ANGLERS QUEST-2009 TUESDAY LAKE HOUSTON SERIES RULES
1. RULES CHANGES: The following rules will remain unchanged throughout the event unless State or Local Laws are in conflict. Interpretation and enforcement of these rules shall be left exclusively to the Tournament Directors. In the event of a rule violation the Tournament Directors may impose such sanctions, as he/she deems appropriate including, without limitation disqualification, forfeiture of prizes, entry fee and prohibition from participation in subsequent events. The decision of the Tournament Directors will be final in all matters. It is at the Director's discretion to make a change where safety is a concern. All Federal, State and Local Laws must be obeyed. It is the contestant's responsibility to know these laws and to obey these laws.2. PARTICIPANTS, ELIGIBILITY: Participation in each event is open to all sex and races. A legal guardian must sign a waiver for any contestant under the age of 18. You must have a valid Texas fishing license to enter tournament.
3. ENTRY FEES: The entry fee for Anglers Quest Lake Houston Tuesday Series events will be $90.00 plus a one time yearly $20.00 per angler Championship fee paid by cash/check. Credit card entry will be $100.00. Entry may be made by mail at 18923 Keyturn Ln Humble, Tx 77346 or at the event. Phone 281-852-8842 for any information. No Refunds allowed after entry.
4. ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES & DRUGS: At no time during Tournament hours are any alcoholic beverages or drugs other than prescription allowed in boat.
5. SPORTSMANSHIP: All contestants are expected to follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy, safety and conservation. Any contestant who displays poor sportsmanship, violates any state or local laws or brings unfavorable publicity to the sport of bass fishing will be subject to disqualification.
6. BOATS & MOTORS: There is no horsepower limit, however, no engine may exceed the BIA horsepower rating for the boat on which it is used. All boats must meet U.S. Coast Guard and State regulations. All boats must have an operable emergency kill switch. All boats must have an aerated live well large enough to sustain one tournament limit in live releasable condition. Carrying extra gas tanks or containers of gasoline during event is prohibited.
7. SAFETY: Boating safety must be observed at all times during competition. A US Coast Guard approved chest type life preserver must be on and fastened any time the boat is on plane, and the kill switch must be attached to the driver. Both partners are responsible for this rule.
8. FISHING, TACKLE & EQUIPMENT: Fishing must be done with artificial lures only. Pork is permitted. Contestants may use only one rod and reel at a time. Each cast must be completely retrieved before using another rod and reel. No fishing is allowed within 25 yards of another contestants boat or 50 yards from anchored contestants boat with trolling motor out of water (permission to one is permission to all). No tube, bank or wade fishing is allowed. No trolling with the combustion engine is allowed. All fish must be caught in a legal and sporting manner during tournament hours from tournament waters. Waters fished must be accessible by boat without getting out of boat to gain access. A contestant may not leave boat to retrieve fish, line, or lure from any structure. Only contestants may be in boat during tournament hours. All fishing must be from a previously inspected boat. NO intentional snagging of bass. NO elevated platforms or ladders allowed in boat. Push poles are permitted. Hole sitting by or for entrants will be grounds for disqualification. No fishing inside any state, federal or lake buoys disallowing entrance to area. No communication pertaining to fishing is allowed via cell phone, VHF radio, pager or any electronic device during competition.
9. PROTESTS: Protests must be submitted in writing before scales are turned off. NO Verbal Protests.
10. POLYGRAPH: All contestants are subject to a polygraph test. Failure to submit to a polygraph test will result in disqualification. Any person who has failed a polygraph test in connection with any fishing tournament for cheating must have since that time retaken and passed the polygraph test with regards to the failure in question.
11. SCORING & PENALTIES: Will be determined by the total weight of not more than 5 bass per team. Ties for cash prizes will be settled (1st by number of fish) or, (2nd by combining two cash awards and splitting the total between tied teams). Largemouth Bass and Kentucky Bass will be counted. The minimum length limit will be 14". All fish will be measured on a "CHECK-IT STIK" with mouth closed & tail compressed. A dead fish penalty of .25 lbs. per fish will be deducted from total weight and Big Bass weight. Any team bringing in a short fish in their bag will lose their entire creels weight.
12. TOURNAMENT HOURS & WEIGH-IN: Hours of tournament will be 6 PM-9:15 PM. These events will not be trailering events. Any boat ramp may be used however; each team will be responsible for their own launch fee. All teams will leave in numbered orderly fashion from host tournament site. Weigh-In will cease at the end of line at 9:15pm. Weigh bags will be supplied by Anglers Quest at host tournament site. At time of take-off, all contestants & their boats must be in full compliance with all rules set forth by Anglers Quest and state and federal laws.
13. CULLING & RELEASING FISH: If more than 5 fish are in boat per team during inspection you will be disqualified. NO CULLING OF DEAD BASS. All bass must be released at host site.
14. BREAKDOWNS/EMERGENCIES: In an emergency or major equipment failure, you may hitch a tow from any boat on the water, but may not bring yours or partners fish in except in yours or another tournament contestants boat.
15. AWARDS CEREMONY ATTENDANCE: Those who cannot attend will forfeit any claim to trophies or merchandise earned in competition.
16. INSURANCE & LIABILITY: It is the sole responsibility of the boat owner to have adequate public liability insurance covering him/herself and passengers. All team contestants are required to sign release & waiver absolving sponsors, co-sponsors and their employees from any responsibility for any damage or personal injury obtained as a result of your participation in the tournament.
17. CHAMPIONSHIP & AOY QUALIFYING: Will be determined by accumulated yearly pound standings. Championship will have a $100.00 entry fee paid back at 97%. Each qualified team is required to donate $50.00 towards Big Bass Pot to be eligible for BB Pot. The Top-25 in points (including alternates) after the (23) events will be eligible for the Championship, provided your team enters a minimum of 10 events. Championship will include a Calcutta Auction. Each team must be sold in Calcutta Auction ($50 minimum) only Calcutta owners will be paid. Championship will be a 2-day event held on Lake Houston. Each team will receive 2 lbs. per entry, plus pounds weighed in during each event. "Anglers of the Year" will be determined by pounds gathered from all 23 events, and will be awarded Free Entries to Tuesday Team Series for 2010. Ties for any position will be broken by number of bass weighed in during season. In case of a 1st place tie there will be a specially designed fish-off immediately. Enter all 23 events on Tuesdays and automatically make the Wednesday Lake Conroe Championship.
18. TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS: Top 5 teams from each series and Championship winning teams will qualify for 2009 TOC.