Rules & Regulations

2008 Rules & Regulations 

1. Membership-  Required to fish any of our events. Once a member pays 25.00 this allows them to fish any team trail event(includes reg. teams,super teams & couples).
2. Alcohol-No alcoholic beverages may be consumed during regular tournament hours.
3. Boats- must meet Coast Guard specifications.Must have a kill switch,factory installed console & any aerated live well suitable to sustain a tournament catch. No ladder, platforms or coolers may be used to catch bedding fish, only standard equipment may be used to stand on. Life jackets (Coast Guard Approved) must be worn when the boat is on plane. You can not leave the boat for any reason unless for emergencies. Boats must be at least 16ft in length for all divisional & championship tournaments. 
4. Protests- must be submitted in writing within 15 minutes from close of scales. All state & local laws must be abided by. At anytime you are found in violation of any rule or breaking the law you will be disqualified from the current event involved. If it is found that the degree of the violation needs further judgment you may be disqualified either for the entire year or indefinitely.
5. Polygraph- All contestants are subject to a polygraph test at anytime. You can not fish any Team Trail event if you have ever failed a polygraph test.
6. Teams- May weigh 5 fish 12 inches in length unless state or local lakes are greater. Measuring will be on a flat board with mouth closed (will fan or pinch  tail). Teams weighing in a short fish will be accessed a (1)lb penalty. Teams bringing more than 5 fish to the scales will be disqualified. A penalty of .50 lbs per dead fish will be deducted from total weight. Only largemouth, smallmouth & spotted bass will be scored. You must cull your fish after you catch the 6th fish (no culling at the ramp). Teams returning to the checkpoint late will loose (1) lb per min. up to 15 min. after that you will be disqualified. No fishing allowed within 25 yards of an anchored boat with trolling motor out of water without permission from the other boat. There will be no trolling. Only one rod used at any time. All fish weighed in become the property of Team Trails. Only officially marked weighin bags will be used at each event unless specified by the director.
7. Scoring- 1st place will get 100 points & descend down 1 point per place. Anyone scratching will be awarded next to last place points. If you pay for the tournament & do not show up you will still get credit for the tournament & next to last place points. If there is a tie both teams will receive same place points with the next team receiving next place points. All money will be divided between the 2 teams (example 1st & 2nd place money will be added together & divided).
8.  Qualification- (Divisional) Fish any 7 events (any division) or fish 5 events & be in(top 50%) any single trail to qualify for either or both divisionals. (Championship) be the Angler of the Year,fish both divisionals or finish in the top 75 at either divisional to advance to the overall championship. As teams drop out we will move the next team up to fill the field for Championship & divisional.
9. Substitution- You may substitute partners as needed. You may also fish by yourself. There will be no new members substituting in any divisional or championship. Any substituting during any championship or divisional must be approved.
10. Entry form-Both team members must  fill out completely & sign their entry form (mandatory) no exceptions at each tournament (must be able to read).
11. Entry fee-There will be no entry fee to fish the championship or divisional for qualified teams. There will be an optional sidepot & bigbass at all championships & divisionals(100% payout).You will be able to pay the morning of each event (10.00 late fee reg. teams)(20.00 late fee super teams). Teams paying late will not get to draw for blastoff numbers. Entry fees must be postmarked by Tue. the week of the event.
12. Angler of the year- will win a certificate toward their entries for $700.00 for the next year along with a prize making their total winnings worth $1,000.00(approx). It will only cost the (AOY) $50.00 per tournament. If there is a tie on the last event the team with the most weight will be the tiebreaker. To be AOY will consist of points accumulated only in one single trail. Only trails with 10 boats are more will qualify to have a angler of the year.
13. Insurance-I understand and acknowledge that boating and fishing is a dangerous sport. I have sufficient health, accident and liability insurance to cover any bodily or property injury claim arising from my participation in this event. (Must show proof of insurance)
14. Liability-I hereby release, discharge, and agree to hold harmless Team Trails, it's officers, directors, sponsors or hosts of any and all liability, claims, demands, actions or rights of action which are related to or any way connected to my participation in this event.
15. Cell phones-may be used only for emergencies or with lock masters. You are not to be talking with anyone else this includes (friends & family) strongly enforced.
16. Couples- there will be no tournament that will allow 2 males in the same boat. All contestants must either have a male fishing by himself or have a female as his partner. Each team will be allowed to fish only 3 events without a female in the boat.
17. Championship- There are 3  ways to qualify for championship 1- Be the angler of the year 2- Finish in the top 75 in either divisional,3- fish both divisionals. There will be 150 boats advance to the championship along with the teams that fish both divisionals.
18. Super teams- There will no substitutions. You may fish all events with only one person in the boat.You must fish at least 3 regular season events to be eligible to fish the championship.
19. Red fish rules- You may weigh redfish/red drum & the limit will be 2 fish per day per team. Length limit 18 to 27 inches. Must fish 4 out of the 5 events to qualify for a free entry to the championship. Any fish over or under the size limit will accessed a 1lb penalty. All other team trail rules apply.