Grand Rapids Area Chamber Pokegama Walleye Classic Tornament Rules Page

Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce “Catch, Record, Release” Walleye Classic June 19, 2010

2010 Tournament Rules & Regulations >>> Printable Version

ELIGIBILITY AND REGISTRATION

1. Each participant must complete, sign and submit a Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce Walleye Classic Tournament Official Entry Form. Registration forms are available at www.grandrapidschamberwalleyeclassic.com. Registration forms, along with the correct entry fee, can be mailed to: The Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, 1 NW 3rd Street, Grand Rapids, MN 55744 or faxed to (218) 326-4825.
2. Early bird registration (by January 15, 2010), per team is $380.00. After January 15, 2010, entry fee is $420.00. Entry deadline is June 11, 2010.
3. Tournament entry fees are non-refundable and non-transferable regardless of the date of cancellation. A waiting list for participants will be maintained by the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce. In the event of a cancellation, the next person on the waiting list will be notified. If a fully paid team alternative fills the cancellation opening prior to the entry deadline, the cancellation will be eligible for a 50% refund.
4. All participants must possess valid fishing licenses for the tournament waters being fished.
5. As a condition of participation in the tournament, each participant must execute a Release of Liability. The release indemnifies the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce and tournament sponsors.
6. Participants must have proper liability insurance for the boat being used in the Walleye Classic tournament.
7. As a condition of participation in the tournament, each competitor must sign a Publicity Release. This release allows the use of the participant’s likeness in all marketing.
8. A team must have two (2) persons and must fish in the same boat. One (1) team per boat.
9. The Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce Walleye Classic reserves the right to refuse entry to any individuals who have been barred or disqualified from any tournament for rules violations.
10. Contestants under 18 years of age must have the signature of his/her parent or legal guardian on the entry form, as well as the contestant’s signature.

CATCH-RELEASE-RECORD FORMAT/SCORING

1. The Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce Walleye Classic Tournament is designed for “weigh-in” through a photo and scorecard process, referred to as the “CRR”: Catch-Record-Release. No fish will be brought to the “weigh-in Stage”.
2. CRR requires the use of a digital camera. One digital camera that has a date and time feature and that is compatible for a SD memory card will be required per team. CAMERAS WILL NOT BE PROVIDED. PARTICIPANTS ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE THEIR OWN SD COMPATIBLE CAMERA. Blank formatted SD memory cards will be provided for tournament use.
3. Participants agree to use the provided required official tournament ruler and Official Tournament Scorecard. Team members agree to work together to measure, photograph, and record their catch.
4. The Catch, Record, Release procedures will be reviewed at the Rules meeting. The general procedures are as follows:
5. Team participant #1 holds the fish on the official tournament ruler. The belly of the fish must face the team participant #2, who will be taking the photo. With the mouth closed, the nose of the fish must touch the bump plate on the left, and the lower fin of the tail is extended back to its maximum length to the right.
6. Both team participants must agree on the length of the fish to 1/4th inch accuracy. If the tail fin crosses a graduation on the ruler, the official length may be rounded up to the nearest one quarter (1/4) of an inch.
7. While the fish is being held on the ruler by team participant #1, team participant #2 takes a photo of the fish and the ruler – showing both the head and tail of the fish.
8. The length of the fish is recorded on the Official Tournament Scorecard by team participant #1 and they initial the entry. If an error is made, the line should be crossed out and the next open line should be used to record the fish’s length.
9. One additional photo is taken of the fish being held by either participant.
10. The fish is then immediately released by the participant holding the fish – AFTER the length of the fish has been recorded and the additional photo has been taken.
11. Team participant #2 validates the length on the Official Tournament Scorecard by recording the number of the photos corresponding to the fish and his initials.
12. In the instance when two or more fish are caught at the same time, the CRR process requires that one fish at a time must be measured, photographed, and released as quickly as possible. NO fish are to be placed in the live well. It is NOT permissible to hold fish in water using nets, lines, stringers, etc. Delays in releasing fish may be grounds for disqualification.
13. Two scorecards will be provided. If the first Scorecard should become damaged, it is permissible to transfer the data to the second Scorecard. BOTH Scorecards must be turned in at the check in boat. Loss of the Official Scorecard will result in disqualification.
14. Tournament standings, contingency awards and final winners shall be determined by the total converted weight of each team.
15. Any fish that appears to have been mangled, mashed, mauled or otherwise altered will be credited only at the discretion of tournament officials.
16. Any fish under 14” will be immediately disqualified.
17. Winners will be determined by total converted weight of up to seven (7) walleyes. In the case of a tie, position will be determined by the team with the one (1) single heaviest fish.
18. All fish must be caught on a hook and line in a conventional sporting manner. Anyone guilty of snatching or snagging fish (that is, not hooked in the head per state regulations) will be disqualified.
19. At the 3:00 p.m., check-in, teams will select seven (7) fish to be counted towards their total weight, and mark these fish on the Official Scorecard. The Official Scorecard, tournament SD memory card, and official ruler will be turned into the check-in boat Tournament Committee Officials. The length of each of the seven (7) designated fish will be converted to digital weights using a standardized formula by the Tournament Committee Officials. The photos of each fish will be used for confirmation of lengths and for display on the weigh-in monitors and the tournament website.
20. Both anglers on the team are required to sign the Official Scorecard to certify their catch.
21. The Awards Ceremony will be held at the Sawmill Inn located at 2301 South Pokegama Avenue, Grand Rapids, MN. The Awards Ceremony will begin with a social hour starting at 5:30 p.m.

RULES MEETING

1. A rules meeting will take place on Friday, June 18, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. at the Eagles Club located at 1776 South Pokegama Avenue in Grand Rapids, MN. Social hour will begin at 5:00 p.m. It is mandatory for both participants to attend the rules meeting.

PREFISHING

1. All prefishing must end and all boats must remain off the water after 12:00 (noon) on Friday, June 18, 2010.

COMPETITION

1. The Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce Walleye Classic tournament is restricted to Pokegama Lake, which does not include the river. The mouth of the river will be marked as to where the actual boundaries are.
2. Tentatively, boats 1-14 will be required to use Tioga Landing. Boats 15-23 will be required to use Mishawaka Landing. Boats 24-32 will be required to use LaPlant Landing. Boats 33-50 will be required to use Sherry’s Arm Landing. (Boat landing assignments may be reassigned at the rules meeting if necessary).
3. Boat numbers will be randomly drawn at the rules meeting. Each team will receive a “boat number board” which will remain with the boat for the duration of the event. This boat number board must be displayed at the take-off and check-in and upon the request of a tournament official. Participants must have their assigned boat number board with them at check-in on the day of the tournament to participate.
4. All boats must be checked in by a Tournament Committee Official before the start of the tournament. All live wells and storage compartments must be accessible to a tournament committee official. During inspection, each boat will receive two official scorecards, a formatted SD memory card for their digital camera and an official ruler.
5. There will be only one official point for take-off in the morning, which shall be designated at the Rules meeting. All boats will depart from the anchored start/finish boat at the designated start time (7:00 a.m.) in numerical order. Boats will trickle start one by one and will receive the “go ahead” from the start/finish boat. At the time of take-off, all competitors and their boats shall be in full conformity with all rules set forth by the tournament committee.
6. No marine radio, cell phones, or other electronic communication is allowed during tournament hours except for an emergency. Official Marine Channel is Channel #1.
7. No binoculars are permitted in boats during competition hours.
8. At no time during the tournament hours shall a contestant leave their boat unless granted permission from a Tournament Committee Official. Use safe judgment during inclement weather. If there is a need to clear the lake, the fishing tournament will resume when the Tournament Committee Officials deem the lake safe. Tournament Committee Officials have the right to delay, shorten or cancel the start of tournament due to dangerous weather conditions. Tournament boundaries may also be restricted at any time because of bad weather. The tournament may be cancelled (even after the tournament has started) because of bad weather or other factors that would endanger the safety of competitors.
9. When returning, each boat must pass in front of the start/finish boat and display their boat number board to the start/finish boat to signify you are in. CHECK IN IS MANDATORY, FISH OR NO FISH. Tournament SD memory cards, official scorecards and official rulers will be turned into the start/finish boat.
10. Teams not returning at the specified check-in time (3:00 p.m.), will be immediately disqualified.
11. A protest of any kind must be filed with the Tournament Committee Officials before the awards ceremony begins. A $300.00 fee is required: refunded if found to be valid. The protest committee will consist of two (2) tournament officials and three (3) randomly selected contestants. The committee findings are final. If the committee recommends a polygraph test, monies will be withheld until the results of the polygraph test are known. Participants taking a polygraph test may be responsible for any and all costs incurred.
12. Promoters, tournament committee officials, organizations and sponsors are not responsible for death, injury, damage, liability, theft, fire or loss of any kind to participants.

ANGLER CODE OF CONDUCT

1. No alcohol beverages may be consumed during tournament hours.
2. All contestants competing in this event are expected to act in a sportsman like manner at all times towards non-competitors and competitors alike. Violators of this rule will be disqualified.
3. The violation of any rule, as determined by the tournament committee officials, shall result in automatic disqualification from the tournament and ineligibility of prizes or awards. The Tournament Committee officials’ decision will be final and may not be challenged.
4. Safe boating must be observed at all times. Each contestant must wear a Coast Guard approved personal floatation device at all times when the combustion engine is operating above trolling speed. The floatation device must be fastened securely and the safety-stop switch attached.
5. All boats must meet Coast Guard and State requirements. Motors may not exceed BIA rating established by the manufacturer. Boats are limited to 1 auxiliary fuel tank (capacity not to exceed 7 gallons). Fuel tank must also meet Coast Guard standards and be securely fastened to the boat.
   

MECHANICAL BREAKDOWNS

1. In the event of a mechanical breakdown, the participants should attempt to make contact with a Tournament Committee Official.
2. In the event of a mechanical breakdown, it is permissible for the participants to transfer to another competitor’s boat for transportation to the check-in with their
3. SD memory card, Official Scorecard, and official ruler. Teams must still arrive at the check-in on time.
4. Any boat that comes to the aid of a competitor OR another boat may be exempted from late penalties at the discretion of the Tournament Committee Officials. The assisting team must note the time and GPS position where assistance was given.
5. Running out of gas is NOT considered a mechanical breakdown, and the boat will NOT be exempted from late penalties.
   
   AWARDS

1. Anglers are responsible for all applicable taxes on both cash and merchandise awards.
2. Participants who receive cash awards will be required to provide the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce with a W-9 prior to receiving their cash award when required.
3. Cash awards and prizes are based on a full field of participants. The Tournament Committee Officials reserve the right to adjust cash/prize payouts accordingly.
4. Payouts will be based on the following payout percentages.

Total Purse = .672307692% of paid registrations.

1st Place = .343249427% of total purse, or $4000; whichever is greater

2nd Place = .228832942% of total purse

3rd  Place = .114416475% of total purse

4th Place = .057208237% of total purse

5th  Place = .041189931% of total purse

6th  Place = .036613272% of total purse

7th  Place = .034324942% of total purse

8th Place = .032036613% of total purse

9th  Place = .029748283% of total purse

10th  Place = .027459954% of total purse

***Rules subject to change*** Most recent revision 3/19/2010