Bass Tournament Rules

 

Participation and Eligibility

The tournaments are open to all anglers provided they meet the requirements and honor all rules and regulations stated.

 

Liability Release and License Requirements

1. All participants must sign a liability release before the start of each event.  We will not be held liable for injuries or loss of equipment.

2. All participants under the age of 18 must provide a liability release before the start of the event signed by a parent or guardian who is present.

3. All participants must have a valid Florida freshwater fishing license, and follow all FWC rules and regulations found here http://myfwc.com/fishing/freshwater/regulations/

 

Entry Fees

Entry Fees are $20 CASH ONLY for the entry to each tournament. 

1. All participants must pay the entry fee prior to fishing.

2. All participants will have to complete a SIGNED wavier prior to fishing.

 

Other Fees

Karick Lake has a "Day Use" Fee of $2.00 per person or you can purchase an annual day pass for $30.00 found here https://www.floridastateforests.org/memberships

 

Watercraft

1. Only man powered vessels (canoes, kayaks, SUPs) will be allowed, no gasoline or electric motors.

2. All fish must be taken from your vessel; you are not permitted to leave your watercraft to fish.

3. Only one paid entrant per vessel.

 

Launch Point

1. All competitors must launch from shore at a designated launch spot (no mother shipping).

2. All competitors will launch at a designated launch time.

 

Fishing Methods

1. Only commercially available artificial baits/lures/flies and hand tied flies will be permitted.

2. No live, or dead bait may be used (includes chumming).

3. Rod and Reel and Fly Rods are the only acceptable devices for use.

 

Safety Regulations

1. PFD must be worn at all times while on the water. Violators will be immediately disqualified.  You are also required to carry a signaling device, such as a whistle.

2. No alcohol, illegal substances, or non-prescribed drugs may be used at any time while participating at any event. This includes from the time the challenge starts (Captain's Meeting) until the time awards are awarded.

3. Drug and alcohol use is strictly prohibited. Any challenger found to be under the influence within reasonable suspicion will be disqualified, moneys non-refunded, and receive a score of 0.

 

General Rules

1. No fish will be kept on stringers, baskets, ice chests, etc.

2. All fish will be immediately released unharmed after a picture is taken.

3. Any one fish can only be submitted once.

4. Attendance at Captain’s meeting is mandatory.

 

Qualifying Fish

1. Largemouth Bass, http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/fish/freshwater/largemouth-bass/

2. Catch Photo and Release alive only.

3. Minimum length is 8” to score.

4.  There will be a three fish limit; your best three fish will be your total.

 

Weigh In

1. All competitors’ camera memory cards must be turned in at a pre-determined designated place and time. Cell phone pictures will be allowed, however you must turn in your phone at the time of judging and will be unable to use it until all judging is complete.

2. Late Check – in all participants will be given a 15 minute buffer and after the 15 minute buffer there will be a 1” penalty per 5 minutes that will be deducted from the challenger’s total. At the 30 minute mark the angler will be disqualified (no exceptions).

 

Judging

1. Angler’s photos will be judged, and scored by a panel designated by the ECKA Staff.

     a. Photos that do not meet requirements will not be counted.

     b. No competitors will be allowed in the scoring area while the judging is taking place.

     c. The tournament organizer and staff will be solely responsible and retain the right to declare any photos unacceptable.

     d. After prizes are awarded the tournament is declared complete and all results are final.

 

Delays/Reschedule/Cancellation

1. Inclement Weather: The Tournament Director may delay, reschedule, or cancel a tournament.

2. If cancelled or rescheduled participants have the choice to be refunded, or have their fee applied to a future scheduled event.

3. There will be no refunds for no-shows regardless of reason.

 

Scoring

1. Each angler will be provided a unique identifier, and given a score card. This identifier must be fully visible and legible in the photo.

2. Your 3 LONGEST verified lengths will be your total score. Fish will be measured to the nearest ¼” and there will be no rounding up only down.

3. The angler with the highest total score will be declared the winner.

 

Photo Criteria

1. Photo must include the entire fish

2. Fish must face the left.

3. Mouth must be closed within reason.

4. Dorsal fin must be facing upward

5. Tail un-pinched

6. Fish visibly unharmed

7. Markings on the measuring device must visible and legible.

8. Photos must be taken from directly above the fish, not at an angle, within reason.

9. Assigned identifier must be visible.

10. Entire fish must be visible in the picture, no obstructions.

11. Some part of watercraft must be visible in photo.

 

Photo Release

Participants grant ECKA and sponsor all rights to use their photos, name, voice, biographical information in any promotion, production, articles, or press releases without entitlement to royalties or compensation in connection with such use.

 

Photo Submission Criteria/Process

1. Memory Cards are to be clear of any photos prior to the event.

2. Only fish scoring pictures to be submitted.

3. Photos must be submitted in the exact order they were taken.

 

Measuring Device

1. No sharing of measuring devices.

2. Your measuring device may be checked at any time.

3. Only commercially available measuring devices may be used, no homemade rulers permitted.

4. If markings on the measuring device cannot be clearly read the fish will not be scored. ¼” increments must be visible.

Rules, Interpretation, and Protests

1. All rules are decided and interpreted by the Tournament Director.

2. The Tournament Directors decisions are final.

3. Any protests shall be immediately directed to the Tournament Director.

4. Once the award ceremony begins all results are official and final even in the event of an error.

 

Ties

1. In the event of a tie, the following criteria will decide the winner.

     a. Biggest Fish

     b. 2nd Biggest Fish

     c. Time the card was submitted. (the one to turn in their memory card first).

 

Payouts

Each tournament will pay out the top two spots. The payouts are as follows:

First place will receive 70% of total entry fees.

Second place will receive 30% of total entry fees.

 

BIG BASS BATTLE

Big bass Battle will be a side entry fee of $5 CASH ONLY! The winner takes the pot!

 

Emerald Coast Kayak Bass Champion

Every fish you submit at an event adds to your yearly total of points.  The angler with the most accumulated points at the end of the season earns the title.  (1 Point for every 1” of fish) simple!  You MUST attend at least 2 ECKA events to earn the title.

 

Online Tournaments

1.  All Bass Tournament rules apply. 

2.  The online tournament runs from the 1st day of the month to the last day of the month. 

3.  All Black Bass Species will be counted.

4.  Photo submissions must be received by midnight on the last day of the month.

5.  Photos can be emailed to emeraldcoastkayakanglers@gmail.com or submitted on the Facebook page.

 

Inshore Tournaments

1.  All Tournament rules apply.

2.  There will be 3 divisions, Trout, Redfish and other fish.  Any legal fish may be submitted for other fish division.

3.  Only 1 fish can be submitted for each division (3).

4.  Wade fishing is allowed (provided the kayak is tethered to the angler).