Bayou Kayak Classic Tournament Rules

Kayak Classic Tournament Rules

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TOURNAMENT FORMAT – This year’s Kayak Classic will be a Catch-Photo virtual format tournament. The tournament will be facilitated through the Fishing Chaos app.  

COMPETITOR MUST HAVE THEIR OWN UNIQUE FISHING CHAOS LOG IN.

TOURNAMENT REGISTRATION – Tournament registration must be completed through the Fishing Chaos App no later than 11:59 PM on 8/5/2022. For app downloads, visit https://fishingchaos.com/. If you have Fishing Chaos loaded from prior tournaments, be sure to have the latest version of the app. 

ENTRY FEES – Kayak Fishing Classic - $35.00
Clean Waters Contest - $10.00 (benefiting AL Coastal Foundation)

COMPETITOR ELIGIBILITY- PARTICIPATION AND ELIGIBILITY. Anglers must be 15 years old or older to compete with authorization from a parent or legal guardian. 

WAIVER AND RELEASE – Angler agrees to the tournament rules, wavier and release of liability during registration of this event. Waiver and Release of liability is below.   

FISHING LICENSE - You must have a valid/current Alabama fishing license.  

ELIGIBLE WATERCRAFT - ANGLERS MAY FISH FROM A KAYAK OR CANOE ONLY. No motorized vessels allowed. No trolling motors allowed. The use of a boat or motorized water vehicle to transport your boat on the water is prohibited. All craft must be self-propelled; no motors of any power are allowed (electric or combustion).

TANDEM - Two contestants are allowed to compete in the same boat. The boat must be the type of boat that is generally recognized as a canoe or kayak and be intended for use by two individuals, with final discretion left solely to the Organizer. In this situation, both people in said boat must be registered competitors (no non-competitors are allowed in the boat). Competitors competing in tandem must score their fish individually. If any competitors competing in tandem are found to be violating these rules, they will all be immediately disqualified and banned from future events.

CHECK-IN/AWARDS CEREMONY – There will be no in person Check-In or awards. 

SAFETY - Safe boating must be observed at all times. During competition each contestant is required to comply with US Coast Guard and Alabama State Regulations including the possession of a PFD and sounding device. If you find yourself in an emergency situation, please call 911 or channel 16 on a VHF radio. If you plan to launch your vessel before sunrise or low visibility situations, you will be required to have a white light producing device capable of producing a visual signal to avoid collision with other vessels as defined by USCG regulations, however no line shall be in the water until 5:00 AM.

ALCOHOL AND DRUGS - The consuming or transporting of any alcoholic beverages or drugs (other than prescription or over the counter drugs) during official fishing hours on any tournament angler’s boat is prohibited, and angler or anglers will be disqualified from the tournament and possibly face future bans from competition as determined by the Organizer.

WEATHER - The SSMKC can be cancelled or re-scheduled due to inclement weather. The decision to cancel or re-schedule will be made no later than 2:00 PM on August 5, 2022. Notification will be posted on the SSMKC website, Facebook page, and to the email address provided to us upon registration if the decision is made to cancel or re-schedule. Four (4) consecutive hours of fishing constitutes a tournament and the SSMKC Tournament Committee reserves the right to call the tournament at any point for inclement weather or safety reasons.  

TIME – Fishing will begin on August 6th at 5:00 AM CDT and end on August 7th at 4:00 PM CDT. All photo/fish submissions must be completed and entered into the Fishing Chaos app by 4:00 PM on August 7th. (No exceptions)  

MASTER ANGLER AWARD - Points towards the Master Angler award will be given as follows: 1st Place: 3 points, 2nd Place: 2 points, 3rd Place 1 point. 

TRIPLE THREAT - Triple threat will be calculated by the aggregate length of one speckled trout, one flounder, and one slot red. In the event no triple threat is entered, there will be no triple threat winner.

AWARDS - 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes will be awarded for each category. Master Angler awards will be determined based on the accumulated points listed in the above section. In the event of a tie for Master Angler the angler with the biggest fish submitted first shall win the tie.  

RANDOM DRAWINGS - Every angler weighing in a legal fish shall be entered into a drawing for prizes to be awarded.

IDENTIFIER – All tournament photo submissions must include the tournament identifier code in the photograph. The identifier code will be released on the event page at 7:00 PM CDT on 8/5/22 for day 1 and again at 7:00 PM CDT on 8/6/22 for day 2. You may write the code on a piece of paper, your hand or use the identifier card found on the event page. The photo submission must include the identifier code in the photograph. NO EXCEPTIONS.  

CATCH ENTRY – Your catch must be submitted into the Fishing Chaos app. Your phone must have location services turned on for the Fishing Chaos and Camera apps. If you are in an area that has no cell signal to make your submission, once you reach an area with signal, upload your photographs to the Fishing Chaos app.   

CATCH ENTRY REVIEW – All catch entries will be reviewed and approved by a third-party tournament management company, including protests. For tournament questions email [email protected]   

MEASURING BOARD – The measuring board must be a hard flat surface with ¼” increments with a left fence, not homemade or a paper ruler. The board must be in good shape and all measurement increments clear. NO EXCEPTIONS.  

FISH CATEGORIES AND JUDGING CRITERIA
REDFISH – 3 Redfish, 2 within the slot of 16" and 26" in length and 1 over the slot length of 26”.
SPECKLED TROUT – 3 Speckled Trout, 2 within the slot of 15" and 22" in length and 1 over the slot length of 22”.
FLOUNDER – The longest Flounder, minimum length is 14”.  
BASS – 5 longest Bass, no minimum length.   
TRIPLE THREAT - Largest Redfish, Speckled Trout and Flounder.

MEASUREMENT – All measurements must be taken as follows:  
“Zero end” of the board to the left of the individual measuring the fish.  
Belly of the fish down towards the individual measuring the fish.   
The nose of the fish must be butted to the end stop of the board.  
Tail of the fish must sit within the side edges of the board. You may squeeze the tail as necessary to keep the tail on the board. Judges will judge based on where the tail touches or crosses the ¼” increment measurement on the board.  
Measurement increments must be visible on the board past the tail to determine an accurate length.  
You may not cover the eye or mouth of the fish.   
You may not cover the tail spot on redfish.   
Closed mouths are preferred.    
Judges may deduct up to 1” for open mouth if the mouth being open would result in increased length.   
Do not lay the identifier on top of the fish.  
Fish may only be entered once. Each fish submitted must be a different fish.  

ENTRIES - You may submit as many fish as you wish, the Fishing Chaos app will “cull” your smallest entries as fish are entered. 

PERMITTED FISHING METHODS - All fish must be caught by the participant entering the fish, on rod and reel with artificial lures, live bait or dead bait from a kayak/canoe. Flounder may NOT be gigged. NO bow fishing, wade fishing, trot lining, jug lining, or spear fishing will be permitted. All entrants and competitors agree to abide by all Federal, state, and local boating, recreational, and game laws.   

ONE POLE PER ANGLER - You can have more than one rod per angler on the vessel or on your person, but you cannot fish with more than one at a time.  

ASSISTANCE - Someone may assist you in baiting your hook and measuring the fish. It is your job to cast, hook, and land the fish.   

FISHING BOUNDARIES – All fishing locations must be in waters accessible to the public at all times according to state and federal regulations. Fishing or attempting to fish on any other waters will result in immediate disqualification and a ban from all future tournaments without exception. The Boundaries for the Bayou La Batre Kayak Classic include all Alabama waters. 
North: Alabama/Tennessee State Line 
South: As far south as the angler is safely able to venture 
East: Alabama/Florida & Alabama/Georgia State Lines 
West: Alabama/Mississippi State Line 


ALTERING FISH - The fish submitted cannot be altered in any way. All fish must be alive and photographed immediately after it has been caught.    

TIES – All ties will be broken by the biggest fish submitted. Example: If two anglers are tied with 100”, the angler with the largest/lunker fish, submitted first (based on submission time) will be declared the winner of the tiebreaker).   

CLEAN WATERS CONTEST - Benefiting AL Coastal Foundation. While fishing in the SSMKC, pick up any trash you find on the waterways. Take a photo of your trash bag, or larger items that won’t fit in a bag, upload the photo and enter the estimated number of pieces in your bag. The more bags you enter the greater your chance at winning the Clean Waters Contest benefiting AL Coastal Foundation. * To qualify, trash must be collected on waterways.

1 BAG/LARGE ITEM SUBMITTED = 1 ENTRY

POLYGRAPH - All contestants agree to take a polygraph test if requested by SSMKC or Reel Tournament Management. The test will be taken at a time and place chosen by the requesting party. Refusal to take the test or failing the test will result in disqualification of the angler from the event. The individual taking the test will be determined by the tournament director.   

PENALTIES – Any angler found to have intentionally cheated in an attempt to defraud the tournament may be subject to criminal prosecution by the State they caught the fish in. Any angler found to have intentionally cheated in an attempt to defraud the tournament will also forfeit any awards they may have won and be banned from any future SSMKC Tournaments.  
PROTEST – All tournament participants have the right to protest the results or actions of any angler. To protest, you must present your written complaint to the Tournament Director no later than 30 minutes after the official close of the tournament fishing hours. Any photographic evidence to support your protest must be submitted to [email protected] no later than 30 minutes after the official close of the tournament. The protest will be reviewed by no less than the Tournament Director and two other tournament officials.   

SPORTSMANSHIP – Any angler, who displays poor sportsmanship, violates any Tournament Rule (s), or any state or local game laws may be disqualified. In addition, any act of an angler, verbal or physical, that reflects unfavorably upon SSMKC’s effort to promote conservation, fishing, clean waters, courtesy, and safety may be reason for disqualification from this and all future SSMKC tournaments. SSMKC and Reel Tournament Management also reserve the right to refuse application of entry, with or without cause, at their sole discretion.   


SUGGESTED PRACTICES

Please handle all fish with respect and care and use a Boga or fish gripping type device to help handle your fish.  
If you are having trouble measuring a fish, put it in a net or on fish grips and let it relax in the water for a minute.  
Wet your hands before handling your fish.  
We encourage bait fishermen to use circle hooks. This will allow for fewer deep hook ups and easier fish releases.  
Deep hooked fish – if you have a deeply hooked fish, we encourage you to simply cut your line, take your measurement, photograph, and release the fish.  
Videos will be posted showing proper measuring techniques along with do’s and don’ts.  
We encourage you to watch these.  
Videos will be posted on how to use the Fishing Chaos app  
We encourage you to visit ReleaSense.org for more information about handling and releasing fish. 

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You will be asked to agree to the following waiver when you register on the Fishing Chaos website.  
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Attachment A - Adult Registrants 18 & Up
WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY AGREEMENT
READ BEFORE REGISTERING FOR COMPETITIVE EVENT
(If Participant is under 18 years of age, do not use this form. Registrant and Adult Supervisor must use Attachment B - Youth Registrants)  
  
In consideration of being allowed to participate in any way in the SSMKC National Fishing Event and its related competition and activities, I, the undersigned (or registrant), being at least 18 years of age, acknowledge, appreciate, and agree that:  
I affirm that my participation in the SSMKC National Fishing Event is voluntary and declare that I am physically fit and capable to participate in such; and  
I acknowledge that fishing participation and competition involves certain inherent dangers, and hazards; that the risk of injury from the activities involved in this event is significant, including the potential for permanent paralysis and death, and while particular skills, physical fitness, equipment, and personal discipline may reduce this risk, the risk of serious injury does exist; and,  
I KNOWINGLY AND FREELY ASSUME ALL SUCH RISKS, both known and unknown, EVEN IF ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASEES or others, and assume full responsibility for my participation; and,  
I willingly agree to comply with the stated and customary Terms and Conditions for Participation. If, however, I observe any unusual significant hazard during my presence or participation, I will remove myself from participation and immediately bring such to the attention of SSMKC's Staff, Officers, Tournament Directors or contracted tournament management services.  
In full recognition and appreciation of the dangers and risks inherent in such activities, I, for myself and on behalf of my heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, personal representatives and next of kin, HEREBY RELEASE, INDEMNIFY, AND HOLD HARMLESS SSMKC National Fishing Event  
and its owners, officers, managers, officials, volunteer event staff, agents and/or employees, other 
participants, sponsoring agencies, sponsors, advertisers, event service/management and technology providers, and, if applicable, owners and lessors of premises used for the activity ("Releasees"), with respect to any and all injury, disability, death, or loss or damage to person or property, whether arising from the negligence of the releasees or otherwise, to the fullest extent permitted by law, and I hereby waive, release, and forever discharge Releases from and against any and all claims, demands, actions, or causes of action, for costs, loss, expenses, or damages to personal property, or personal injury, or death, which may result from my participation in the SSMKC National Fishing Event .  
I give SSMKC National Fishing Event and parties designated by SSMKC National Fishing Event, including clients, licensees and purchasers, the right to use my name and any photograph and video of me for sale to any medium for purposes of advertising, trade, display, exhibition, social media, television, or editorial use. This release is granted without expectation for additional compensation upon submission of Event Registration.  
  
I have read this release of liability and assumption of risk agreement, fully understand its terms, understand that I have given up substantial rights by acknowledging the waiver and release when registering for the event in Fishing Chaos, and acknowledge freely and voluntarily without any inducement. 



Attachment B - Youth (15 to under 17)
WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY AGREEMENT
READ BEFORE REGISTERING FOR COMPETITIVE EVENT
In consideration of being allowed to participate in any way in the SSMKC National Fishing Event and its related competition and activities, I, the undersigned (or Registrant), being under the age of 18 BUT NO YOUNGER THAN 13, acknowledge, appreciate, and agree that:  
I affirm that Registrant's participation in the SSMKC National Fishing Event is voluntary and declare that Registrant is physically fit and capable to participate in such; and  
I acknowledge that fishing participation and competition involves certain inherent dangers, and hazards; that the risk of injury from the activities involved in this event is significant, including the potential for permanent paralysis and death, and while particular skills, physical fitness, equipment, and personal discipline may reduce this risk, the risk of serious injury does exist; and,  
Registrant (and Adult Parent, Guardian, or Designated Adult Supervisor) KNOWINGLY AND FREELY 
ASSUME ALL SUCH RISKS, both known and unknown, EVEN IF ARISING FROM THE 
NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASEES or others, and assume full responsibility for Registrant's participation; and,  
Registrant willingly agrees to comply with the stated and customary Terms and Conditions for Participation. If, however, the Registrant or Adult Supervisor observes any unusual significant hazard during my presence or participation, I will remove myself from participation and immediately bring such to the attention of SSMKC's Staff, Officers, Tournament Directors or contracted tournament management services.  
In full recognition and appreciation of the dangers and risks inherent in such activities, I, for myself and on behalf of my heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, personal representatives and next of kin, HEREBY RELEASE, INDEMNIFY, AND HOLD HARMLESS SSMKC National Fishing Event  
and its owners, officers, managers, officials, volunteer event staff, agents and/or employees, other 
participants, sponsoring agencies, sponsors, advertisers, event service/management and technology providers and, if applicable, owners and lessors of premises used for the activity ("Releasees"), with respect to any and all injury, disability, death, or loss or damage to person or property, whether arising from the negligence of the releasees or otherwise, to the fullest extent permitted by law, and I hereby waive, release, and forever discharge Releasees from and against any and all claims, demands, actions, or causes of action, for costs, loss, expenses, or damages to personal property, or personal injury, or death, which may result from Registrant's participation in the SSMKC National Fishing Event.  
I give SSMKC National Fishing Event and parties designated by SSMKC National Fishing Event, including clients, licensees and purchasers, the right to use my name and any photograph and video of me for sale to any medium for purposes of advertising, trade, display, exhibition, social media, television or editorial use. This release is granted without expectation for additional compensation upon submission of Event Registration.  
  
I have read this release of liability and assumption of risk agreement, fully understand its terms, understand that I have given up substantial rights by acknowledging the waiver and release when registering for the event in Fishing Chaos, and acknowledge freely and voluntarily without any inducement.