Mickelsen Open Rules
ELIGIBILITY: ANY CONTESTANT UNDER THE AGE OF EIGHTEEN MUST HAVE WRITTEN
PERMISSION FROM PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN TO FISH THE TOURNAMENT. THIS MUST BE
RECEIVED AT TIME OF REGISTRATION.
ENTRY FEE: The entry fee is $120.00.
EQUIPMENT AND FISHING METHODS: All state and local laws as well as all safe
boating rules must be observed at all times. U.S. Coast Guard approved life
vests as well as kill switches must be operative and attached any time the
outboard engine is running. Any person not observing these rules will be
disqualified. Only artificial lures are permitted, no live bait. Only one rod
may be in the water at any time, other rods may be rigged and ready.
FISHABLE WATERS/OFF LIMITS: Fishable waters include any water reachable by boat
which is open to ALL contestants and which is not otherwise restricted by local,
state or federal regulations. All fishing and landing of fish must be done from
the boat. No contestants are permitted to leave their boat in an effort to
propel or float their boat to fishing waters they could not otherwise reach.
There is no fishing inside the wake buoys of the host marina. Fishing within 50
yards of another contestant without permission is not permitted.
PENALTIES: Official tournament time will be announced prior to the take off.
Official time will be kept by a designated tournament official. For each minute
a contestant is late, a one pound penalty will be deducted from the team's total
weight. Any team more than 10 minutes late will lose all score for the day.
All contestants must pass a livewell inspection and safety check prior to take
off and be officially "checked in" at the designated place and time for score to
be counted. There is a one pound penalty for short fish (less than 12") and
loss of that fish’s weight. There is a .4 pound penalty for a dead fish, which
applies to big fish, if dead, and total weight.
SCORING: A 12" minimum length will be enforced, measured on a flat board. Any
fish that are determined to be less than the minimum length will cause a one
pound penalty and loss
of that fish’s weight.
Any team bringing in more than the legal limit will lose all score for the
tournament. In the event of a tie in total weight of two or more teams, the
largest bass from each team will determine the winner. All culling of fish must
be done immediately.
ELIGIBLE FISH/LIMIT: Largemouth and smallmouth bass are the only fish permitted
for weigh in. This tournament has a team limit of 5 fish per team.
PROTESTS: Protests regarding the violation of these rules must be made
immediately to the tournament director. All decisions concerning protests will
be the decision of the tournament director, and all decisions will be binding
and final.
FISHING LICENSE: It is the contestant's responsibility to have all state
required fishing licenses.
SPORTSMANSHIP: The laws of good judgment and sportsmanship as well as courtesy
toward others on and off the water will be adhered to at all times. The use of
obscene language or gestures is unacceptable at this tournament.
PRACTICE FISHING: The lake is off limits, closed, from midnight Sunday
prior to the tournament until the day of the tournament.
INSURANCE AND LIABILITY: It is mandatory that the boat owner carry proof of
$100,000 watercraft liability insurance covering himself and his passengers.
All contestants are required to sign a waiver absolving all tournament sponsors,
officials and co-sponsors from any responsibility for any damage or personal
injury sustained as a result of their participation in the tournament or related
activities.
BREAKDOWNS/EMERGENCIES: Contestants are not permitted to leave their boat or
touch another boat, with the exception of an emergency or major equipment
failure. In the case of a breakdown on the water, the fishing partners may
accept assistance in the form of a tow from or a return ride with another boat.
While in tow or riding, those contestants accepting assistance are not permitted
to continue fishing. However, other contestants rendering assistance, may
continue fishing. Should one of the contestants decide to stay with the
troubled craft, he may send his catch with the captain of the team to the
weigh-in. The fisherman choosing to remain behind may not continue to fish.
WINNINGS: There will be no substitutions for prizes awarded. All federal,
state and local taxes and licensing and registration fees are the winners' sole
responsibility.
OFFICIALS: All decisions of the tournament directors and officials shall be
binding and final.
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