TKAA 2024 - FISHING TOURNAMENT GENERAL RULES
1. PARTICIPATION AND ELIGIBILITY:

A.  Participation is open to anyone 18 Years of age or older. Minors are eligible to register and participate with a parent or guardian who also participates in the event or signs permission. Minors must 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. The obligation to know these rules falls upon the parent.

B.  A completed online entry and $85 entry fee ($40 for youth 16 and younger)

C.  Watercraft defined by the manufacturer as a kayak and sold as a kayak, SUP, or canoe.

D.  Each competitor must have an approved measuring device (See 8.B for additional guidance)

E.  Phone for or digital camera for recording scoring fish (See section 12 for requirements)

F.  A valid Fishing License

G.  All pictures must be submitted by 4pm.

H.  Anglers must arrive in person and check in by 5pm on day of tournament for entries to be counted, failure to do so and all entered pictures will be disqualified. NO EXCEPTIONS

I.  No refunds.
2.PRIZES: 

Trophies will be awarded for the largest fish in each division.  See section 11 for scoring criteria.

A.  Trophies will be awarded subjective to participation.

B. Winners will be based on the combined scores for the total scores for the longest fish entered on IAngler Tournament App.

C.  Trophies will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.

D.  Divisions are as follows:

Freshwater Division- Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Chain Pickerel

Freshwater Slam- Top fish in each category Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Chain Pickerel

Master SLAM:  Redfish, Trout, Flounder, Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Pickerel (competes with all other categories such as Saltwater, Youth, etc)
E.  Division winners will not be able to double dip (cannot win more than one Division).  Tournament judges will make final determination as to division won.

F.  Other divisions and/or prizes are subject to change and may be announced via TKAA Facebook page.

G.  Cannot enter more than one Division (Freshwater, Saltwater, or Fly).

H.  If going for Master SLAM, any species caught outside the designated group you are signed up for (Salt or Freshwater) will not count towards anything other than the Master SLAM.  For example, you are in Saltwater and catch the largest LMB, it will not compete against any other LMB from anglers enrolled in the Freshwater Tournament. 
3. SAFETY:

Safe boating will be observed at all times. DURING COMPETITION, EACH CONTESTANT IS REQUIRED TO FOLLOW U.S. COAST GUARD AND VIRGINIA REGULATIONS INCLUDING POSSESSION OF COAST GUARD APPROVED PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE (PFD).  PFD MUST BE WORN WHILE ABOARD YOUR KAYAK. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL RESULT IN A DQ.  A VISUAL SIGNALING DEVICE AND A WHISTLE ARE MANDATORY AND MUST BE ON BOARD.
4. STARTING TIME:

Launching can begin at safe light (designated time and Identifier will be announced at Captains meeting).   All entrants wishing to enter fish must submit their pictures to tournament by 4:00 PM on end date.
5. LATE REGISTRATION:

No late registration on day of event.  
6. COMMUNICATIONS:

The use of mobile communication is allowed. 
7. SPORTSMANSHIP: 

All contestants are required to follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy and conservation. Intoxication will be cause for immediate disqualification.  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 applicant from participation. This will also entail the return of any prizes awarded. The TKAA Tournament Committee will seek legal remedy if necessary.
8. PERMITTED FISHING METHODS: 

A. All fish must be caught on rod, reel, line and hook. No traps, snares, set lines or other methods of fishing other than rod, reel and line are permissible, even if allowed under state game laws.

B. Acceptable measuring boards include the “Hawg Trough” manufactured by Hagen’s, a FishStik Version 2 (with Bump Board Arrows and Lock Slide), Muskie Bumper, Yak Attack, and the Ketch Co Measuring Board.  Measuring boards may be shortened removing inches from the upper end (opposite the fence) For example; one may cut a measuring board off at the 26 inch mark in order to fit crossways between a watercraft’s gunwales. However, it may not be broken, snapped, or cut apart and then reassembled at any point between the two ends. A crack that does not separate the measuring board into pieces and does not affect the measuring board’s accuracy may be repaired and reinforced for use. Measuring device’s markings must be clear and visible (darken in lines if necessary).  In the event the fish extends beyond the measuring board, a metal tape measure (similar to a retractable tape measure used in construction) can be used with the measuring board.  Failure to follow these rules could result in denial of photo.  Do the best you can to get a side profile.  Discretion is the judge’s option.

C. Each competitor must have a mobile phone with camera (or digital camera) able to submit digital photographs (minors may use the guardians phone but must have own account).

D. Nets and grippers (e.g., Fish Grip, Boga-Grip) may be used for landing fish during tournament competition, but grippers must not remain attached to the fish in photos.

E. Live and artificial baits allowed (must use circle hooks with live or chunk bait).

f. Competitors are allowed to share baits and tackle.

g.  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 any non-competitor, towed by or riding on motorized vessels or electronic, voice or data communication from a non-competitor.

 h.  Contestants may not leave the boat to stand, wade, or land catch while fishing.
9. Watercraft & Propulsion

A. Only fish caught (and landed) from kayaks, canoes, paddleboards or other acceptable watercraft are eligible for scoring. Acceptable watercraft is defined as any watercraft defined by the manufacturer as a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard and sold as such. Watercraft specifically approved as exceptions in advance and for this event are:

Blue Sky Boatworks 360 Angler

Biyak

Bote Aero/Classic/Verg/Rover

Greentop Enterprise Creek Boats

Solo Skiff

Hero 130 (and equivalent copies of same molding)

Beavertail Stealth

B. TKAA Tournament Committee must approve in advance any other craft, paddled or otherwise propelled.  For questionable craft that may not qualify, contact TKAA Tournament Committee in advance for eligibility determination.

C. Trolling is permitted.

D. The use of motherships (i.e., transport or assistance from a powerboat in moving locations) is NOT permitted. Assistance from powerboats is permitted only in emergencies, as when pulling a kayak from a danger zone or restricted area. Fishing may resume following emergency assistance only if no appreciable relocation occurred.

E. Competitors are allowed to fish from watercraft operating with electric propulsion (no gas or other fuel sources permitted).  Waivers for those with disabilities that would prevent them from participation without the use of alternate propulsion must be submitted in advance and approval determined by TKAA Tournament staff.

F.  TANDEMS/SHARING. It is permissible for more than 1 entrant to share the same watercraft. However each paddler must pay and compete as a single angler. They must also have their own phone and the fish are scored separately. Fish may NEVER be shared among entrants.
10. PROHIBITED: 

There is absolutely NO FERRYING (i.e. using another vehicle or boat, motorized or not to transport your kayak to a fishing location while on the water.)
11. PERMITTED FISHING LOCATIONS:

Fishing is permitted anywhere in Virginia.  All participants must use “public accessible launch areas.  Military bases or lakes requiring any special permits are off limits.  You can fish anywhere you want, but photos must be uploaded before end of tournament.   Using or launching from private property or water not open to the general public will result in disqualification.
12. DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY: 

Participants must use their own Smart Phone for recording scoring fish.

A.  Participants must use their own Smart Phone or digital camera for recording scoring fish.

B.  All photos shall be uploaded into the Iangler Tournament program or application on the same day they are caught and no later than 6 hours from time of capture.

C.  No photos accepted after the end of the tournament.

D.  No other means of entering photos accepted.  
13. PHOTO STANDARDS: 

Digital photographs of fish submitted to judges for scoring must meet these criteria:

A. Legible. Photo must be clear enough to read identifier, including required ID codes and marks, and judge the length accurately.  After carefully examining photo details and cross-referencing other photos submitted for scoring by the same angler in the same event, if the event judge is NOT able to verify with 100% confidence that the Identifier Form and ID Codes or Marks in the photo are valid for both the competitive event and the competitor, then the photo will be denied.
B. Official TKAA Tournament Committee Identifier placed where it does not cover the fish eye or prevent measurement verification. An image of the unique identifier on a smart phone is not acceptable.

C. Competitor’s kayak clearly visible

E. Fish, as depicted below: 


i. Facing left on a measuring device, left side of the fish visible, dorsal fin toward the top of the photo

ii. Mouth completely closed with jaw and/or lips touching the “fence.” Position camera lens directly over the center of the fish’s body to aid judges in determining that fish’ mouth is closed and in contact with the fence.   Photos judged to have been taken deliberately at an angle in order to make the fish appear longer may be disqualified at the Tournament Director’s discretion.

iii. Tail centered and its tip in contact with the measuring device.

iv. To confirm that the fish is alive, the fish’s eye must be uncovered in the photo. Photos of fish that appear to be dead, mutilated, frozen or similarly damaged will be disqualified without scoring. Photos of fish that appear to have been mangled, mashed, mauled or otherwise altered in ways that increase their length will be disqualified or approved for scoring at the discretion of the Tournament Director.

v. No restraining device, clip, or band may be used to secure the fish being photographed. Securing the fish with any portion of a hand under the fish’s gill flap is prohibited.

vi. All photos scored or taken at the event become property of the TKAA and can be used as TKAA decides appropriate.
14. SCORING: 

A.  The tournament is a catch, photo, and release format. Species division winners will be determined by the length of the longest single fish submitted.  For the slam event, it is the combined length of the three-targeted species (Largemouth Bass, Crappie, and Chain Pickerel), if Master SLAM add redfish, speckled trout, and flounder.

B. Fish length is determined by its tail touching or crossing a quarter-inch line on the measuring device. If it falls short of a line, the length is rounded down to the nearest 1/4-inch mark that the fish’ tail actually touches or crosses.  Angling the fish to achieve additional length will not result in a higher score and may result in deduction in length.  If a fish is submitted and rejected, it cannot be resubmitted.  The judge’s decision is final and not subject to debate.  Any attempt to discredit judges or TKAA via social media or any other methods will result in immediate DQ and no refunds permitted.

C. In the event of an exact tie in aggregate score, ties will be broken according to the time that the competitors’ last fish photo was officially checked in by the Judges. Should the last fish photo submission times be identical, and then both Competitors’ highest single-fish score will be compared and the higher score will be determining the outcome. If both Competitors’ highest single-fish score, too, is identical, then the second highest single-fish score of both Competitors will be compared, and so on until the tie is broken by the highest single-fish score.  If necessary, a complete re-score of the top anglers (prize eligible) may become necessary as determined by the judge.  The scores may change as necessary.

D.  Grading criteria:  the following standards in approving or disqualifying photos, and in accepting or adjusting lengths.
Item	Criteria	 Penalty

Photo	Blurry photos will be scored at the highest mark of which there is no doubt	n/a

Photo	Photo that is too blurry to judge at all	DQ

Photo	Photo appears to be second-generation (photo of a photo)	 DQ

Photo	Photo submitted before or after event date and time limits	 DQ

Photo	GPS photo tag or other evidence indicates photo was uploaded out of tournament “permitted waters” zone	 DQ

Photo	Multiple digital photos unintentionally submitted of the same fish	 DQ

Photo	Multiple digital photos intentionally submitted of the same fish; fraud	 Ban

Orientation	Fish is positioned with the head pointing to the right	 DQ

Orientation	Fish is positioned with dorsal fin at bottom of photo, pelvic and anal fins upward	 DQ

Identifier	Tournament Identifier missing, counterfeit, or incorrect for the event or competitor	 DQ

Kayak	Competitor’s kayak not visible in photo	 DQ

Mouth	Fish lip or mouth clearly not touching measuring device fence (the upright end plate)	 DQ

Mouth	Unable to ascertain with certainty that fish lip or mouth is touching measuring device fence	 1″

Mouth	Mouth slightly open, but less than 1/8 inch	 0″

Mouth	Mouth open 1/8 to 1/4 inch, even if it appears to be structurally unable to close completely.	 0.5″

Mouth	Mouth open 1/4 to 1/2 inch, even if it appears to be structurally unable to close completely.	 1.0″

Mouth	Mouth open wider than 1/2 inch, even if it appears to be structurally unable to close completely.	 1.5″

Mouth     Fish gripper left in mouth.  DQ

Body	Restraining device, stringer, tape, or clip of any kind is attached to fish or being used to secure it.	 1″

Body	Any portion of a hand or fingers under the fish’s operculum (hard gill flap)	 DQ

Body	Body off-center or curved so that one lobe of the tail extends 1/2 inch or more past the other lobe	 1″

Tail	Tail lifted off the measuring device; fish flapping tail so its tip is not in contact with the board	DQ

Fish	Any other fish than the species or varieties approved for the Competition	 DQ

Fish	Fish appears to have been snagged, snatched, or hooked in the body rather than mouth	 DQ

Fish	Fish appears to be dead, mutilated, frozen, mangled, or otherwise damaged so that it may not to have been taken according to the rules, or eye is covered so the condition of the fish cannot be ascertained.	 DQ

Fish	Fish appears to have been mashed, mauled, or otherwise altered to increase its length	 DQ
15. 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 any tournament activities.
16. RULE CHANGES:

Rule interpretation will be left exclusively to the TKAA Tournament Committee; all decisions are final in all matters and are not subject to appeal.
17. PROTEST:

Any and all protests must be submitted in writing, 30-minutes before the end time of tournament.  All protests will be reviewed by members of the TKAA Tournament Weigh-in Committee.  All Committee decisions will be final and are not subject to appeal.
STATEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING FOR PARTICIPATION IN ACTIVITIES, TRIPS, MEETINGS, INSTRUCTION, PADDLING, FISHING, WADING in the TIDEWATER KAYAK ANGLERS ASSOCIATIONFishing Tournaments  
In consideration of my entry being accepted for participation in the TKAA sanctioned events, I do hereby state that I understand that the purpose of signing this document is to exempt and release the Tidewater Kayak Anglers Association (TKAA), its agents, its endorsers and sponsors, administrators, successors, and assigns, including their officers, directors, members, operators, representatives, agents, insurers, successors, and volunteers, from each and every action and claim for damages, in law in admiralty, or in equity, arising from my association, entry or participation in the TKAA event. And hold these entities harmless from any and all liabilities arising as a consequence of the following, or any other acts or omissions on their part, including but not limited to negligence. I understand that there are inherent risks involved with paddle sports, fishing, wading in the water and swimming including but not limited to perils of the sea & or waterways, act of the other participants & adverse sea & weather conditions & I hereby assume such risks. I certify that my physical condition and training are adequate to enable me to compete safely in the TKAA events, and I acknowledge that I am familiar with paddling and the risk associated and I will not hold TKAA or their employees, agents, endorsers or other associated personnel or companies responsible if I am injured as a result of ANY problems (medical, accidental, or otherwise) which occur while paddling, fishing, or otherwise participating in the contest. I am also aware of the risks associated with the weather conditions that prevail on water at any time of the year: varying water temperatures, strong currents, choppy waters and marine animals. I also understand that pleasure and fishing craft share the waters and may be a danger. I specifically acknowledge that I am aware of the risks in Boating & Fishing and agree to assume those risks. If I should suffer illness or injury during the event I realize that medical care must be summoned & treatment will be delayed until I can return to shore & or be transported to a proper care facility. I agree in advance to these conditions. I will be present for the Captains meeting and be attentive to any information concerning conditions, which may cause me danger. If there is anything I have been told that I do not understand, I will immediately inform an official representative of the event. I authorize the officials of the event to use their discretion to have me transported to a medical facility and this Waiver and Release of Rights applies fully to such actions. I hereby grant full permission to any and all of the sponsors of this event or their representatives to use any photographs, motion pictures, video tapes, recordings or any other records of this event for any purpose whatever including commercial use. I UNDERSTAND I HAVE A DUTY TO EXERCISE REASONABLE CARE FOR MY OWN SAFETY & I AGREE TO DO SO. I will immediately stop my trip if paddling conditions are worse than those for which I have been trained or for which I have experienced. Neither, TKAA nor its endorsers, employees, sponsors, nor agents have made any representations to me, implied or otherwise, that they can or will perform safe rescue or first aid. In the event I become distressed or call for first aid, I would like assistance and will not hold TKAA their employees, volunteers or other competitors responsible for their actions in attempting the performance of rescue or first aid. I understand I have a duty to inspect the equipment I will be using; I will not hold anyone other than myself responsible for my failure to inspect my equipment prior to paddling. I understand that I am entering this event at my own risk and assume all risk of the hazards and dangers associated with this event. I understand that the event may be cancelled or altered due to weather conditions. I agree to forever discharge and release TKAA, its member(s), endorser(s), agent(s), owner(s), agent(s), volunteer(s), and sponsor(s) from any and all responsibility or liability for any and all injuries or damages. I agree NOT to make a claim against or sue any of the above parties for injuries or damages, whether they arise or result from any NEGLIGENCE, GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR OTHER LIABILITY. I further specifically agree, on behalf of myself, my heirs, & assigns to & indemnify & hold harmless the released parties for any & all causes of action arising as a consequence of any incidents which might occur as a consequence of my participation in any activities with or involving the released parties. 
I HAVE READ THIS AGREEMENT, AS WELL AS THE RULES OF THE CONTEST UNDERSTAND IT & AGREE TO BE BOUND BY IT FROM THE DATE OF MY REGISTRATION & FOREVER INTO THE FUTURE.