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2022 AMERICAN AMATEUR
CRAPPIE TRAIL TEAM RULES

1. QUALIFICATIONS: IF YOU HAVE WON $4000 OR MORE IN THE PAST YEAR IN ANY CRAPPIE TOURNAMENT YOU ARE INELIGIBLE TO COMPETE.

IF YOUR MAIN SOURCE OF INCOME COMES FROM FISHING YOU ARE INELIGBLE TO COMPETE.

IF YOU HAVE FINISHED IN THE TOP FOUR PLACES OF ANY MAJOR CRAPPIE TOURNEMENT IN THE PREVIOUS TWO YEARS YOU ARE INELIGABLE TO COMPETE.

2. TEAMS

You may enter alone or with a partner of your choice. Three can fish in a boat provided two (2) persons under the age of 16. Both members must be 60 years of age or older to qualify for the seniors division. Your fishing partner must be declared prior to practice starting.

3. FISHING HOURS

Fishing hours will be posted on the Tournament Information Page and are subject to change.

4. MINORS

Any minor (under 18) who participates, must make arrangements to have a parent or guardian present at the seminar to sign a release form or have the release form signed prior to the tournament, to allow a polygraph examination if required by the tournament director.

5. BIG FISH

Only one (1) Big Fish entry per team. The big fish must be alive.  Only one (1) big fish can be weighed in on each tournament day. Teams will have that fish marked and designated as their big fish at weigh-in. EACH TEAM WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE ENTERED INTO THE BIG FISH OPTION.

6. MEMBERSHIP

ACT membership is required to fish all ACT events. Failure to have an active/paid membership is grounds for disqualification. ACT Individual Membership fee is: $50.00 and Family Membership is: $75.00. A family membership is for two (2) Contestants that share a family name or residence.  ACT reserves the right to refuse and/or revoke memberships without cause, reason and/or explanation and without recourse at our own discretion. Membership does not guarantee the ability to enter a tournament. ACT may deny tournament entry to a member without cause, reason, explanation or recourse.

7. WAIVER AND RELEASE

As a condition of participation in each tournament, each contestant must execute a waiver and release of liability and a name and likeness release at the Captain’s Meeting.

8. PRIZES

Prizes will be handed out at the conclusion of the Day 2 weigh in. Teams must be present at the official weigh-in to be eligible for prizes.

9. ENTRY FEE

Team entry fee is $200 per team. Entry fee for the ACT events must be paid prior to the beginning of the pre tournament meeting.  Entry fee can be paid online, by mail, phone, or in person at registration. ACT will not refund or move entry for water or fishing conditions.  Teams must have a valid personal, family or work emergency for consideration of refund and tournament director must be notified of the situation prior to start of practice.

10. FISHABLE WATERS

Fishing within 50 feet of a Marina gas pump or within 50 feet of a competitor’s boat, which is first anchored, is prohibited (Trolling motors must be in up position and anchor rope visible to be considered anchored). A safe and courteous distance (50 feet) should be maintained when trolling motors are in use. Fishable waters are areas that tournament officials can access the fishing team via a John boat with a gasoline propelled tiller handle with lower unit. Boats may fish anywhere except areas designated as “off limits” or “no fishing” by Local, State or Federal officials or as posted on the Tournament Information page or announced at the Seminar. Any violation of off-limits water will result in disqualification.  Tournament officials reserve the right to restrict or enhance tournament waters based on conversations with local authorities.

11. COMPENSATION

No one can be hired or compensated in any way to fish with you or mark fishing spots for you 60 days prior to any tournament.

12. INFORMATION SHARING/GATHERING

ACT tournaments will operate under a NO INFORMATION RULE. Contestants cannot purchase, barter, solicit, or receive information from any person who entered official tournament waters during the established off-limits period for all ACT events. Passing of GPS coordinates is not allowed.  Talking with Game and Fish officials during off limits or practice to obtain information is not allowed. Asking bait and tackle stores or guides is not allowed. Any information that is available to the public is fair game in “scouting” a tournament water. Using the internet and or social media is considered public information and is permitted.  Contestants that are confirmed for the tournament are permitted to talk and share information with each other.

13. BOATS/MOTORS

ONLY ONE (1) BOAT MAY BE USED BY A TEAM AT ONE TIME DURING PRACTICE

You must fish from a boat. Rubber rafts, Canoes, Kayaks and go-devils are not allowed in practice or during official competition. All boats must have a 9.9 hp motor or higher.

14. POLES

Limit of eight (8) poles per team during tournament applies except where a state limit is set at a lesser number. Teams may use rod and reel combos, hand-held pole and reel combos or hand-held poles.

15. BAITS

A maximum of two baits per pole may be used during tournament hours if in accordance with Local and State laws. Live and artificial bait may be used. STINGER HOOKS are PROHIBITED. Trailer Hooks are PROHIBITED. Crankbaits with treble hooks are allowed.

16. OTHER EQUIPMENT

Binoculars and other magnifying devices are not allowed during pre-fishing or tournament at any time. Under water cameras during competition are not allowed. The use of mobile communication devices such as cellular phones, marine radios, walkie-talkies, CB’S, etc. to communicate fishing information during tournament hours is prohibited.

17. SPOTTING

During tournament hours no one may spot fish for you or mark fishing spots for you.

18. LANDING FISH

Crappie must be hooked and landed with a rod or pole by team member(s). Crappie must be hooked through the lip or in the mouth. Landing nets may be used.

19. SCALES

Scales will be set up and open two hours before the end of the official fishing hours for all tournaments.

20. WEIGH IN

Teams are allowed one (1) weigh in on tournament day.

21. FISH

Teams may weigh in seven (7), crappie each day of the tournament. Once you enter the weigh in line your fish will be counted and checked by a tournament official.  Dead fish will result in a .25 lb penalty per dead fish with a maximum of 1 dead fish allowed.  Teams presenting more than seven fish will be disqualified.  During fishing/tournament hours you can have the maximum amount of fish the state law allows.  At conclusion of your fishing day before you reach land you may only have 7 fish in the boat.

22. TOURNAMENT HOURS

All crappie brought to the scales for weigh-in must have been caught during the tournament hours from tournament waters by the team bringing them to the scales. Tournament hours will be posted on website under Lake Information pages and announced at the Captain’s Meeting. Example: Fishing hours 7 am-3 pm; begin fishing at 7:00 am and your baits must be out of the water at 3:00 pm. If your baits are in the water at 3:01 then you will be disqualified.

23. LENGTH

All crappie brought to the scales for weigh-in must meet the State length requirements for the state in which they are being weighed and may not have any weight enhancements.  Any team bringing in illegal crappie to the weigh-in line will be disqualified. The official measuring device for length is a B’n’M Fish Checker.

24. FINAL WEIGHT

Total weight of the day of competition will determine winner of the tournament.

25. TIES

All ties split the combined purse of that prize level.

26. SPOTTERS/OBSERVERS

ACT shall have the right to place a spotter boat and or an observer in the boat with any team at any time during the tournament, from the check-out to the check-in.  Any team refusing to comply will be an automatic disqualification.

27. VIOLATIONS

Each contestant agrees to report any violation or infraction of any tournament rules immediately to the tournament director.

28. PROTEST AND REPORTING PROCEDURE

All protests must be submitted in writing within (30) minutes of the final weigh-in to the tournament director or designated tournament official. The protestor also agrees that if there is a question with regards to verifying the protest, they may be subject to a polygraph exam and agree to testify in a court of law if necessary.

29. POLYGRAPH

By signature on the ACT Waiver/Release each contestant agrees to submit to a polygraph examination and abide by its conclusion should he/she be accused of any rule violation. The ACT Tournament Director or rules committee or such person designated by the Tournament Director shall have the discretion to determine the need for a polygraph examination. The ACT Tournament Director or his/her designee shall be responsible for selecting an independent expert to administer and interpret the results and establishing, in consultation with the expert administrator, the scope of the questions which may be asked during the polygraph examination.

30. CAPTAIN’S MEETING

One contestant from each team must check-in in person with official ACT staff at the time and place designated in the schedule of events. Check-In will be from 3:30-4:30 and meeting will immediately follow. Any contestant who has not contacted the ACT Tournament Director by the closing of Check-In may be disqualified from participating in the tournament.  It shall be each contestant’s responsibility to check the schedule of events for registration time and location or obtain times from the ACT tournament department.

31. SAFETY

Safe boat conduct must be observed at all times by contestants. During competition, each boat passenger must wear a Coast Guard-approved chest-type life preserver anytime the combustion engine is operating. This preserver must be strapped, snapped or zippered securely and maintained in that condition until the combustion engine is shut off. Inflatable life vest indicators should be checked daily. Violation of this rule shall be reason for disqualification. Boaters are encouraged to carry two Coast Guard approved chest type life preservers per boat. Manufacturer’s lanyard must be attached to the driver’s body any time the combustion engine is operating. Any time the combustion engine is operating and in gear there must be a driver in the driver’s seat in full control of the boat.

32. WEATHER

Tournament Director reserves the right to change fishing hours and/or Tournament Days in the event of severe weather (for example: from Fri-Sat to Sat-Sun). It is the Tournament Director’s decision to change blast off start due to inclement weather and reserves the right to allow trailering for safety.

33. ADVISORY BOARD

An Advisory Board will be established by ACT, which shall be comprised of a minimum of 8 anglers. ACT will look to this board for their input on various items regarding tournaments and the contestants. This Advisory Board may be asked to help resolve appeals/protests with regard to rules violations.

34. BOAT LAUNCH

On tournament day, you may launch your boat at ramp of your choice unless otherwise stated by Tournament director. At certain lakes launch sites may be limited to specific ramps. This information will be conveyed prior to practice starting on the Lake information page on the website and/or social media. On tournament day, in the event you need to load your boat after initial launch and/or move to a new location, you must notify the tournament director.

35. EXITING WATER DURING TOURNAMENT

In the event of an emergency situation, if you need to exit tournament waters during tournament hours you need to contact the Tournament Director.

36. RULE OF TIME KEEPING

The official time is kept by the Tournament Director at all times once open practice has begun. Time checks will be provided during tournament briefings and announced again at blast-off. For the rule of time keeping until the official clock reads the following minute contestants are not considered late for that minute in question, i.e., 3:00:59 is not considered late.  3:01 is considered one minute late. It is the angler’s responsibility to keep track of time and safely return to the checkpoint.

37. CONTESTANTS MUST REMAIN IN BOAT

During the competition days, contestants must not depart the boat to land fish or to make the boat more accessible to fishing waters. Boats must remain in tournament waters during tournament hours. Contestants must leave from and return to official checkpoint by boat.

38. REPORT EMERGENCY OR BREAKDOWN

To report an emergency or breakdown contact the Tournament Director or Official by phone.  At this point contestants must cease fishing and their catch must be verified by a tournament official in order to be counted in the tournament. If after the emergency situation is resolved by tournament officials and enough time is left for the contestants to resume fishing, a RESTART may be allowed, and the contestants will continue, and their catch will be counted. This applies only to emergency situations as determined by the Tournament Director or his designee. There are then two permitted methods of returning to the check-in: (1) by both paired anglers remaining in their boat and being towed by water, or (2) by one or both paired anglers entering the boat of another tournament contestant. Boats must be properly secured and stationary. Contestants must notify the tournament director as soon as possible. Under these two conditions both contestants’ catches may be counted without a penalty (except for late penalties, dead-fish penalties or other penalties pertaining to other tournament rules) provided that the broke down team’s fish kept separate so as to provide clear distinction of the two pairs catch to the Tournament Director.

39. RESTROOM BREAK

In the event of a needed restroom break anglers are allowed to leave the boat. At that point all fishing must cease until both anglers are back together in the boat.

40. INSURANCE

Liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $300,000 per occurrence is required of all Pros covering the boat being used for the tournament and practice. Proof of insurance must be in the boat being used and cover all passengers in the boat.

1. QUALIFICATIONS: IF YOU HAVE WON $4000 OR MORE IN THE PAST YEAR IN ANY CRAPPIE TOURNAMENT YOU ARE INELIGIBLE TO COMPETE.

IF YOUR MAIN SOURCE OF INCOME COMES FROM FISHING YOU ARE INELIGBLE TO COMPETE.

IF YOU HAVE FINISHED IN THE TOP FOUR PLACES OF ANY MAJOR CRAPPIE TOURNEMENT IN THE PREVIOUS TWO YEARS YOU ARE INELIGABLE TO COMPETE.

2. TEAMS

You may enter alone or with a partner of your choice. Three can fish in a boat provided two (2) persons under the age of 16. Both members must be 60 years of age or older to qualify for the seniors division. Your fishing partner must be declared prior to practice starting.

3. FISHING HOURS

Fishing hours will be posted on the Tournament Information Page and are subject to change.

4. MINORS

Any minor (under 18) who participates, must make arrangements to have a parent or guardian present at the seminar to sign a release form or have the release form signed prior to the tournament, to allow a polygraph examination if required by the tournament director.

5. BIG FISH

Only one (1) Big Fish entry per team. The big fish must be alive.  Only one (1) big fish can be weighed in on each tournament day. Teams will have that fish marked and designated as their big fish at weigh-in. EACH TEAM WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE ENTERED INTO THE BIG FISH OPTION.

6. MEMBERSHIP

ACT membership is required to fish all ACT events. Failure to have an active/paid membership is grounds for disqualification. ACT Individual Membership fee is: $50.00 and Family Membership is: $75.00. A family membership is for two (2) Contestants that share a family name or residence.  ACT reserves the right to refuse and/or revoke memberships without cause, reason and/or explanation and without recourse at our own discretion. Membership does not guarantee the ability to enter a tournament. ACT may deny tournament entry to a member without cause, reason, explanation or recourse.

7. WAIVER AND RELEASE

As a condition of participation in each tournament, each contestant must execute a waiver and release of liability and a name and likeness release at the Captain’s Meeting.

8. PRIZES

Prizes will be handed out at the conclusion of the Day 2 weigh in. Teams must be present at the official weigh-in to be eligible for prizes.

9. ENTRY FEE

Team entry fee is $200 per team. Entry fee for the ACT events must be paid prior to the beginning of the pre tournament meeting.  Entry fee can be paid online, by mail, phone, or in person at registration. ACT will not refund or move entry for water or fishing conditions.  Teams must have a valid personal, family or work emergency for consideration of refund and tournament director must be notified of the situation prior to start of practice.

10. FISHABLE WATERS

Fishing within 50 feet of a Marina gas pump or within 50 feet of a competitor’s boat, which is first anchored, is prohibited (Trolling motors must be in up position and anchor rope visible to be considered anchored). A safe and courteous distance (50 feet) should be maintained when trolling motors are in use. Fishable waters are areas that tournament officials can access the fishing team via a John boat with a gasoline propelled tiller handle with lower unit. Boats may fish anywhere except areas designated as “off limits” or “no fishing” by Local, State or Federal officials or as posted on the Tournament Information page or announced at the Seminar. Any violation of off-limits water will result in disqualification.  Tournament officials reserve the right to restrict or enhance tournament waters based on conversations with local authorities.

11. COMPENSATION

No one can be hired or compensated in any way to fish with you or mark fishing spots for you 60 days prior to any tournament.

12. INFORMATION SHARING/GATHERING

ACT tournaments will operate under a NO INFORMATION RULE. Contestants cannot purchase, barter, solicit, or receive information from any person who entered official tournament waters during the established off-limits period for all ACT events. Passing of GPS coordinates is not allowed.  Talking with Game and Fish officials during off limits or practice to obtain information is not allowed. Asking bait and tackle stores or guides is not allowed. Any information that is available to the public is fair game in “scouting” a tournament water. Using the internet and or social media is considered public information and is permitted.  Contestants that are confirmed for the tournament are permitted to talk and share information with each other.

13. BOATS/MOTORS

ONLY ONE (1) BOAT MAY BE USED BY A TEAM AT ONE TIME DURING PRACTICE

You must fish from a boat. Rubber rafts, Canoes, Kayaks and go-devils are not allowed in practice or during official competition. All boats must have a 9.9 hp motor or higher.

14. POLES

Limit of eight (8) poles per team during tournament applies except where a state limit is set at a lesser number. Teams may use rod and reel combos, hand-held pole and reel combos or hand-held poles.

15. BAITS

A maximum of two baits per pole may be used during tournament hours if in accordance with Local and State laws. Live and artificial bait may be used. STINGER HOOKS are PROHIBITED. Trailer Hooks are PROHIBITED. Crankbaits with treble hooks are allowed.

16. OTHER EQUIPMENT

Binoculars and other magnifying devices are not allowed during pre-fishing or tournament at any time. Under water cameras during competition are not allowed. The use of mobile communication devices such as cellular phones, marine radios, walkie-talkies, CB’S, etc. to communicate fishing information during tournament hours is prohibited.

17. SPOTTING

During tournament hours no one may spot fish for you or mark fishing spots for you.

18. LANDING FISH

Crappie must be hooked and landed with a rod or pole by team member(s). Crappie must be hooked through the lip or in the mouth. Landing nets may be used.

19. SCALES

Scales will be set up and open two hours before the end of the official fishing hours for all tournaments.

20. WEIGH IN

Teams are allowed one (1) weigh in on tournament day.

21. FISH

Teams may weigh in seven (7), crappie each day of the tournament. Once you enter the weigh in line your fish will be counted and checked by a tournament official.  Dead fish will result in a .25 lb penalty per dead fish with a maximum of 1 dead fish allowed.  Teams presenting more than seven fish will be disqualified.  During fishing/tournament hours you can have the maximum amount of fish the state law allows.  At conclusion of your fishing day before you reach land you may only have 7 fish in the boat.

22. TOURNAMENT HOURS

All crappie brought to the scales for weigh-in must have been caught during the tournament hours from tournament waters by the team bringing them to the scales. Tournament hours will be posted on website under Lake Information pages and announced at the Captain’s Meeting. Example: Fishing hours 7 am-3 pm; begin fishing at 7:00 am and your baits must be out of the water at 3:00 pm. If your baits are in the water at 3:01 then you will be disqualified.

23. LENGTH

All crappie brought to the scales for weigh-in must meet the State length requirements for the state in which they are being weighed and may not have any weight enhancements.  Any team bringing in illegal crappie to the weigh-in line will be disqualified. The official measuring device for length is a B’n’M Fish Checker.

24. FINAL WEIGHT

Total weight of the day of competition will determine winner of the tournament.

25. TIES

All ties split the combined purse of that prize level.

26. SPOTTERS/OBSERVERS

ACT shall have the right to place a spotter boat and or an observer in the boat with any team at any time during the tournament, from the check-out to the check-in.  Any team refusing to comply will be an automatic disqualification.

27. VIOLATIONS

Each contestant agrees to report any violation or infraction of any tournament rules immediately to the tournament director.

28. PROTEST AND REPORTING PROCEDURE

All protests must be submitted in writing within (30) minutes of the final weigh-in to the tournament director or designated tournament official. The protestor also agrees that if there is a question with regards to verifying the protest, they may be subject to a polygraph exam and agree to testify in a court of law if necessary.

29. POLYGRAPH

By signature on the ACT Waiver/Release each contestant agrees to submit to a polygraph examination and abide by its conclusion should he/she be accused of any rule violation. The ACT Tournament Director or rules committee or such person designated by the Tournament Director shall have the discretion to determine the need for a polygraph examination. The ACT Tournament Director or his/her designee shall be responsible for selecting an independent expert to administer and interpret the results and establishing, in consultation with the expert administrator, the scope of the questions which may be asked during the polygraph examination.

30. CAPTAIN’S MEETING

One contestant from each team must check-in in person with official ACT staff at the time and place designated in the schedule of events. Check-In will be from 3:30-4:30 and meeting will immediately follow. Any contestant who has not contacted the ACT Tournament Director by the closing of Check-In may be disqualified from participating in the tournament.  It shall be each contestant’s responsibility to check the schedule of events for registration time and location or obtain times from the ACT tournament department.

31. SAFETY

Safe boat conduct must be observed at all times by contestants. During competition, each boat passenger must wear a Coast Guard-approved chest-type life preserver anytime the combustion engine is operating. This preserver must be strapped, snapped or zippered securely and maintained in that condition until the combustion engine is shut off. Inflatable life vest indicators should be checked daily. Violation of this rule shall be reason for disqualification. Boaters are encouraged to carry two Coast Guard approved chest type life preservers per boat. Manufacturer’s lanyard must be attached to the driver’s body any time the combustion engine is operating. Any time the combustion engine is operating and in gear there must be a driver in the driver’s seat in full control of the boat.

32. WEATHER

Tournament Director reserves the right to change fishing hours and/or Tournament Days in the event of severe weather (for example: from Fri-Sat to Sat-Sun). It is the Tournament Director’s decision to change blast off start due to inclement weather and reserves the right to allow trailering for safety.

33. ADVISORY BOARD

An Advisory Board will be established by ACT, which shall be comprised of a minimum of 8 anglers. ACT will look to this board for their input on various items regarding tournaments and the contestants. This Advisory Board may be asked to help resolve appeals/protests with regard to rules violations.

34. BOAT LAUNCH

On tournament day, you may launch your boat at ramp of your choice unless otherwise stated by Tournament director. At certain lakes launch sites may be limited to specific ramps. This information will be conveyed prior to practice starting on the Lake information page on the website and/or social media. On tournament day, in the event you need to load your boat after initial launch and/or move to a new location, you must notify the tournament director.

35. EXITING WATER DURING TOURNAMENT

In the event of an emergency situation, if you need to exit tournament waters during tournament hours you need to contact the Tournament Director.

36. RULE OF TIME KEEPING

The official time is kept by the Tournament Director at all times once open practice has begun. Time checks will be provided during tournament briefings and announced again at blast-off. For the rule of time keeping until the official clock reads the following minute contestants are not considered late for that minute in question, i.e., 3:00:59 is not considered late.  3:01 is considered one minute late. It is the angler’s responsibility to keep track of time and safely return to the checkpoint.

37. CONTESTANTS MUST REMAIN IN BOAT

During the competition days, contestants must not depart the boat to land fish or to make the boat more accessible to fishing waters. Boats must remain in tournament waters during tournament hours. Contestants must leave from and return to official checkpoint by boat.

38. REPORT EMERGENCY OR BREAKDOWN

To report an emergency or breakdown contact the Tournament Director or Official by phone.  At this point contestants must cease fishing and their catch must be verified by a tournament official in order to be counted in the tournament. If after the emergency situation is resolved by tournament officials and enough time is left for the contestants to resume fishing, a RESTART may be allowed, and the contestants will continue, and their catch will be counted. This applies only to emergency situations as determined by the Tournament Director or his designee. There are then two permitted methods of returning to the check-in: (1) by both paired anglers remaining in their boat and being towed by water, or (2) by one or both paired anglers entering the boat of another tournament contestant. Boats must be properly secured and stationary. Contestants must notify the tournament director as soon as possible. Under these two conditions both contestants’ catches may be counted without a penalty (except for late penalties, dead-fish penalties or other penalties pertaining to other tournament rules) provided that the broke down team’s fish kept separate so as to provide clear distinction of the two pairs catch to the Tournament Director.

39. RESTROOM BREAK

In the event of a needed restroom break anglers are allowed to leave the boat. At that point all fishing must cease until both anglers are back together in the boat.

40. INSURANCE

Liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $300,000 per occurrence is required of all Pros covering the boat being used for the tournament and practice. Proof of insurance must be in the boat being used and cover all passengers in the boat.

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© 2021 American Crappie Trail