Bay Rat Classic
21 and Under Tournament
Series 2 – Redfish
August 19, 2017
Captains Meeting will be held Friday, August 18 at 7 p.m.
At 161 Old Settlement Road, Seadrift, 77983
3 man team – artificial only – heaviest red – heaviest combined stringer of reds
$ 75 per boat ($25 person) $5 goes towards dinner after tournament.
Article 1: Rules and Regulations
1.01 These rules and regulations are the Official Rules (“Rules”) of the Bay Rat Classic (“Redfish Event”).
1.02 Participant(s) acknowledge and agree that they have reviewed, understand, and will abide by the Rules as posted at Participants willingly agree to comply with the Rules for participation in the Event.
1.03 All local, state & federal laws shall apply at all times including, without limitation, the penal code.
1.04 All local, state, U.S. Coast Guard, and federal boating and fishing regulations shall apply at all times.
1.05 In the event of a discrepancy between the printed version and digital version of the Rules, the official rules of the Bay Rat Classic shall be the rules posted on its Web site at the time of the Event.
Article II: Event Participation
2.01 All participants must be between the ages of 10 and 21.
2.02 Each Participant in a boat must be a paid contestant of the Event and abide by the Rules. There may be one person, over the age of 21, to “Captain” the vessel ONLY. This is so younger participants,which do not have a boat or are too young to operate a boat, may participate in the tournament. If you have a Captain over 21 years of age then that said person counts as your 3RDteam mate. The Captain CANNOT FISH; LAND FISH, FIGHT FISH OR TOUCH ANY FISH UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES WHAT SO EVER.
2.03 The Event is an open professional event. Anglers may not fish as individuals. A team consists of two (2-3) anglers, one of which must be designated as the captain. Only redfish/red drum will be weighed and the limit shall be two (2) fish per team. Tournament standings shall be determined by the aggregate weight measured in pounds and 100ths of an ounce.
2.04 All redfish caught by Participants fishing together will be disqualified, if any of the Participants are found to be in violation of any of the Rules.
2.05 Event officials reserve the right to refuse entry to anyone in their sole discretion.
2.06 Anyone who has ever failed a polygraph test and/or been disqualified in connection with any fishing tournament is not eligible for registration or participation.
Article III: Registration and Event Fee
3.01 Participants shall pay a one-time team entry fee of $75.00 (hereinafter “Event Fee”) to participate in the Event. The Event Fee must be paid prior to participation in the Event.
3.02 Online registration for the Event closes onFriday August 11th at 11:59 a.m. Teams may register late onFriday August 18that the Captain's Meeting from5-7p.m.,but there will be a $25.00 late fee.
3.03 There will be no refunds of the Event Fee.
3.04 There will be a captain's meeting at 161 Old Settlement Rd.Seadrift, TX77983 onFriday August 18thfrom7-8p.m.,that will be mandatory for at least one team member. Late registration will be from5-7 p.m., appetizers will be served from6-7p.m.,and rules review.
3.05 Optional Side Pot (Spot Pot) entry will be $25.00 per team. Side Pot will payout 100% and will pay the Team with the Redfish that has the most spots. Teams must be entered into the Side Pot to participate in the additional payout. In the event of a tie the winner will be the first team to weigh in.
3.06 Payment of the entry fee constitutes a representation by each Participant that he/she has read and understands the Rules and the Participant will abide by such Rules and the decisions of the Event Director and/or Event Staff.
3.07 Chemical substance addiction or abuse, conviction of a felony or other crimes including those involving moral turpitude, or other conduct reflecting unfavorably upon efforts to promote safety, sportsmanship, fair competition and compliance with Event Rules, shall be grounds for rejecting any application for registration and/or for disqualification, suspension from the Event, and/or other disciplinary action.
Article IV: Interpretation and Discipline
4.01 Participants agree to abide by the Rules and any decisions of the Event Director and/or Event Staff.
4.02 Interpretation and enforcement of the Rules shall be left to the sole and exclusive discretion of the Event Director or his/her designee at the Event. In the event a Participant(s) violates any rule set forth in the Rules or, at the discretion of the Event Director, other rule not specifically codified herein, the Event Director may impose a penalty and/or sanction on the Participant and/or his/her team. Such penalties and sanctions may include and up to disqualification from the Event and future events. Penalties and sanctions for violation of any rule set forth in the Rules or, at the discretion of the Event Director, other rule not specifically codified herein may include, but are not limited to, 1) loss of one or more fish; 2) disqualification from the Event; 3) disqualification from future events which may include a specific number of events, a specific time period, or a lifetime disqualification; 4) loss of Event Fee; 5) forfeiture of Event winnings and/or prizes; and 6) any other penalty determined by the Event Director or his/her designee and/or the Event Staff.
4.03 Each Participant agrees to report to the Event Director immediately any violation or infraction of the Rules. Failure to report violations, suggestions that Participant violated these Rules, or false verification of weigh-in forms, may be cause for disqualification.
Article V: Safety
5.01 Participants are aware he/she/they are participating in a physical activity in the sport of fishing that may be dangerous and can cause injury. These activities may involve severe cardiovascular stress and possible violent contact. Participants understand and acknowledge the activities involve certain risks including, but not limited to, death, serious neck and spinal injuries resulting in complete or partial paralysis, brain damage, and/or serious injury to virtually all bones, joints, muscles and internal organs, and property damage. Although particular rules, equipment, and personal discipline may reduce the risks associated with participating in the Event, the risk of serious injury does exist and cannot be completely eliminated.
5.02 During Event hours no alcoholic beverages or drugs (other than those purchased over-the-counter or prescribed by a licensed physician) are to be consumed by Participants or allowed in Participants’ boat until the Event is complete and examinations are complete.
5.03 All boats must be equipped with some type of emergency ignition cut-off device (kill switch) on any remote steered outboard while main engine is in use. Ignition cut-off device (kill switch) must operate properly, which means when the kill switch is activated the outboard main engine must stop running immediately. The ignition cut-off device (kill switch) must be attached to the boat operator at all times while the outboard main engine is in use.
5.04U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets are required for each person on board a boat during official practice and competition. Life jackets must be worn and strapped, snapped, or zippered securely, and maintained in that condition until the combustion engine is out of gear or shut off. Participants shall check inflatable life vest indicators daily during the Event.
5.05 If Participants observe any significant hazard, condition or activity during his/her presence or participation in the Event; Participants shall remove himself/herself from participation and bring it to the attention of a representative of the Event immediately.
5.06 Safe boat conduct must be observed at all times by Participants.
5.07 No firearms will be allowed in Participant’s boat during Event hours.
Article VI: Permitted Fishing Areas, Practice, Off Limits, No Information, and Hours
6.01 All fish must be caught on and in the official designated Event waters during official Event hours. Participants may fish anywhere on Event waters accessible to the public by boat, except areas designated as “off limits” or “no fishing” by private ownership or local, state and federal officials. No fish taken outside of tournament boundaries, from private impoundments or other waters not legally accessible to the general public will be permitted. Jumping dikes, landmasses or any other object, natural or manmade to enter an area is prohibited. Boundaries are the territorial waters of the State of Texas, and the extension of Texas borders seaward 200 miles. Any waters (bayous, sloughs, creeks, etc.) that extend beyond the common boundary waters of the State of Texas are off limits without exception.
6.02 Teams may practice on tournament waters any time prior to the event but must be off the water by4p.m.,onFriday, August 18th. Teams may practice together or alone and/or may practice with non-participants.
6.03 No fishing shall occur within fifty (50) yards of a marina gas pump.
6.04 You must have a visual on all team mates at all times.
6.05 Participants are limited to the use of a primary motorized boat or kayaks.
6.06 No fishing is allowed within one hundred (100) yards of a non-anchored boat or 100 yards (100) yards of an anchored boat. NO POTLICKERS
6.07 No radios or cell phones or communication devices of any kind may be used to contact anyone and/or be contacted with any fishing related question/information during competition hours. Communication with Event Staff and/or emergency services is acceptable. Social media communication of any kind is prohibited during Event hours.
6.08 No Participant may buy or barter a fishing location from any other Participant/Non-Participant for use during competition hours one week before the Captain’s meeting.
Article VII: Methods, Tackle and Equipment
7.01 All redfish must be caught on artificial bait by casting only, no foul hooking. A foul hooked fish is defined as a fish that does not have at least one hook in its mouth, and it must be released. No trolling with big motor. Participants may use only one rod at any one time. Other rods may be in the boat for substitute purposes. Chumming or fishing within 100 yards of any boat that is chumming is prohibited. If fishing from a motorized boat another team mate may net your fish. When wading or fishing from a kayak you must net your own fish.
7.02 No electronic tracking devices (implanted microchips) may be used to locate fish for Event purposes (depth-finders, sound mimicking devices (such as Hydrowave) and graph charts are the only exception).
Article VIII: Sportsmanship
8.01 Sportsmanship, courtesy, safety and redfish conservation are required from every Participant. Participants shall demonstrate professionalism and integrity in support of the sport of professional fishing. This includes any and all social media content that may be shared now or in the future. Any team or Participant found compromising the integrity of the sport and/or the Event may be subject to disciplinary action and/or disqualification.
8.02 The favorable public reputation of the Event, the sport of fishing, the Event Director, the Event Staff, sponsors, partners and officials is of paramount importance. Accordingly, Participants shall refrain from making unreasonable attacks, accusations, and comments that disparage the integrity of the Event, the sport of fishing, the Event Director, the Event Staff, sponsors, partners and officials
8.03 Participants shall act in a courteous manner at all times, especially with regard to boating and angling in the vicinity of non-participants who may be on Event waters.
8.04 Any Participants attempting to manipulate the outcome of the Event or defraud the Bay Rat Classic will be disqualified and may be subject to prosecution.
Article IX: Weigh-in, Points, and Penalties
9.01 There will be an informal launch at safe light (check in time will be determined at the Captain’s Meeting). Check-in will be mandatory by cellular device. Team Captain will send a text with the team name, when launching, to the designated number that will be given out at the Captain’s meeting. Teams are required to bring their respective partners with them to the official weigh-in site.
9.02 Weigh in will be a dead weigh in. Fish do not have to be alive. Fish will be measured and weighed in the condition they are brought in.
9.03 Any artificially weighted or preserved redfish will be disqualified and the Participants may be subject to prosecution and shall be disqualified from all future Bay Rat Classic events. Any questionable fish will be subject to inspection by a marine biologist or similarly qualified expert.
9.04 It is the team’s responsibility to know the legal limits and redfish slot rules/regulations for the specific body of water where they are competing. Any team failing to adhere to local, state and federal laws will be disqualified.Texas 20-28 inch slot limit.
9.05 Any alteration of length or weight of redfish is prohibited and the team will be banished from any future Bay Rat Classic events and subject to potential prosecution.
9.06 All fish will be measured with the standardized hands off measuring system (Check-It-Stick). Total length is measured from tip of snout with mouth closed to top of compressed tail. The fish must have a natural tail. The top portion (tips) of the tail must be intact and complete. Line cuts and small sections missing from the center or bottom portion of the tail may be acceptable. The Event Director will make all decisions regarding total length.
9.07 No mutilated fish will be weighed. "Mutilation" is defined as any damage, which impairs the fish's fighting ability. Old or partially healed wounds may be acceptable provided it does not interfere with the total length of the fish. The Event Director will make all decisions regarding mutilation.
9.08 Any team checking in after the official check-in time will be assessed a one-pound penalty for each minute late, up to fifteen (15) minutes at which time the team will be disqualified. Event hours will be safe light to3:00 p.m.cellular time.
Article X: Boat Inspection
10.01 All Participants, by entering this Event, hereby agree to allow their boat to be boarded and inspected by Event Officials at any time prior to, during, or following the Event, to include, but not limited to, their boat registration, U.S. Coast Guard horsepower rating plate, live-well, rod boxes, closed storage compartments, tackle boxes, life jackets, personal floatation devices, and safety equipment.
10.02 No gas cans or any other non-factory installed fuel containers may be carried.
10.03 The Event cooperates with local law enforcement, park rangers and fish/wildlife officers during the Event. If any Participant is found to be in violation of local, state or federal law during Event hours, he/she/they will immediately be disqualified and unable to compete in future tournaments.
Article XI: Protests and Disputes
11.01 All protests or disputes relating to any matter involving the Rules and/or the Event must be registered in writing with the Event Director within fifteen (15) minutes of the designated weigh-in and prior to delivery of any prizes or winnings. Protests made after the deadline will be disregarded and the protesting team or Participant may be subject to disqualification.
11.02 Any protest filed by a Participant shall be heard by the Event Staff. After reviewing the protest submitted, the Event Director shall inform the protesting Participant of the Event Staff’s decision. The Event Staff’s decision is final and not subject to further appeal.
11.03 The interpretation and enforcement of the Rules will be the sole responsibility of the Event Director and, if protested, the Event Staff.
Article XII: Miscellaneous
12.01 Prior to competing in the Event, Participant shall execute and return the Bay Rat Classic Agreement. Failure to do so will result in immediate removal from the Event.
12.02 The headings, captions, titles, and numbering system are inserted only as a matter of convenience and may under no circumstances be considered in interpreting the provisions of this Agreement.
12.03 The Rules shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas in all respects, including matters of construction, interpretation, validity, and enforcement.
12.04 Participant’s entry into an Event via mail, facsimile, online or onsite is your express consent to receive email, phone, and text message communication from the Bay Rat Classic and any of its successors, directors, members, officers, agents, contractors, affiliates, employees, sponsoring agencies, sponsors, advertisers before, during, and after an Event. Participants who remain in the Bay Rat Classic database after an Event understand they may receive ongoing Event and event series updates. In order to discontinue communication, it is Participant’s responsibility to notify the Bay Rat Classic in writing to opt out of the Bay Rat Classic’s mail, email, text message, and other databases.