2009 Great South Bay Kayak Fishing Tournament – Rules and Regulations

1. Participation and Eligibility - 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. Minors must have the signature of his or her parent or legal guardian on the registration form as applicable to any state, commonwealth, county, or federal regulations or law. The obligation to know these rules falls upon the parent. A completed registration form along with entry fee must be received prior to the tournament start, and/or, any published deadline. Entry fees are nonrefundable.

2. Dates - June 19th starting at 7:30p.m. to June 20th ending at 2:30 pm. Raffle and Awards Ceremony at 3p.m on June 20.

3. Location - The Great South Bay area waters on the south shore of Long Island, NY including bay areas and inlets, but not including ocean waters. The West/East boundaries will be defined from the map as published on www.likayaking.com .
-Tournament Headquarters – Captains meeting, check-in, launch option, and awards/raffle ceremony will be at The Dinghy Shop.

4. Rain Date and Restrictions – There will be no rain date. If needed based on wind and water conditions, the tournament directors may restrict launch options and total location as noted in #3. Should severe weather/wind/water conditions require cancellation of fishing as determined by tournament directors, there will still be a raffle, refreshments, and tournament ceremony.

5. Captains Meeting – ALL participant must attend the mandatory Captains meeting/check-in prior to fishing for the tournament. Captain’s meeting and check-in will take place on June 19th at 7pm ,and, on June 20th at 7am.

6. Divisions and Categories – There will be 2 Divisions with 4 categories per division.
• Divisions:
Open (Conventional fishing gear.) and Fly (Fly fishing only gear.)

• Categories:
Slam – Longest aggregate length of largest fish for one of each of the 3 the targeted species - striped bass, bluefish, and weakfish.
Species – Longest length for each individual targeted species –striped bass, bluefish, weakfish.

7. Format and Scoring - The tournament is a catch, photo, and release format. Release, while not mandatory for “legal” sized fish, is encouraged. Species category winners will be determined by the length of the longest fish. The slam division winners will be determined by the combined length of the 3 longest fish for targeted species. At the captains meeting each contestant will be issued an identifier/measuring device and a score sheet for uniformity. Participants must use their own digital cameras with removable memory, or, a disposable digital camera. The identifier/measuring device must be visible in every picture with the length clearly showing. Length should be measured to the nearest half of an inch from tip of the lower jaw to the tip of an un-pinched tail. In case of a tie, the next longest fish for each tied angler will be used. The tournament committee and directors have the final authority for all judging.

8. Prizes –
• Trophies – Trophies will be awarded to the winners in each of the 4 categories of each division.
• Raffle – ALL participants will be included into the tournament raffle held at the awards ceremony.
 

9. Fishing regulations – Each participant must abide by the current fishing regulations and laws as designated for the State of New York.

10. Permitted Fishing Methods – All fish must be caught via hook and line by bait or artificial lure. All fish must be caught via kayak, canoe, hybrid, or similar non-motorized paddle/peddle only craft –hereinafter referred to as “kayak”. Wade/shore fishing is allowed provided the kayak was the sole means of transportation to the fishing zone, and provided that the kayak is within sight and within a safely reachable distance of the angler at all times! No ferrying (transfer by powerboat) allowed.

11. Safety – Safe boating must be observed at all times. Each participant is required to follow U.S. Coast Guard regulations including possession of coast guard approved type lll personal flotation devise (PFD), 360 degree light, and a whistle.

12. Communications – The use of mobile communication is allowed.

13. Sportsmanship – All contestants are required to follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy and conservation. Intoxication will be cause for immediate disqualification. No alcoholic beverages or the use of illegal drugs is allowed. This rule extends through and includes signing of the check-in form at tournament headquarters to the end of the event. The illegal use of drugs, 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 Dinghy Shop will seek legal remedy if necessary.

14. 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 activity.

15. Protest - All protests must be made in writing within 30 minutes of the tournament’s noted start or finish time. The tournament directors have the final authority in any and all considerations.

16. Rules interpretation/changes – Rules interpretation and any possible changes will be left exclusively to the tournament directors and the Dinghy Shop. All decisions of this collective group are final and are not subject to appeal.

17. Charity – This a charity tournament with all proceeds donated to: Project Healing Waters.