Eligibility
If any team member has failed or denied a polygraph/ stress test or been banned from any tournament event for cheating with proof provided, said team member is not eligible for this event. Shining Hope Farms reserves the right to deny entry to any angler/ or team for any reason deemed fit by the tournament committee. NO EXCEPTIONS
Tournament OFF Limits
Lake will be off limits from midnight Sunday, November 30 until 5 AM Saturday the day of the event.
Teams may use alternate ramps to launch but check in at tournament trailer before blastoff. This means no fishing from bank, no fishing from pier, no fishing from boat, no crappie fishing, no striper fishing, no hybrid fishing, and no bream fishing. No kind of fishing on tournament waters.
Launch Order
To be determined by order of registration received online and at ramp (flights of 30). Flights will stagger every 15 minutes.
Weigh In
All teams must return to weigh-in site at the designated time and return card with boat number to check-in official. A late penalty of 1 lb per minute up to 5 minutes will be assessed after 5 minutes team’s weight will be disqualified.
Fish Limit
This is a 5-fish limit event: All fish 14 inches measured on Golden Rule – Mouth closed – No Short fish weighed. Teams or anglers must cull on 6th fish NO CULLING AT RAMP. ALL SIGHT FISH MUST BE HOOKED IN THE MOUTH. NO SNAGGING BEDDING FISH-AUTOMATIC DISQUALIFICATION.
Dead Fish Penalty
½ lb. per dead fish -Dead fish will not count for Big Fish Prize
Livewells
All boats must have working Livewells. Livewells must be checked at the launch site.
On Water Off-Limits
Skimmer wall at Hwy 150 bridge, Wall at the back of State Park, any buoys marked keep out, Any skimmer lines with buoys. Any water not navigable by boat
Exiting Boat
No angler is permitted to leave the boat for any reason other than an emergency. Medical or Call of Nature.
Cell Phones / 2-Way Radios
Shall not be used other than an emergency, medical assistance, family emergency, or to contact the director.
Hole Sitting
Any team or angler having another angler, family member, or any person not fishing the event sitting on a spot or an area for the purpose of keeping other competitors off the spot or the area will be disqualified.
Trolling/ Long Lining/ Live Bait
None of these are permitted during tournament hours. Only 1 rod per angler may be used and artificial bait only.
Life Vest / Kill Switch
Must be worn at blast off and anytime boat is on plane.
Assistance
A team or angler may only receive assistance from another competitor fishing the event. ONLY AFTER THE DIRECTOR HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. FAILURE TO NOTIFY THE DIRECTOR WILL RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION OF THE TEAMS CATCH. A team or angler may only be towed in by another competitor’s boat. A team or angler may transfer their catch to another competitor’s boat and be transported to the weigh site ONLY after the director has been notified. NO team or angler is allowed to trailer their catch to the weigh site.
Alcohol / Drugs
Any use of alcohol or drugs during tournament hours AUTOMATIC DISQUALIFICATION
Weather
Shining Hope Farms tournament committee has the right to postpone, cancel, or delay event for the safety of its anglers in the event of inclement weather.
Sportsmanship
All anglers and teams will conduct themselves with respect and dignity and in a sportsmanlike conduct.
Polygraph
All teams and anglers are subject to a polygraph/ stress test. Refusal of said test will result in disqualification NO REFUND
Protests
All protests should be made to the Tournament Director within 15 minutes of scales closing.
Waiver/ Release Of Liability
By signing the waiver you and your partner are releasing Shining Hope and all its associates from all liability or injury for you, your partner, and your belongings before, during, or after tournament hours.
Social Media
Shining Hope Farms will not tolerate any slandering of its event on any social media platform.