Rules are below.
Series runs from March to November (schedule below)
$50 entry
Two-person teams
Artificial Only
Five trout stringers, two Trout over 20” can be weighed per team
All weigh-ins at Jerry’s Bait and Tackle allowing you to fish wherever you want
Sign up a week in advance so no need to check-in on tournament morning
Payout top three teams
Prizes for big trout and big redfish for each tournament
5% of tournament entries go to the Team of the Year (alternate partner allowed for one tournament)
TOY winner is determined by total weight for the year
Flyers are available at Jerry’s Bait and Tackle, Kevin’s, South Georgia Outdoors.
--------- 2012 Seatrout Tournament Series Rules ---------
Tournament Dates: March 18, April 22, May 20, June 10, July 15, August 19, September 23, October 14, November 11
Make Up Dates: July 29, October 28. If a tournament prior to the August tournament is cancelled due to weather, the make-up date will be July 29. If a tournament prior to the November tournament is cancelled, October 28 will be the make-up date.
1. The Seatrout Tournament Series is an open tournament series. If you have any questions, please contact Pat Irwin: 850-702-6339, PIrwin@howardfert.com, or Casey Cook: 850-228-8559, tcaseycook@gmail.com
2. Two-person teams. One of the anglers must be at least eighteen (18) years of age. Team members must fish on the same vessel.
3. The entry fee will be $50.00 per team per tournament. Anglers must register and pay at Jerry’s Bait and Tackle. Jerry's will open at 6:00 a.m. the morning of the tournament. Early registration is allowed starting the Monday before the tournament. Each team member will be required to sign a float plan at time of payment. All entry fees shall be paid in cash.
4. Boats entering any Seatrout Tournament Series tournament must comply with U.S. Coast Guard safety regulations and abide by Florida law.
5. Anglers may launch their boats at any boat ramp. Launch time will be at safe light for every event. Safe light is defined as 30 minutes before sunrise and will be posted prior to each tournament on www.bigbendfishing.net and at Jerry’s Bait and Tackle.
6. Fishing in any marked channels is prohibited.
7. Tournament participants may only use artificial baits. Live or cut bait is prohibited. All fish must be caught on rod and reel. All fish must be caught alive in a conventional sporting manner. Wade fishing is prohibited.
8. Weigh-Ins will start at 3:30 p.m. at Jerry’s Bait and Tackle (664 Woodville Hwy, Crawfordville). Anglers must be checked in with the tournament directors by 3:30 p.m. or else they will not be allowed to weigh fish.
9. The Tournament Director reserves the right to inspect any vessel or vehicle for illegal fish at any time. Failure to allow for a thorough inspection shall result in immediate dismissal from that day’s event. Further, that team shall be prohibited from attending or competing in any Seatrout Tournament Series event. All entry fee money shall be forfeited.
10. Each team may possess two limits of speckled trout (15"-20"). Teams shall ONLY weigh in five (5) fish. Two of the five trout may be over 20 inches. All fish will be measured with the mouth closed and the head against the golden rule headboard, tail pinched. Three overslot (20”+) trout brought to the scales will result in the disqualification of that team. Attempting to weigh underslot fish (less than 15”) will also result in disqualification. There are no exceptions. Any illegal fish brought to the scales shall be the responsibility of the angler. Courtesy measures are available prior to the start of the weigh-in.
11. Any team which abandons the tournament prior to weigh-in time is required to check in with the tournament director.
12. Each contestant is expected to conduct themselves in a proper, courteous, and professional manner and is responsible for their own actions both on and off the water. The tournament director reserves the right to polygraph test any team at any time. Failure to comply with this rule shall result in immediate expulsion and further prohibit you from any Seatrout Tournament Series event. Both members of the team will be required to take the polygraph test.
13. Any team who requests a polygraph exam of another team must bear the cost of the exam. If the accused passes the exam, the team initiating the exam shall forfeit his polygraph exam money. If the accused fails, the accused shall reimburse the exam money to the team initiating the exam process.
14. Cancellation Policy: The decision to fish is solely the captain’s choice. All anglers fish at their own discretion and risk. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Tournament director shall have the sole discretion to cancel the tournament for (hurricanes, tropical storms, small craft advisories, etc.) In the event a small craft advisory is in effect during tournament fishing hours, the tournament will be postponed and rescheduled.
15. POINTS RACE: All teams that weigh fish shall have their weight count toward team of the year honors. After all nine events, the team with the most weight shall be recognized as Team of The Year.
16. PAYOUT:
1st – 50% of entries
2nd – 30% of entries
3rd – 20% of entries
The remaining 5% from each tournament will be held until the final tournament weigh-in and awarded to the Seatrout Tournament Series Team of the Year.
17. The tournament director shall have final authority on all matters.
