Waivers and Information Sheets will be filled out and signed on location
before the tournament begins.
-
ELIGIBILITY –
Paid entry fee of $650 Angler and $350 for Co-Angler. Minimum age for
contestants will be 16 years of age. If the contestant is under 18, a
notarized release signed by their legal guardian is required to be on
file at tournament headquarters prior to the tournament meeting.
-
OFF LIMITS –
The host marina waters are off limits for all events as are all areas
designated by state, Federal and local authorities. Tournament
officials may designate additional areas as off limits when deemed
necessary.
-
TOURNAMENT
HOURS – The tournament will begin at “SAFE LIGHT” and end at 3:00 P.M.
local time.
-
LAUNCH SITE –
Boats will launch from the designated ramp only.
-
BOAT/MOTOR –
Boats must be at least 16’ in length or more and have a functional and
properly aerated live well in place to adequately maintain two (2)
separate five (5) fish limits of legal length alive. Motor size may
not exceed 250 hp.
-
LAUNCH
SEQUENCE – Boats will be flighted in order to maintain a smooth and
safe start.
-
SAFETY – Safe
boating conduct must be maintained at all times. Each contestant is
required to wear a Coast Guard approved personal floatation device
securely fastened at all times the boat is being propelled by the
combustion motor. The boater operator/captain must have an engine
cut-off/kill switch. Attached to their person at all times the boat is
being propelled by the combustion motor. Running lights must be
operational and on at launching. Tournament officials reserve the
right to make any necessary adjustments to the rules due to safety
considerations such as dangerous weather/water conditions. Failure to
comply with safety rules will be grounds for disqualification.
-
SPORTSMANSHIP
– Each contestant is expected to follow high standards of
sportsmanship, courtesy and conservation. No contestant may fish
within fifty (50) yards of another competitor who is anchored with the
trolling motor in the up position. No hole sitting by competitor or
non-competitor to aide another competitor will be allowed. Violators
will be disqualified. The use of cell phones for anything other than
emergencies is strictly prohibited. Protests must be submitted in
writing within 15 minutes of the closing of the scales.
-
TACKLE – Only
artificial baits may be used. All bass must be caught in a legal
sporting manner. No snagging. Each competitor may use only one (1) rod
at a time. No rods over eight (8) feet in length. Trolling is not
permitted. No competitor may leave the boat to catch or land a fish.
-
STATE GAME
REGULATIONS – All competitors must abide by all state game regulations
and be in possession of a valid fishing license for all waters fished.
-
WEIGH-IN
PROCEDURES – Weigh-in will be on a first come, first serve basis:
Anglers and Co-Anglers will remain together during the weigh-in
procedure. Bags for weigh-in may be limited to preserve the health of
the fish.
-
SCORING – A
limit of five (5) bass in any combination of the following: Black,
Smallmouth, Spots or Kentucky Bass may be weighed in. Minimum length
will be 15 inches. Bass will be measured with their mouth closed on a
“Golden Rule”. A short fish brought to the scales will result in a one
(1) pound penalty, plus the loss of the short fish. Dead fish will
result in a penalty of eight (8) ounces. Dead fish cannot be weighed
in as big bass. No competitor will possess more than five (5) fish in
their livewell at any time. You must cull upon catching your sixth (6th)
fish. The culling of dead fish is prohibited.
-
TIES – Ties
will be broken by the earliest entry date.
-
LATE PENALTY
– Competitors who are late to check-in, in the afternoon will be
penalized at a rate of one (1) pound per minute up to 15 minutes, at
which time they will be disqualified.
-
INTERPRETATION OF THE RULES – Interpretation of these rules will be
left exclusively to the tournament officials. The decision of the
tournament officials will be final in all matters. Infractions on any
rule can result in disqualification.
-
EMERGENCIES –
Competitors shall remain with their partners in the boat at all times
during the tournament. If, for any reason, a team leaves the
tournament, both members shall bear full responsibility for notifying
tournament officials. In case of a breakdown, one competitor may
remain with the boat and the other may return in another tournament
competitor’s boat with both catches of fish to the weigh-in. The
signal of distress will be the waiving of the dip-net. Any competitor
who witnesses the distress signal is asked to stop and render
assistance.
-
ANGLER/CO-ANGLER – The angler has control of the boat at all times.
The angler fishes from the front of the boat and the co-angler fishes
from the back of the boat. Exceptions, if the angler chooses, the
angler may have the co-angler run the trolling motor in the event of
an emergency. However, all fishing must stop for the duration of the
emergency.
-
POLYGRAPH –
All participants in the tournament are subject to polygraph as
situations warrant, and at the discretion of the tournament director.
-
MEDIA – By
willfully participating in The Women’s Trail Invitation tournament,
all participants grant, the unconditional, royalty free, perpetual
right and license to use their name voice, and photographic likeness
in connection with The Women’s Trail Invitation tournament with
promotions, television shows, DVD’s, video streaming, and /or articles
and press releases. This agreement extends to and any future entity
The Women’s Trail Invitation may become. Participants agree that they
are not entitled to receive any royalties or other compensation in
connection with such use.
