Third Coast Kayak Fishing Series Official Rules

All Rule Changes are underlined and bold italic

Official Rules for 2009
1. PARTICIPATION AND ELIGIBILITY: Participation is open to anyone. Minors are eligible to participate with a parent or guardian signature on the release form. (Must meet all legal requirements.) Minors must also have the signature of his or her parent or legal guardian on the entry form as applicable to any state, commonwealth, county, or federal regulations or law; obligation to know these rules falls upon the parent and not upon Third Coast Kayak Fishing Series. A completed entry form and entry fee must be received no later than the published deadline.

2. REGISTRATION AND CAPTAINS’ MEETING: Early bird discount registration is $75 up to two weeks before the captains meeting, then $100 up to the day before the Captains Meeting. There are no additional fees for team entry. A free event T shirt will be given to everyone registered for the tournament. (We can not guarantee T-shirt sizes for later than the two week entries). It is MANDATORY that all contestants attend the Friday Night Captains’ meeting (see schedule at end of document). If a contestant is unable to attend the Captains’ Meeting he or she will forfeit their entry into the Tournament.

- Entry forms with insufficient fund checks will be returned and not allowed to participate with out cash or certified funds for entry. Each angler is responsible for her or his own entry individually. Third Coast Kayak Fishing Series is not responsible for mail delivery service. Third Coast Kayak Fishing Series will be taking credit card on line or via phone.

-Entry fees may be transferred to another participant or refunded provided notification is received by Third Coast Kayak Fishing Series up to five (5) days prior to the event. Entry fees will not be transferred or refunded for any reason four (4) days prior to the event or later, they may be pushed forward to a future Third Coast Kayak Fishing Series depending on circumstances.

3. SAFETY: safe boating will be observed at all times. DURING COMPETITION, EACH CONTESTANT IS REQUIRED TO FOLLOW U.S. COAST GUARD REGULATIONS INCLUDING POSSESSION OF COAST GUARD APPROVED TYPE III PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVISE (PFD), 360 DEGREE LIGHT, AND A WHISTLE.

4. STARTING TIME: Starting time means launch time. The exact starting time will be announced at the Captains Meeting with A Shotgun start 30 min. Pryor to safe light at the tournament location. You can start fishing at starting time.

5. COMMUNICATIONS: the use of mobile communication is allowed.

6. SPORTSMANSHIP: all contestants are required to follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy and conservation. Intoxication will be cause for immediate disqualification. No alcoholic beverages or the use of illegal drugs is allowed. This rule extends through the signing of the check-in form at tournament headquarters. The illegal use of drugs, participation in any criminal activities, or other conduct reflecting unfavorably upon efforts to promote safety, sportsmanship, fair competition and compliance with tournament rules and the law are grounds for disqualification and/or rejection of any application for participation and the return of any prizes awarded. Third Coast Kayak Fishing Series will seek legal remedy.

7. PERMITTED FISHING METHODS: Artificial lures only. No live or dead bait, no tipping with once living creatures such as fish or shrimp. 100% artificial baits such as Fish Bites, Exude, Berkeley Power & Gulp baits and other impregnated plastics will be allowed.

8. PROHIBITED: There is absolutely NO CHUMMING, NO NATURAL BAIT, NO TIPPING WITH BAIT and NO FERRYING (i.e. using another vehicle or boat, motorized or not to transport your kayak to a fishing location.)

9. PERMITTED FISHING LOCATIONS: Saltwater contestants may fish in water accessible by kayak via a launch point which is accessible at all times to the general public.
- During the hours of competition, contestants may not obtain or receive assistance, including but not limited to following: a non-competitor’s boat, the placing of markers by a non-competitor, being towed by or riding on motorized vessels, or receiving electronic, voice or data communication from a non competitor.
- All angling must be conducted from the Kayak or Canoe. No electric or combustion engines permitted on the Kayak or Canoe during the event. The Tournament committee at the Captains’ meeting must authorize kayaks or Canoes for use in events. Contestant may leave their kayak or Canoe to stand or to wade while fishing but must be in sight of their kayak/Canoe. Kayaks, Canoes, are the only mode of on the water transport allowed.

10. SCORING: Redfish & Spotted Sea Trout are the only two targeted species. In order to qualify for the Longest Stringer you must have a photograph of each species on the Official Ruler provided by Third Coast Kayak Fishing Series. There will be a 1 inch penalty if the trout's mouth is not fully closed. Because all this a catch, photo, release event, any fish caught regardless of size can be be entered

11. LATE PENALTY: Contestants who have not checked in by 4 pm are disqualified.

12. PROTEST: must be made in writing and delivered to the Head Judge of the Third Coast Kayak Fishing Series within 30 minutes of the official check-in time. All written protests must be accompanied by $100.00 cash. Moneys will be refunded if protest is up held. If Protest is denied moneys remain with-in tournament Series. Any participants involved in or accused of misconduct will be expected to make themselves available to rectify the alleged infractions; the Tournament Rules and Regulation Committee will review the protest, determine if further investigation is warranted then report back to the Head Judge of the Tournament with their findings.

13. RELEASE OF LIABILITY: A waiver and release of liability statement is part of the entry form. It is required of each contestant that they take responsibility for themselves while participating in Tournament activities.

14. RULE CHANGES: Rule interpretation will be presented to the Rules and Regulation Committee of Third Coast Kayak Fishing Series and the Head Judge of the tournament. Once a decision has been reached by Third Coast Kayak Fishing Series Rules and Regulation Committee They will be announced prior to the end of the Captains Meeting.

15. PRIZE STRUCTURE for 2009 Third Coast Kayak Fishing Series. Contestants are eligible for only one of the categorized prizes but remain eligible for all raffled prizes.
Grand Prize
Longest Redfish/Spotted Sea Trout $1000.00 cash
Second place
Longest Redfish/Spotted Sea Trout $500.00 cash
Third place
Longest Redfish/Spotted Sea Trout $250.00 cash

Longest Redfish – $250 2nd $150 – 3rd $75.00
Longest Trout – $250 2nd $150 – 3rd $75.00
Prizes will also be given by raffle; each contestant will receive 2 tickets at the Saturday return sign in. Additional tickets may be purchased proceeds to go to a named charity/non-profit.
16. POINTS STRUCTURE: There will be 5 tournaments. Each contestant paying to fish this event will automatically be awarded 5 points. With the following points awarded per division.
Longest Stringer 1st place 25 points
2nd place 20 points
3rd place 15 points
4th place 10 points
5th place 6 points
6th place 5 points
7th place 4 points
8th place 3 points
9th place 2 points
10th place 1 point

Longest Redfish Longest Trout
1st place 15 points 1st place 15 points
2nd place 10 points 2nd place 10 points
3rd place 5 points 3rd place 5 points
4th place 3 points 4th place 3 points
5th place 1 point 5th place 1 point

Angler’s Points will be accumulated from each of the 5 tournament. In order to qualify for Angler of the year you must have fished 4 of the 5 Tournaments. The Angler with the most points who has participated in at least 4 of the 5 tournaments will be named Third Coast Kayak Fishing Series Angler of the Year, He or She will receive a Plaque and $2000.00.
Teams: To qualify as a Team and accumulate points each Team will consist of four anglers; these four anglers must fish as a Team four out of five events in the series; In case of an emergency each Team can have one alternate. This alternate may also fish the series as an individual. Their points will not count towards the team except for the event they fish with the team.
At the end of the Series each angler per team will have their points combined. The Team with the most points will be named Third Coast Kayak Fishing Series Team of the Year and will receive a Team Plaque. a check for $3000.00 to be divided by the team along with a plaque for each individual team member.

Junior Angler Division
Third Coast Kayak Fishing Series

We will have a Junior Angler Division for those anglers 13 years of age and under.

Junior Angler entry fee will be $25 dollars with %100 pay out to the Junior Anglers in cash/prizes. Junior anglers must follow all tournament rules as stated above. Junior anglers must have parent or legal guardian present at the captains meeting. Junior Anglers must also fish with an adult who is a non participant in the Series. The Junior Angler must catch and land the fish.

Prize Structure for Junior Anglers: Junior Anglers are only eligible for one of the categorized prizes.

Grand Prize
Longest Redfish/spotted Sea Trout
25% of entry
2nd place 15% of entry
Longest Redfish
15% of entry
2nd place 10% of entry
Longest Sea Trout
15% of Entry
2nd place 10% of entry
10% from each event will go towards Junior Angler of the Year.
Point Structure for Junior Anger will match the point structure in the official rules.

Entry Forums and Release Waver for Participation in Third Coast Kayak Fishing Series (TCKFS) including Captains Meetings & Weigh-ins must be signed and returned prior to the Captains Meeting in order to participate. Entry Forums and Release wavers can be printed from out web site. All participate under the age of 18 must have Parent or Legal Guardians present at the Captains Meeting.
http://www.thirdcoastkayaksereis.com

Venues and Dates
Riveria
Riveria Volunteer Fire Department
February 28th 2009

Free Port
April 18th 2009

Port O’Connor
June 13St 2009

Port Isabel
South Padre Island
UTB/SMC (old Coast Guard Station)
September 12th 2009

Port Aransas
NewPort Dunes Golf Club
October 17th 2009

Adverse weather may cause dates to be changed.
Any changes will be posted on the web site
If inclement weather approaches’, emails will be sent to all registered participants’ concerning alternative dates.

All Participants entered in the Kayak Third Coast Kayak Fishing Series must provide their own Digital Camera with removable card and or the USB Cable to their respective cameras. Third Coast Kayak Fishing Series has a universal card reader, yet some Camera manufactures have a proprietor chip in their cameras, with those we can only down load the pictures with the USB cable that came with their cameras. Please make sure your card on your camera is empty prior to the start of the Tournament to speed up the downloading process by the Judges. If you are unsure about your card we can check It Friday night it before the Captains Meeting. Third Coast Kayak Fishing Series, its judges nor any of their sponsors will be held liable for cards which can not be read.