Rules for the 2010 Georgia Kayak Fishing Tournament Trail

Lake Harding, Blanton Creek Park– March 12-13, 2010

Northeast Chain of Lake, Tallulah Falls Lake Park– May 14-15, 2010

Coastal, Coffee Bluff Marina– July 9-10, 2010

Lake Oconee, Parks Ferry – September 17-18, 2010

 

1. RULE CHANGES - Rules may change or be edited at the discretion of the Tournament

Director(s) at any time up to tournament date. Final rules will be discussed and clarified at the

Captain’s Meeting. Decisions of the Tournament Director(s) are final in all matters and are not

subject to appeal. Protests must be made in writing and delivered to the Tournament Director(s) within 30 minutes of the contestant’s official check-in time.

 

2. 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

entry form, waiver, and entry fee from each contestant, failure to do so may result in disqualification or ban participation. The entry fee includes the rights to fish, post tournament awards meal and Captain’s bag (limited to first fifty paid entrants per Tourney).  All participants must have a valid Georgia Fishing License and adhere to all Georgia DNR rules and regulations.  At the Lake Harding tournament, anglers may fish with either an Alabama or Georgia Fishing License.

 

2(a). SPECIAL DIVISIONS - The 2010 Tournament Trail will have separate divisions for Youth Anglers and Military Anglers. Anglers aged 16 or younger on the date of the tournament will be eligible for Youth Angler status. All Active Duty Military/ Reservists with a valid military ID will be eligible for Military Angler status. Anglers in these special divisions will be given two options they may pay a reduced rate of $37.50 per tournament (half the normal registration rate). At this reduced rate, anglers will be competing against the other anglers in their respective division and the largest slam of fish caught in each division will receive a new fishing kayak by Wilderness Systems. At this reduced rate anglers will not be eligible to accumulate points for the entire series nor will they be eligible for the other prize packages in the tournament.

If a given angler qualifies for a special division but wishes to be eligible for the points competition as well as the remainder of the prizes, they have the option to pay the full price of $75. This will make them eligible for all prizes as well as their respective special division prize.

 

All anglers that qualify for the Junior Angler special division are required to be escorted by someone age 21 or older in addition to having their parent or legal guardian sign the release form as mentioned in rule 2.


2(b). SPECIAL DIVISION PRIZES -The Military Division winner will be determined by the longest total length of qualifying fish.  A total of 3 qualifying fish, limited to 1 of each qualifying species, may be submitted at each tournament.  The Military Division winner at each tournament will receive a Wilderness Systems Commander Kayak. 

 

The Youth Division winner will be determined by the longest total length of qualifying fish.  A total of 3 qualifying fish, limited to 1 of each qualifying species, may be submitted at each tournament.  The Youth Division winner at each tournament will receive a Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 Kayak.

 

 

 

3. REGISTRATION and CAPTAIN’S MEETINGS - Entry fee of $75 can be paid by check, cash

or paypal (on line). Registration will be accepted through the start of each tournament.  Captain's meetings will be held at the following locations on the Friday evening before each tournament.  Meeting times will be announced ASAP.

 

Captain’s Meeting Locations

Lake Harding – Blanton Creek Park

Northeast Chain of Lakes – Tallulah Falls Lake Park

Coastal – Coffee Bluff Marina

Lake Oconee – Parks Ferry

 

Attendance at the Captain’s meeting is not mandatory but highly recommended. The first 50 paid entrants will receive their Captain’s Bag, see section 12. CAPTAIN'S BAGS, at the meetings as well as the measuring device and rules. If you cannot make the meetings you must attend the 6:00 am to 8:00 am briefing the morning of each tournament at the captain’s meeting location.

 

Entry forms are available on line at: www.kayakfishingtrail.com/registration


4. SCORING - The tournament will be a catch-measure-photo-release event using the length of fish in inches to determine the score. Contestants can submit a total of 3 fish, but, not more than 1 of each qualifying species for their total score.   For more information see section 13. TOURNAMENT TRAIL SCORING

 

5. Qualifying Fish -

  • · Lake Harding – (1) Catfish species (1) Black Bass (1) White bass or Hybrid Striped Bass or Striped Bass

  • · North East Chain of Lakes – (1) Catfish species (1) Black Bass (1) Walleye or Pickerel or Brown Trout

  • · Coastal – (1) Sea Trout, (1) Redfish, (1) Flounder

  • · Lake Oconee - (1) Catfish (1) Black Bass (1) White bass or Hybrid Striped Bass or Striped Bass

 

The use of DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY to document all entries will be the only

accepted method for recording fish. Each contestant will submit their camera, memory chip

and download cable so that pictures may be retrieved. Contestants may be asked to assist

in downloading their pictures. Be sure to state what model camera you will be using when

your submit your registration. Cameras may be shared by more than one entrant. The first

photo submitted must be of your kayak with your measuring device and tournament ID card.

In the event of sharing a camera, each entrant’s kayak, as stated above, shall be the first

photos recorded on the camera. Each submitted digital picture of a fish must be made in or

on your kayak, with the GKF issued measuring device and ID card in the photo. Each photo

must also clearly show the length of the fish. Length is determined from the forward most

point of the fish (fish must be facing to the left) to the natural un-pinched top of the tail.  All fish must have a closed mouth, and open mouth will result in a 1" deduction.  Submitted fish measuring the same length must have distinctive differences in appearance or be subject to disqualification by the tournament judges. A signed Tournament Scorecard must be submitted to the judges. The judges will be responsible to review all photos to verify qualification and determine place winners. The tournament director will have final authority to review all submissions and certify winners.

 

6. 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.  At the Coastal Tournament, participants will be required to disclose their general launch location for safety purposes.

 

7. 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 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.

 

8. PERMITTED FISHING LOCATIONS –

  • · Lake Harding – Anywhere on the lake you can reach from the launch site.

  • · Northeast Chain of Lakes – Wherever you can reach on Lake Tugaloo, Lake Seed, Lake Rabun, from designated launch locations.

  • · Coastal – Anywhere as long as you launch and take out in Georgia water.

  • · Lake Oconee - Anywhere on the lake you can reach from the launch site.

 

Lake Harding and Oconee launch sites will be at their respective Captain's meeting locations.  The Northeast Chain of Lakes launch sites will be announced as soon as possible.

 

9. PERMITTED FISHING METHODS – All fish must be caught with rod and reel using any baits

as long as rules and regulations of the GaDNR are followed as it pertains to the use of live or natural baits. All fish must be caught from a kayak or canoe. No wade fishing or shore fishing is permitted unless the kayak or canoe is tethered to the angler.

 

10. 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 are final and not subject to appeal.

 

11. PRIZES - First through third place will be awarded to any paid contestant for the most length

of qualifying fish. Individual tournament prizes will be awarded to the three anglers who submit the longest qualifying fish. These prizes are as follows:

1st place:

  • All Tournaments: Ocean Kayak Trident 13 Angler Edition, Humminbird 385ci Sonar/ GPS Kit including battery and mounting gear, Carlisle VooDoo Paddle, Extrasport Sturgeon PFD, $100 Columbia Sportswear $100 gift card.

2nd place:

  • Lake Harding: Wilderness Systems Ride 135, Aqua Bond AL Stingray Paddle 240, Stohlquist Piseas PFD

  • North Georgia Lakes: Heritage Redfish 12, Bond AL Stingray Paddle 240, Stohlquist Piseas PFD

  • Savannah, GA: Wilderness Systems Ride 135, MTI Adventurewear PFD, Adventure Technology Paddle

  • Lake Oconee: Hobie Outback Kayak, Hobie Paddle, TBD PFD

3rd place:

  • All Tournaments: CaptDick Enterprises StakeOutPole, Polar Bear Cooler, MRI Adventurewear Calcutta PFD, Surf to Summit Seat (Model TBD)

 

The overall Tournament Trail prizes awarded to anglers with the most points after the fourth tournament are as follows:

 

1st place - $2,500, A Hobie Pro Angler Kayak, Torqeedo Ultralight Kayak Trolling Motor and a $100 Columbia Sportswear gift card.

2nd place - $2,000.

3rd place - $1,000.

 

Overall Tournament Trail Prizes will be given out after the fourth tournament on September 18, 2010 at Lake Oconee.

 

12. CAPTAIN'S BAGS

The first 50 paid and registered participants per tournament receive a Hobie Captain's Bag including:

  • Custom Designed Tournament T-Shirt

  • Meal Ticket For The Festival

  • Subscription To Kayak Angler Magazine Online

  • Raffle Ticket

  • Assorted Fishing Tackle

 

In addition to the Captain’s bags at each event, the first 25 anglers to pay $300 and register early for all four events will receive a Columbia PFG Blood and Guts Long Sleeve Fishing Shirt!

 

13. TOURNAMENT TRAIL SCORING: For the first three legs of the tournament, the first place winner will be rewarded 150 points for first place.  The scoring will decrease in five-point increments to 5th place, four-point increments to 10th place, three-point increments to 15th place, two-point increments to 20th place and one-point increments thereafter. 

After 40th place, total length of fish is rounded up to the nearest (inch) and ties will be allowed. At 40th place and above, there will be no rounding and ties will be decided in favor of the angler who entered their scorecard first.

Every angler who shows up and fishes in the tournament receives 30 points if they catch no fish. 

In the final leg of the tournament scoring will start at 200 points and will decrease the same amount as before and anglers will get 80 points if they catch no fish.

 

13(a). BONUS POINTS

Bonus points are rewarded on the following basis for all four tournaments:

  • Early Bird Bonus: Registering and paying for a tournament before the Captains meeting for that tournament earns 10 bonus points for that tournament.

  • Georgia Giant Bonus: Registering and paying for all four tournaments before the first captains meeting earns 12 bonus points to EACH tournament.

  • Big Fish Bonus: The longest qualifying fish caught at each tournament will win a bonus of 10 points.

  • Comeback Bonus: After the second, third and fourth tournaments are scored and bonus points are added, anglers will be awarded additional points if they moved up in standings.  One point for every one place gained.  I.E. An angler who goes from 30th place to 25th place will receive 5 bonus points.

 

 

14. TEAM STRUCTURE - Anglers who wish to may assemble a team for no additional cost. Team members must identify their sole team affiliation at the first event. Teams may have up to 6 anglers. Only the top four angler for each team score at each event. Team members must be registered and paid to qualify. Team members remain eligible for individual awards. The team with the highest aggregate point totals at the end of the trail will be the winners.

14 (a) TEAM PRIZES - The Team division winners will win an overnight trip for 6 on the Capt Gabby. For details on the Capt. Gabby visit http://www.GeorgiaKayakFishing.com/CaptGabby

 

15. ENTRY FEE - The entry fee is $75 per tournament. Any angler wanting to fish all four

tournaments and increase their opportunity to win the grand prize can pay an initial fee of

$300 for all four tournaments.

 

16. CHECK IN - Check in times will be between 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm. Check in locations will be at each tournament’s respective captain’s meeting spot. All competitors must check in their cameras, memory chip and cable, along with their measuring device no later than 3:00 pm to be eligible for fishing prizes. You must be checked in or be in line at 3:00 pm to avoid disqualification. No

exceptions. At Check In you must indicate whether or not you are submitting your camera

for review and fill out a scoring sheet. The post tournament award ceremony, raffles, and

meal will begin at 3:00 pm.

 

17. NO MOTORS ALLOWED - The use of a boat or motorized water vehicle to transport your

boat on the water is prohibited. All craft must be self-propelled - no engines are allowed.

Kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddle boards only.  If you have a questionable watercraft, please contact the tournament director(s) for clearance.

 

18. Only one contestant per Kayak is allowed. Tandem fishing may be allowed per clearance from the tournament director(s).


19. The tournament director(s) decisions are final in all matters.


20. 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 meeting or tournament day briefing.