| core_sound_chapter_of_delta_waterfowl_redfish_tournament.doc |
To download a copy of the Official Rules click on the "Download File" link directly below (microsoft word file)
CORE SOUND CHAPTER - DELTA WATERFOWL REDFISH TOURNAMENT -TBA : 2012
OFFICIAL RULES:
These rules will remain in effect during the Core Sound Chapter - Delta Waterfowl Tournament. Interpretation of the rules will be left exclusively to the Core Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament Committee and Committee Chairman. In the event of a rule violation, the Committee and Chairman may impose such sanctions, as they deem appropriate, including, without limitation, disqualifications, forfeiture of prizes and prohibition from participation in subsequent tournaments. Decisions of the Committee and Chairman are final in all matters and are not subject to appeal, and are not reviewable by any court of law. The Core Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament Committee and Committee Chairman reserves the right to make needed changes to these rules in order to ensure the safety, welfare of the tournament competitors, and/or the public and preserve the integrity of The Core Sound Chapter of Delta Waterfowl and Delta Waterfowl Foundation. Any rule changes will immediately supersede all previously published copies of rules. It is the responsibility of all participants to read and understand all rules and how it affects participant qualification and eligibility for the Core Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament. All participants/competitors will be required to sign an affidavit that he/she has read – understands, and accepts all rules. The statement and rules contained herein may be amended by additional verbal instruction, electronic message and/or printed material distributed by the Core Sound-Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament Committee and Committee Chairman.
ELIGIBILITY, ENTRY FEE & REGISTRATION:
All Competitors must be 18 years of age or have written parent or guardian consent (form will be supplied by the Core Sound Chapter – Delta
Waterfowl Redfish Committee and Committee Chairman) and show proof of eligibility to operate a motorized vessel in accordance with North Carolina's Article 1 of Chapter 75 of NC General Statutes. Only competitors who show a valid North Carolina Coastal Recreational Fishing License (under age 16, not required to have license) may fish. Only officially registered Boats and Competitors can compete in the Core Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl Redfish
Tournament. Enter the Core Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament by mailing a completed entry form with a check or money order to Core
Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl, 189 Hwy 101, Beaufort, NC 28516. Entry forms may be downloaded from the official Core Sound – DeltaWaterfowl Redfish Tournament website at http://deltawaterfowlcoresound.org. All checks and money orders must be made payable to Core Sound Chapter –Delta
Waterfowl. Entry fees are nonrefundable. In the event of two weather / unsafe condition postponements or cancellations – 80% of entry fee
will be refunded. An Entry Fee of $150.00 is required to fish the Core Sound Chapter –Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament. Entry Fees are NON-TRANSFERABLE and NON-REFUNDABLE (other than as described above). NO EXCEPTIONS. Any ruling or event involving this rule will be left to the Core Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament Committee and Committee Chairman.
FINAL REGISTRATION:
Final registration will be over at the commencement of the Captain’s Meeting at 6:00 PM - TBA. The Late Registration Table will be open from 5:00 PM until 6:00 PM. Any ruling or event involving this rule will be left to the Core Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament Committee and Committee Chairman.
CAPTAIN’S MEETING/SOCIAL:
Friday, October 7, 2011, the day before the Core Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament, a representative from each boat entered in the Tournament MUST attend this meeting. At this time, rules governing the Core Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament will be explained and clarified. A team representative must sign in at the designated time and location to get the team’s “check-out” number. Any ruling or event involving this rule will be left to the Core Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament Committee and Committee Chairman.
FISHING RULES:
The Core Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament will be fished consistent with and enforced pursuant to the laws of the State of
North Carolina. Any violation of North Carolina State Statute will result in disqualification for that team. It will be the responsibility of the competitors to review North Carolina State Statutes and North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries Rules and Regulations. All vessels shall be equipped with the minimum United States Coast Guard safety requirements for that vessel. Competitors who do not obey these rules will be disqualified and depending upon the severity of the violation could face subsequent disqualification from future Core Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament events. Any ruling or event involving this rule will be left to the Core Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament Committee and Committee Chairman.
SPORTSMANSHIP:
All participants will exercise good sportsmanship, safety, and courtesy whether at the dock, under way or fishing. Violators will be subject to
disqualification without refund. Violators who represent the Core Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl or the Delta Waterfowl Foundation in an unfavorable manner
will be disqualified without refund. The Core Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament Committee and Committee Chairman shall review such acts, and
if, such acts deem to represent flagrant violations to courtesy, safety, or good sportsmanship to fellow competitors, by-standers, staff or the environment, the violator may face disqualification from future Core Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament Events. Any ruling or event involving this rule will be left to the Core Sound Chapter –Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament Committee and Committee Chairman.
BOATING SAFETY:
While operating, moored, anchored, fishing, safe boating practices shall be adhered to at all times. Any ruling or event involving this rule will be left to the Core Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament Committee and Committee
Chairman.
WEATHER CONDITIONS:
The Core Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament Committee and Committee Chairman reserve the right to cancel the days fishing at
the call of the 5:30 AM forecast. It will be the responsibility of competitors to communicate with the Core Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Committee and Committee Chairman about Tournament cancellation. The Core Sound – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament Committee and Committee Chairman reserve the right to terminate the day’s fishing because of unsafe conditions at sea. If unsafe conditions are the result of inclement weather, Core Sound – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament Committee and Committee Chairman will notify all registered competitors of the rescheduled date and venue. However, the Tournament shall be considered complete if four (4) hours of the allotted fishing time has elapsed since “check – out”. If need be, an event will be rescheduled to a later date and/or venue because of inclement weather. Any ruling or event involving this rule will be left to the Core Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament Committee and Committee Chairman.
ALCOHOL AND DRUGS:
Any competitor using alcoholic beverages or illegal substances while engaged in the Core Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament will be immediately disqualified. Any ruling or event involving this rule will be left to the Core Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament Committee and Committee Chairman.
HORSEPOWER REGULATIONS:
Maximum horsepower for all outboards used in tournament competition will not exceed the horsepower limitations as set by the United States Coast Guard horsepower rating plate. Competitors caught tampering with or falsifying horsepower ratings will be disqualified. Any ruling or event involving this rule will be left to the Core Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament Committee and Committee Chairman.
BOAT AND MOTOR:
All boats must be a minimum of 15 feet in length. Each boat must have all required United States Coast Guard safety equipment. Boats must have a working live well. Competitors may manufacture a live well space, properly aerated to adequately maintain a live limit of fish by both competitors. Any ruling or event involving this rule will be left to the Core Sound Chapter –Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament Committee and Committee Chairman.
AUTHORIZED FISHING TACKLE AND EQUIPMENT:
Artificial lures are the only bait/lure that is permitted in the Core Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament. All fish must be caught on a rod, reel, and line. Snatching with multiple hooks, gigging and/ or using multiple hooks (Treble Hooks) with any natural bait is prohibited. Treble hooks are permitted for lures only. Only one fishing rod may be used at a time per competitor. A cast must be fully retrieved before a competitor may pick up another rod. Competitors may not use trolling as a method of fishing. Any ruling or event involving this rule will be left to the Core Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament Committee and Committee
Chairman.
FISHING HOURS:
The Core Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament will start on TBA. No competitors will be allowed to fish prior to the start time. All competitors must be in weigh-in line by stated weigh-in time or the fish will not be recorded as a tournament catch. The Core Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament awards presentation will begin at 5:00 PM. Any ruling or event involving this rule will be left to the Core Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament Committee and Committee Chairman.
REQUIREMENT FOR ELIGIBLE FISH:
Eligible fish must be caught fresh within the stated boundaries the day of the Tournament. Fish must be of legal state length to be considered in the Core Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament.
Redfish: Minimum length of 18 inches; maximum length of 27 inches. Fish will be measured with closed mouth and pinched tail. Tails will be swept and fish will be flipped to assure fish are within the North Carolina legally required slot limit. Check-It-Stik will be the measuring board used by the Core Sound – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament. Only two (2) fish per team is allowed to be weighed in. The Weigh-Master reserves the right to hold and examine internally and externally any fish weighed in as a Tournament catch to determine if the fish is eligible for an award. Any fish that has an unnatural material in or on it will be disqualified. Any fish that appears to have been penned, expired (dead) for longer period than Tournament commencement, mangled, mashed, mauled or otherwise altered will not be weighed at the discretion of the Weigh-Master. Any ruling or event involving this rule will be left to the discretion of the Weigh-Master and supported by the Core Sound Chapter– Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament Committee and Committee Chairman.
FISHING BOUNDARIES:
Competitors may fish anywhere on waters accessible to the public by boat. Competitors may not enter waters that are deemed closed by the North
Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission or North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries. Competitors may not fish within 50 yards of a competitor’s boat,
which was in a location first, and anchored, or positioned by a power pole. Competitors may not fish within 100 yards of areas where non-competitors are
chumming. If non-competitors will not refrain from chumming, competitors must leave the area. Any ruling or event involving this rule will be left to the Core
Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament Committee and Committee Chairman.
TEAMS MUST FISH ONLY IN BOATS:
No kayaks, no canoes allowed. No competitor, at any time, may leave the boat to fish, or land a fish. Competitors must leave and return to the
official check-out by boat. No competitor’s boat may be loaded on the trailer before the weigh-in except with the permission of the Core Sound Chapter – Delta
Waterfowl Redfish Tournament Committee and Committee Chairman. If competitors equipment malfunctions, it is their responsibility to contact the Tournament
Officials or Core Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl Committee Chairman, either by cell phone or VHF Radio Channel 68. Competitors who violate the above rule will
not be able to weigh-in and will forfeit entry fee(s). Any ruling or event involving this rule will be left to the Core Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl
Redfish Tournament Committee and Committee Chairman.
OFFICIAL CHECKOUT:
Teams will receive a number at the Captain’s Meeting determined by drawing (“luck of the draw”). A representative from each team will draw a
numbered chip or ticket and chip or ticket will determine the team’s checkout position. Teams can launch their boats anywhere they wish, but, must report to
the host marina and have a pre-tournament checkout to be eligible for the Tournament. After a team’s vessel has been found to be in compliance with
Tournament guidelines and United States Coast Guard safety compliances, competitors will either anchor or“jockey” in specified waiting areas until the
Committee Chairman releases the vessels and starts the Core Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament. Additionally, teams are required to be at
the host marina the morning of the Tournament for vessel safety check and vessel inspection to make sure all teams are in compliance with Tournament rules. There
will be no lines in the water until teams are inspected. Teams must proceed in a safe and no wake manner until clear of other teams. After the Committee Chairman
checks a team’s vessel, the team can leave the marina and head to their fishing destinations. There will be only one official checkout for vessel check in the
morning and one official check-in point in the afternoon. Failure to go through boat check and checkout in the morning will result in disqualification. All
fishing must cease upon check-in. Competitors who fail to checkout will not be allowed to weigh-in the day’s catch for the Tournament. Any ruling or event
involving this rule will be left to the Core Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament Committee and Committee Chairman.
LATE PENALTY:
Competitors who are not at the official check-in area at the appointed time will be penalized at one (1) pound per minute deducted from the
total weight. If competitors are entered in the (TWT) Tournament within Tournament, this ruling also applies. If competitors are more than fifteen (15)
minutes late, they will not receive credit for the day’s weight for the Tournament. Any ruling or event involving this rule will be left to the Core
Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament Committee and Committee Chairman.
WEIGH-IN:
Fish considered for awards must be weighed in at the official weigh-in station at the stated host marina for the Core Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament. The Core Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament Committee and Committee Chairman will oversee all weigh-in and measuring operations, however to allow for members of the Core Sound Chapter of Delta Waterfowl to be eligible to fish in the Tournament, and ensure fairness and transparency - the Weigh-Master will be a third party, unaffiliated individual. Fish will be measured with the tail pinched and the mouth closed on the measuring board. Fish weights will be measured to the 100th of a pound. Competitors will at no time have in their possession in the live well more than the Tournament limit of fish. Any fish that appears to have been penned, expired (dead) for longer period than Tournament commencement, mangled, mashed, mauled or otherwise altered will not be weighed at the discretion of the Weigh-Master. Redfish may NOT be placed on a stringer at any time during the Tournament. Weigh-in officially begins at 12:00 PM. Competitors with fish to be weighed must check-in at the official weigh-in station no later than 4:00 PM. Only Tournament boats towing a distressed vessel must notify a Tournament Official, Committee Member, or Chairman of location at the time trouble occurs, and notification must be prior to 3:00 PM. Any ruling or event involving this rule will be left to the Core Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament
Committee and Committee Chairman.
NUMBER OF COMPETITORS PER TEAM:
Only two (2) competitors per team, per boat will be allowed to fish. This does not include Tournament or Media personnel. No exceptions. Any
ruling or event involving this rule will be left to the Core Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament Committee and Committee Chairman.
TEAM NAMES AND NUMBERS:
Competitors must have a name for their team. Competitor’s team number will be the same as the chip or ticket number drawn for starting position. This allows for easy team identification and leader board operations. All Core Sound – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament teams must have a name that is not obscene or offensive to others. A team consists of two (2) competitors, one of which must be designated as the Captain. Only Redfish / Red Drum / Channel Bass / Puppy Drum will be weighed and the limit shall be two (2) fish per day, per team. Competitors will at no time have in their possession in the live well more than the Tournament limit of fish. Any ruling or event involving this rule will be left to the Core Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament Committee and Committee Chairman.
TYPES OF AWARDS:
Cash will be awarded for the Core Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament. Trophies and/or plaques will be awarded at the discretion of the Tournament Committee and Committee Chairman. Merchandise may be awarded in addition to the aforementioned items, if offered by Tournament Sponsors.
MAIN TOURNAMENT TEAM AWARDS:
FIRST PLACE:
Cash Award of $1,000.00* (Based on 35 boat entry) – will increase on entries of more than 35 vessels
SECOND PLACE:
Cash Award of $750.00* (Based on 35 boat entry) – will increase on entries of more than 35 vessels
THIRD PLACE:
Cash Award of $500.00* (Based on 35 boat entry) – will increase on entries of more than 35 vessels
AWARDS:
Competitors must be present at the awards presentation to receive their award. Exceptions due to hardship will be made at the discretion of the Core Sound – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament Committee and Committee Chairman. If an exception is granted, it will be the sole responsibility of the winner to arrange for pick-up of all award items at their own expense within thirty (30) days of the awards presentation. Eligible-fish categories for the Tournament are redfish.
(TWT) TOURNAMENT WITHIN TOURNAMENT:
Redfish: Largest Single Fish
“Big Fish” TWT: For an additional $80.00 per team, the following category will be awarded with a cash prize for the winner of said category: Fish still must be within 18 to 27 inch North Carolina State Slot Limit.
Most Spots: TWT for non-connecting spots. $40.00 to enter
The cash prize will be determined by the amount of competitors entered for the (TWT) Tournament within Tournament and announced the day of the Captain’s Meeting. Winnings under these divisions are in addition to the primary Tournament winnings. This is a separate Tournament event available only to competitors registered in the primary Tournament. Only the team of the primary Tournament may claim the winnings at the awards presentation. The cash award will be awarded to the team. The team can then determine how they wish to split the cash award. All rules pertaining to the primary Tournament shall apply to the (TWT) Tournament within Tournament events. Any ruling or event involving this rule will be left to the Core Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament Committee and Committee Chairman.
TEAM IDENTIFICATION:
Prior to the Tournament, a number (chip or ticket for starting position) will be given for each team. This number MUST remain with the team during the Tournament. Any ruling or event involving this rule will be left to the Core Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament Committee and Committee Chairman.
COMMUNICATIONS:
The official Tournament VHF Radio Channel is 68. All boats MUST be equipped with a VHF radio (handheld or mounted) and in addition a cell phone is recommended. The Committee Chairman’s number will be posted on the Core Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl website and emailed to all entrants who provide a valid email address three weeks prior to the Tournament. It will also be posted at the Captain’s Meeting. If for any reason channel 68 is off-air or unavailable, communications will move to channel 62. If you do not check-in at the weigh station, please check-in by VHF radio or cell phone. It is important for the Tournament Committee and Committee Chairman to know each boat safely returned to port with all participants present and accounted for. A VHF radio may be portable. Medical emergency calls may be made and then a Tournament Committee official should be contacted. Any ruling or event involving this rule will be left to the Core Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament Committee and Committee Chairman.
LIVE FISH:
Every effort must be made to keep redfish alive. An 8-ounce penalty will be deducted from the weight for one dead redfish presented for weigh-in. A two (2) pound penalty will be assessed for two (2) dead fish. No mutilated or iced fish shall be accepted. Any alteration of length or weight of redfish is prohibited and team will be disqualified and entry fee(s) not refunded. Any ruling or event involving this rule will be left to the Core Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament Committee and Committee Chairman.
TIES:
In case of a tie, the following will be considered: fish weight and time of check-in. The Core Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Committee and Committee Chairman will review such ties and their decision is final. Ties shall be broken by the team with the earlier check-in time for the Tournament. The team with the earliest check-in shall receive precedence.
POLYGRAPH:
Competitors in the Tournament events (including TWT events) are subject to a polygraph at the request of the Core Sound – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament Committee and Committee Chairman. Failure to attend and successfully pass such an examination may result in the automatic disqualification of the participant(s), which is at the sole discretion of the Core Sound – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament Committee and Committee Chairman. Any ruling or event involving this rule will be left to the Core Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament Committee and Committee Chairman.
DISQUALIFICATION:
Any competitor and/or team may be disqualified at any time, at the discretion of the Tournament Committee and Committee Chairman, for any violation of applicable laws, Tournament rules or safety. Any ruling or event involving this rule will be left to the Core Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament Committee and Committee Chairman.
PROTEST PROCEDURE:
Protest must be presented in writing to the Core Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament Committee and Committee Chairman at the weigh-in station on the day of the alleged infraction, within fifteen (15) minutes after the closing of the weigh-in station. A $150.00 cash deposit, refundable if the protest is upheld, must accompany protest. The Tournament Committee and Committee Chairman will make all decisions, and their decision is final. If the protest is not upheld, then such deposit will be forfeited to the Core Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament. Any ruling or event involving this rule will be left to the Core Sound Chapter – Delta Waterfowl Redfish Tournament Committee and Committee Chairman.