Fishing Tournament General Rules

 

1. PARTICIPATION AND ELIGIBILITY:
 

A.  Participation is open to anyone 18 Years of age or older. Minors are eligible to register and participate with a parent or guardian who also participates in the event or grants permission. The obligation to know these rules falls upon the parent.
 

B.  A completed entry and entry fee
 

C.  Watercraft defined by the manufacturer as a kayak, Jon Boat, Canoe, OR Motorized Boat.

 

D.  A valid Fishing License

2. PRIZES:
 

Cash prizes awarded for the winner of the tournament.  The heaviest SNAKEHEAD will win 1^st prize, 2^nd heaviest will win 2^nd prize, 3^rd heaviest will win 3^rd prize.

 

A.  Award amount will be subjective to participation.  1st Place= $10 per entry received, 2nd Place=$5 per entry received, 3rd Place=$3 per entry received (3rd place is only paid out if 20 or more paid participants).
 

B. Winners will be based on the heaviest fish that is submitted and validated.

3. SAFETY:
 

Safe boating will be observed at all times. DURING COMPETITION, EACH CONTESTANT IS REQUIRED TO FOLLOW U.S. COAST GUARD AND MARYLAND REGULATIONS INCLUDING POSSESSION OF COAST GUARD APPROVED PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE (PFD).  PFD MUST BE WORN WHILE ABOARD YOUR BOAT OR KAYAK. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL RESULT IN A DQ.

4. STARTING TIME:
 

Launching can begin at designated time (provided at time of Captains Meeting). 

 

5. LATE REGISTRATION:
 

No one will be able to registers AFTER the official launch time.

 

6. COMMUNICATIONS:
 

The use of mobile communication is allowed.

 

7. SPORTSMANSHIP:
 

All contestants are required to follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy and conservation. Intoxication will be cause for immediate disqualification.  Participation in any criminal activities, or other conduct reflecting unfavorably upon efforts to promote safety, sportsmanship, fair competition and compliance with tournament rules and the law are grounds for disqualification and/or rejection of any applicant from participation. This will also entail the return of any prizes awarded. The Chestertown Volunteer Fire Company Tournament Committee will seek legal remedy if necessary.

 

8. PERMITTED FISHING METHODS:
 

A. All fish must be caught on rod, reel, line and hook. No traps, snares, set lines or other methods of fishing other than rod, reel and line are permissible, even if level under state game laws. BOW AND ARROW ARE NOT PERMITTED

 

B. Nets and grippers (e.g., Fish Grip, Boga-Grip) may be used for landing fish during tournament competition.

 

C. Live and artificial baits allowed.
 

D. Competitors are allowed to share baits and tackle.
 

E.  During the hours of competition, contestants may not obtain or receive assistance, including but not limited to following a non-competitor's boat, the placing of markers by any non-competitor, towed by or riding on motorized vessels or electronic, voice or data communication from a non-competitor.
 

9. Watercraft & Propulsion
 

A. Fish caught from kayaks, canoes, paddleboards or other acceptable watercraft or by land are eligible for scoring. Acceptable watercraft is defined as any watercraft defined by the manufacturer as a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard and sold as such.  Motorized boats are permitted as long as they meet US Coast Guard standards.
 

B. The Chestertown Volunteer Fire Company Tournament Committee must approve in advance any other craft, paddled or otherwise propelled.  For questionable craft that may not qualify, contact the Chestertown Volunteer Fire Company Tournament Committee in advance for eligibility determination.
 

C. Trolling is permitted.
 

D.  TANDEMS/SHARING. It is permissible for more than 1 entrant to share the same watercraft. However each paddler must pay and compete as a single angler.  Fish may NEVER be shared among entrants.

 

10. PERMITTED FISHING LOCATIONS:
 

Fishing is permitted anywhere in the Chester River, Sassafras River and any tributary of said rivers. (Any TIDAL BODY of water within Kent County boundaries, NO PONDS).

 

11. RELEASE OF LIABILITY:
 

A waiver and release of liability statement is part of the entry form. It is required of each contestant that they take responsibility for themselves while participating in any tournament activities.

12. RULE CHANGES:
 

Rule interpretation will be left exclusively to the Chestertown Volunteer Fire Company Tournament Committee; all decisions are final in all matters and are not subject to appeal.

 

13. PROTEST:
 

Any and all protests must be submitted in writing, 30-minutes before the end time of tournament.  All protests will be reviewed by members of the Chestertown Volunteer Fire Company Tournament Weigh-in Committee.  All Committee decisions will be final and are not subject to appeal.

 

14. FINAL DECISIONS: Any decisions that need to be made in relation to the event will be done so by the tournament committee and their decisions are final.

15. RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE: all participants must sign a waiver, release of liability, and covenant not to sue before competing in any tournament. It is required that all participants take responsibility for themselves while participating in event activities.

 

 16. HAVE FUN: Remember, winning is not something you can completely control, because there is no way to play defense in this sport. All you can control is your fishing and your attitude….so relax, have fun, and enjoy your time on the water.

 

 

 

Chestertown Volunteer Fire Company Snakehead Tournament

 

STATEMENT OF HONOR: I will participate in this tournament while adhering to a high standard of sportsmanship, I have read all the rules, and will abide by the rules.

 

 PRINT NAME______________________________ SIGNATURE________________________________ DATE__________

 

 

 

SAMPLE PAYOUT BRACKETS

 

LESS THEN 20 PARTICIPANTS NO 3^RD PLACE PAYOUT

 

20 Participants:                                                       50 Participants:

 

1^st-  $200.00                                                  1^st-  $500.00

2^nd-  $100.00                                                 2^nd-  $250.00

3^rd-  $60.00                                                    3^rd-  $150.00

 

 

100 Participants:

 

1^st-  $1000.00

2^nd-  $500.00

3^rd-  $300.00

 

 

ALL PARTICIPATES ARE COMPETING FOR THE SAME PRIZE

NO DELINIATION FOR MINORS