at luncheon to win)
• Fish Caught: First catch of the day in each location receives an original artwork canvas print portraying your very own boat at the location where the fish was caught. (Need not be present at luncheon to win), (Winners will need to supply a quality photograph of their boat in the water to be used in creating the original artwork)
• Prize Drawings:   All registered participants attending the prize luncheon in-person at 3 pm will be entered into a special prize drawing for the "great" prizes everyone loves at our tournaments, ie. Power Pole, Power Tech Propeller, Coolers, Fishing Gear and more!  (Must be present at luncheon to win)

Frequenty Asked Questions:

• Can I fish other tournaments and participate in this Poker Run at the same time?  Absoluety, YES... just make sure to get to as many locations as possible to try to build the best poker hand and if you catch a fish at one of our locations, send it in according to our instructions.  Note, you'll be limited to prizes if you don't attend our luncheon at 3pm. 
• What happens to my registrations fees if I already registerd for the orignally scheduled Owners Tournament? These amounts are not transferable into this Aces Poker Run App system, we will be reaching out to you to see if you to see which option you would like us to proceed with. 
• When do I get my packet of SWAG and instructions? There will NOT be an official Captains' Meeting; you can pickup your SWAG bag, instructions/detail sheet and lunch ticket on Friday, October 2nd at Bayside Marine starting at 11am until 8pm. 
• Can I purchase more than one poker hand for the Poker Run? Yes you can! Each individual can register for up to three poker hands.  For each hand you register for, each registration will inlcude one digital poker hand, one Shallow Stalker visor, one Shallow Stalker Poker Run towel, a "goodie" bag with filled other sponsor swag and a light-lunch ticket for the  Prize & Drawing Luncheon.  Last minute adiditonal registrations may have limited SWAG.
• How many card decks of cards are there in the Poker Run? 1.) In the app, each hand gets its own virtual deck. So there isn’t a shared pool of decks.  2.) Every time someone buys a hand, a new deck is created just for that hand 3.) If someone buys multiple hands, each one has its own separate deck 4.) No decks are reused or shared between players  5.) This keeps the odds consistent and prevents duplicate cards or unfair advantages. 
• How do you win? What if there is a tie? Best hand wins. Standard poker rules apply. If there’s a tie, the app breaks it using standard poker rules: 1.) It compares the highest card in the hand  2.) If those are the same, it keeps comparing the next highest cards  3.) It follows the normal poker tie-breaking hierarchy  4.) So even if two hands look identical at first, the system will still rank them based on those card comparisons.
• How does the app help? It guides you to stops using your phones GPS, gives your virtuals cards, and shows live rankings during the event.
• Does everyone on my Shallow Stalker Boat need to be registed for the Poker Run? No, not everyone on the boat needs be registered for the Poker Run, but anyone not registered is ineligible for any and all prizes.  
• Will extra lunch tickets be available for purchase for me or my friends or family that come with me? We are going to plan for the availablily of extra lunch tickets to be available for purchase.  To help us plan ahead, please consider registering for more than one hand to give you better odds to win and account for more meal tickets for your group.
•  Are there hotel specials available for this event on South Padre Island? YES! Host Hotel Information if you would like to book separately call the Isla Grand Resort at 956-761-6511, provide the group code, and one of their front desk agents will be happy to assist you with your booking.  Group code is 26STALKER. Rate for pool view cabana is ONLY $120.00 per night plus $25.00 daily resort fee & occupancy tax, beach view cabana is ONLY $135.00 per night++, condo rate (6th through 8th floor) is $309.00 plus daily resort fee of $50.00 and taxes. PLUS their parking lot is Boat Trailer Friendly! 

**** REMINDERS ****

• Preserve our beautiful bay system for future generations to come!   Protect the vital sea grasses from uprooting or damage.    Be prepared!   Is your TowBoatUS membership current?  Click here to renew!
• Conserve our environment and protect your boat : As recommended  by Mer cury Ma rine .com  1.) Pay Close Attention to Buoys and Channel Markers Operate your boat in marked channels to prevent running aground, which can damage your boat and seagrass habitat. Stay on the correct side of the channel when approaching channel markers. Pay attention to markers and navigational buoys that warn boaters of dangerous shallows or areas where boats are prohibited by law.  2.) Read the Water Always wear a good pair of polarized sunglasses while boating to cut through the glare and help you read the water. Polarized sunglasses will not only improve your ability to spot fish, but to avoid seagrass beds, and other underwater hazards. Amber or copper-colored lenses are generally best for identifying objects on the flats, seagrass beds, and in shallow water. 3.) Consider Your Depth and Draft When in doubt about the depth, slow down and idle. Be aware of the high and low tide periods so you can plan your route accordingly given the draft of your boat (minimum water depth that the boat can travel through). Use a push pole or trolling motor when fishing out on the flats and when heading back the channel before starting up your motor, then idle slowly out. Never try to motor your way off a seagrass bed, this causes extensive damage to seagrass beds and can damage to your engine as well. 4.) Study Your Charts Utilize your electronics, navigational charts, fishing maps, and local boating guides to become familiar with new waterways. Nautical charts will show you approximate depths, including shallow areas, which can help prevent you from running aground and damaging seagrass beds.

As reminder, you are the Captain of your own boat and should always follow local, state and federal maritime laws to keep everyone safe on the water and ensure compliance such laws. Requirements vary by vessel size.