GEORGIA KAYAK FISHING TOURNAMENT TRAIL RULES

1. PARTICIPATION AND ELIGIBILITY

* Participation is open to all anglers 18 years old or above. Anglers younger than 18 years old may participate upon submitting a release form with parent or guardian signature.

* Georgia Kayak Fishing (GKF) must receive a completed ACA waiver and entry fee from each contestant prior to the event. Failure to do so will result in disqualification or ban participation.

* All participants must have a valid Georgia Fishing License and adhere to all Georgia DNR rules and regulations.

2. REGISTRATION, ENTRY FEE AND CAPTAIN’S BRIEFING

* Participants will be able to register online at georgiakayakfishing.com. An announcement will be made when registration for each event is open. Additionally participants may register at the event the morning of.

* The entry fee is $35 per tournament, $30 for GKF Supporting, Benefactor, and Lifetime Members. For GKF Bass Trail events, there will be a optional $5 Big Bass pot.

* Captain’s Briefings will be in the morning, immediately before each tournament. Tmes will be set individually for each event and will be listed in the event information postng. Attendance at the Captain’s Briefing is mandatory. These briefings will serve the purpose of signing insurance forms, issuing tournament IDs and rules review.

3. ACCEPTABLE WATERCRAFT

* All vessels must be human-powered. Acceptable watercraft include kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards only.

* The use of a boat or motorized water vehicle to transport your boat on the water is prohibited. (ie. no “mothershipping”).

* All craft must be self-propelled – no engines are allowed. Accomodations will me made for anglers with special needs, with the prior approval of the Tournament Director.

* Only one angler per kayak is allowed. Tandem fishing may be allowed with prior approval from the Tournament Director.

* If you have a questionable watercraft, please contact the Tournament Director for clearance.

4. LAUNCH POINTS

* All participants will launch from the same location unless otherwise noted in the tournament information. In the event of multiple launch locations, GKF Board Members will be each launch location to safeguard kayaks during the Captain’s Briefing and to ensure all participants launch at the designated time.

* All participants will return to the same location for weigh-in.

* All participants will launch and return at the same designated time.

5. GENERAL RULES

* NO fish will be kept in ice chests, baskets, stringers, etc.

* All fish will be photographed and immediately released unharmed.

* Each fish may only be submitted once.

* Failure to comply with these rules will result in the angler being disqualified.

6. ELIBIBLE SPECIES

* All Black Bass species are eligible (Largemouth, Spot, Shoal, Smallmouth, Redeye)

* All fish will be caught, photographed, and released

7. PERMITTED FISHING METHODS

* All fish must be caught with rod and reel.

* Only artificial lures may be used. Live bait (or formerly “live” bait) is prohibited.

* All fish must be caught from a kayak or canoe. No wade fishing or shore fishing is permitted.

8. SAFETY

* Safety is of utmost importance and must be observed by all participants.

* Each participant is required to comply with US Coast Guard regulations including approved PFD. All USCG and GA DNR regulations are in effect at all times.

* PFDs are required to be worn at all times. Failure to comply will result in immediate disqualification.

9. SPORTSMANSHIP

* All participants are required to follow the highest standards of sportsmanship, courtesy and conservation.

* During competition, participants shall not obtain assistance including but not limited to the following: from a non-participant’s boat, the placing of markers by a non-participant, being towed, hauled, provided with electronic data or voice communication from non-participants.

* The possession/use of alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs is prohibited. Any possession/use of alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs, participation in criminal activity, or other conduct reflecting unfavorably upon our efforts to promote safety, sportsmanship, fair competition, and/or compliance with tournament rules, are grounds for immediate disqualification and return of any prizes awarded.

10. WEIGH IN

* Digital Photography will be the only accepted method for recording fish. Acceptable methods of photography include smart phones and digital cameras. If you choose to use a digital camera, you are responsible for providing the necessary download cable for photo verification.

* All anglers must use their own smart phone or digital camera to record their catches. The sharing of a smart phone or digital camera is prohibited.

* The designated weigh-in time will be in the tournament announcement and will also be specified in the Captain’s Briefing. Anglers arriving late to weigh in will have 1” deducted from their total for every five minutes they are late. Anglers 15 minutes or more late will be disqualified.

* When anglers arrive at the weigh in, they will complete and sign a scorecard listing their identifier number and record the fish they are submitting. Scorecards will then be submitted to the Tournament Director for rccording and verification.

11. SCORING

* Each angler will be given a unique identifier for the event. Your identifier must be visible in each photo submitted.

* The minimum length for submission is 10”. The tail may be pinched or natural.

* The only accepted measuring device will be the Hawg Trough. Markings on the Hawg Trough must be clearly marked to the 1/4”.

* All fish must be measured facing left, with the dorsal fin up. The mouth must be touching the end of the measuring device and must be closed. Fish submmited with an open mouth will receive a 1” deduction.

* Stringers, fish grips, etc. may NOT be used while photographing your catch. Anglers may NOT restrain the fish by placing their hands under the gill plate. The fish may NOT be held on the board by any method other than the angler’s hand (ie. no rubber bands, etc.) Any photos submitted that do not follow these rules will be disqualified.

* Fish will be measured to the nearest 1/4”, rounding down.

* The entire fish must be visible in the photo. In the event that the entire fish is not pictured, the last measurement visible will be used to determine length.

* Fish of the same length must have some visible difference to be accepted.

* The lengths of the three longest fish will be the anglers score. In the event of a tie, anglers will be scored based on the time order in which their scorecards were submitted, with the earliest submission scored first.

* The Tournament Director will have final authority to review all submissions and certify winners.

12. RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE

* A waiver, release of liability, and covenant not to sue must be signed by all contestants before competing in any tournament. It is required that all contestants take responsibility for themselves while participating in event activities. These will be presented at each event’s Captain’s Briefing.

13. RULE CHANGES

* Rules may change or be edited at the discretion of the Tournament Director at any time up to the tournament date. Final rules will be discussed and clarified at the Captain’s Briefing.

* Decisions of the Tournament Director are final in all matters and are not subject to appeal.

14. OTHER

* Scoring photos shall remain the sole property of GKF to be used at their discretion. Participants agree to grant GKF and their sponsors the unrestricted right to use their name, voice, photographic likenesses and biographical information in connection with GKF tournaments, productions, promotions, articles, news releases and any/or other means determined by GKF, and shall not be entitled to receive any compensation of any form in connection of said use.

* Tournament rule interpretation is exclusively assigned to the Tournament Director and his decision in said matters is final and not subject to appeal.

Posted by Nick Adams on Thursday, April 14th, 2016 @ 4:34PM

Categories: Tournaments

Tags: Tournaments