1st Annual California
Salute the Heroes
Fishing Tournament

Official Rules

Please read these rules and complete the form at the bottom of the page confirming you have read and understand the tournament rules.

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BOATS AND GUIDES

A. Only Guided boats are allowed to fish in the tournament. All 3-4 team members must be on and fish from the same boat.

B. Tournament-provided guides will be assigned by random drawing by the guide wrangler.

C. Guided boats are limited to the 3-4 anglers and their fishing guide, NO spectators & NO second guide are allowed on the boat. Guides are allowed to cast for a team member and net a fish reeled to boat by an angler.

 

GENERAL

A. A team consists of 3-4 anglers only. All anglers must have a driver’s license as ID and a current California fishing license in their possession during the tournament.

B. The fishing tournament will be held at Bass Lake- Wishon, CA. Fish must be caught in waters that are open to the public.

C. All Anglers will meet at Miller’s Landing Report at 5:30AM on Saturday, April 25th, for breakfast, coffee, and to meet their guide. The tournament shall commence with all teams/boats leaving from Miller’s Dock starting at 6:00 - 6:30AM.

D. Guides and their team members are responsible for always following all the California Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations and California boating laws.

E. ANGLERS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO FISH IN THE TOURNAMENT WITHOUT A SIGNED RELEASE & WAIVER OF LIABILITY TURNED IN.

F.  Live & artificial bait may be used.

G. All fish must be caught on rod and reel. Anglers may only fish with one rod and reel at a time.

H. The angler must hook, fight, and reel the fish, the Guide can help the angler cast and net their fish.

I. Pooling or transferring fish is strictly prohibited and will result in disqualification of team(s).

J.  Please exercise good stewardship of the environment and sportsmanship to fellow competitors.

K. Any obnoxious, rude, or disruptive behavior will be grounds for disqualification for the tournament and/ or dismissal from the Weigh-in Station at the discretion of the Tournament Directors or Weigh Master.

L.  TABC Guidelines do not allow open coolers or containers with alcohol from outside sources on Waterman’s property. Alcoholic beverages must be purchased through Waterman’s when on their property.

M.  Anglers & Guides are responsible for reading, knowing, understanding, and abiding by the tournament rules. In all tournament matters & disputes, the DECISION OF THE TOURNAMENT DIRECTORS IS FINAL.

N. Any angler, team or guide that violates ANY tournament rules, state, federal or local laws & regulations may be disqualified and forfeit all fees and awards.

WEIGH-IN

IMPORTANT - A fish may be entered in ONLY ONE category.

For example, if a fish is used in the Stringer Category it CAN NOT be in the Individual Redfish or Speckled Trout categories and vice versa. Teams must decide what fish to submit to Weigh Master for each category, he will NOT weigh all your fish and then let you choose.

A. All fish must be submitted for weigh-in from 12:00-1:00PM at Waterman’s Marina. ANGLERS MUST BE IN LINE WITH THEIR FISH IN HAND BY 1:00PM. Weigh Master will have the official time. If you are not in line by 1:00PM (13:00), you will be disqualified, and your fish will not be weighed. NO EXCEPTIONS. Please allow time for unexpected delays in getting back to weigh-in.

B. All fish weighed must be caught on the day of the tournament during official tournament hours.

C. All fish must be fresh and in edible condition. Fish that have been frozen, gutted, or mutilated will not be accepted and team will be disqualified.

D. The Weigh Master will have the ultimate ruling on all posted weights and determination if a fish is eligible to be included in the tournament. Catch does not need to be live, but the Weigh Master will have the authority to disqualify any catch that is determined to be landed prior to the tournament start time.

E. All fish entered are subject to inspection and seizure after dissection and/or Tory meter if the Weigh Master feels that the need is necessary.

F.  Any fish weighed in must be legal according to the regulations of TPWD.

G. A legal Redfish must be at least 20 inches and not greater than 28 inches. (SLOT REDS ONLY). Although it is legal to retain and tag a Redfish over 28 inches, for this tournament oversized or a tagged Redfish WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

H. A legal Speckled Trout must be at least 15 inches and not greater than 20 inches. For this tournament, only one Speckled Trout over 30 inches can be kept per angler, and only one oversized Speckled Trout can be weighed in per category, (includes the Stringer & the Largest Speckled Trout categories).

I. 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. Any anglers knowingly attempting to weigh an undersized or oversized fish will be disqualified, including all team members.

J.  When a tie exists, with respect to weight, then the first fish/stringer weighed in will be declared the winner. Official weigh-in times will be recorded by the Weigh Master.

K. All protests or disputes relating to any matter involving the rules and/or event must be registered in writing with the Tournament Director by 1:00PM and prior to delivery of any prizes or winnings. Protests made after the deadline will be disregarded and the participant may be subject to disqualification.

L.  ALL DECISIONS OF THE WEIGH MASTER ARE FINAL.

 

TEAM CATEGORIES & PRIZES:

Heaviest Stringer- A maximum team stringer consists of no more than FIVE eligible fish (Speckled Trout and Redfish)

Awards will be given to the TEAM for First, Second and Third place.

Only TWO eligible slot Redfish are allowed. (Slot Reds are 20 inches to 28 inches)

No tagged Redfish are allowed and Redfish over 28 inches will be disqualified.

The minimum length for Speckled Trout is 15 inches and the maximum is 20 inches.

Only one Speckled Trout over 30 inches is allowed per TEAM to be included in the Stringer.

All 5 fish will be weighed-in together.

The winner will be determined by the total weight of the combined 5 fish.

 

INDIVIDUAL CATEGORIES & PRIZES:

Largest Redfish Category:

Awards will be given to the INDIVIDUAL for First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth place.

The Largest Redfish caught will be determined by weight.

Although it is legal to retain and tag a Red Fish over 28 inches, for the purpose of this tournament oversized and/or tagged Red Fish WILL NOT be accepted. (Slot reds only 20 inches - 28 inches).

Largest Speckled Trout Category:

Awards will be given to the INDIVIDUAL for First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth place.

The Largest Speckled Trout caught will be determined by weight.

Speckled Trout must be at least 15 inches and not greater than 20 inches. Only one Speckled Trout over 30 inches can be weighed into the tournament per fisherman, whether it is for a team or for an individual category.

Heaviest Flounder:

The award will be given to the INDIVIDUAL for First place.

Redfish - Most Spots:

The award will be given to the INDIVIDUAL for First place.

The Redfish that has the most spots will determine the winner. Spots that overlap or are touching one another will be counted as one spot. The Weigh Master will determine what spots count, no exceptions.