TOURNAMENT RULES

1. Fishing will not start until 5:30 am, you may be on your fishing location, but you cannot start fishing until 5:30am. 

2. Each boat is limited to no more than four (4) anglers, including the skipper, for team competition. Boats with more than (4) anglers are eligible for individual awards only or the OPEN division. 

3. All entry fees must be paid when you send in your registration form. You may fill in your teammates or make changes in boat information at any time before the tournament. Registration deadline is 05/15/24.  After 05/15/24 registration fee is $125 per person with no guarantee of tournament shirt

4. No one may hold your fishing spots.

5. There is no limit as to the area that may be fished, as long as it is in waters that are open to the public.

6. All fish must be submitted for weigh-in by 2:00 pm. If you are in line at 2:00 pm with fish in hand, then you have made the deadline and your fish will be weighed. No exceptions!!! All tournament times go by Verizon Cell Phone Satellite time. Please allow time for unexpected delays getting back to weigh-in. 

7. Only fish caught during the tournament hours are eligible. All fish must be fresh and in an edible condition. Fish that have been frozen, gutted, or mutilated will not be eligible and the angler knowingly attempting to weigh a fish that is not legal will be disqualified along with team members. 

8. Any fish weighed in must be legal according to the laws of the State of Texas. 

9. Although it is legal to retain and tag a Red Fish over 28 inches, for the purpose of this tournament a tagged Red Fish will not be accepted. (Slot reds only 20in-28in)

10. All Speckled Trout must be in length of 15in.-max of 20in. exception being one Trout over 30in. per person.

11. All fish entered are subject to inspection and seizure by the Tournament Directors after dissection and/or Tory meter if the Weigh master feels that the need is necessary.

12. All fish must be caught on rod and reel. Each team member may only fish with one rod and reel at a time.

13. Any participant found to be in breach of tournament rules will be disqualified and will forfeit all fees and awards.

14. Protests must be filed with the Tournament Director by 2:30 pm.

15. Pooling or transfer of fish is strictly prohibited.

16. When a tie exists, with respect to weight, then the first fish/stringer weighed in will be declared the winner, unless the Tournament Directors rule otherwise.

17. The Tournament Directors decision will be final.

18. All anglers must have a current Texas Fishing License and Saltwater Stamp.

19. All team members must be within 100 yards of each other during the tournament hours while fishing.&

20. If fishing with a boat the entire team must use only one boat.

21. TEAM COMPETITION: Each team will weigh their choice of up to five (5) legal specks they have caught. You must choose the five (5) legal Specks you wish to weigh prior to coming to weigh-in. We will not weigh all of your fish and let you choose the heaviest. You may only use or weigh a fish one time. (Example: If you weigh a trout for the Team event it cannot be used for any other category.)

22. All fish will be measured in accordance with TPWD rules on measuring fish. (Check it stick) Pinching of tail to get maximum length will be in place according to TPWD guidelines.

23. If you weigh a fish in any other tournament and your fish is kept, this fish will not be allowed in the First Responders Tournament unless you have the fish in hand at weigh in.

24. Kayak or wade fishing all participants must be within 100yds of each other if fishing in the team event.

25. All participants must decide to fish the Team or the Open Division at time of registration.

 

Star NOTE RULE CHANGE: Live bait is allowed in the open division.

NOTE: ALL WINNERS MAYBE SUBJECT TO A POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION