The Tournament Committee reserves the right to decline entry or participating by any person, team or boat, as deemed necessary, to ensure such things as integrity, image, reputation, and financial performance and community relationships with sponsors, participants and supporting groups.

BAD WEATHER – In case of bad weather, 4 hours of fishing constitutes a completed tournament day.  If only 4 hours of a 2-day tournament can be fished it will be considered a complete tournament.  If we cannot fish the 1st day of a 2-day tournament by 10:00 AM because of weather conditions, the tournament will be cancelled for the day.  Fishing will be allowed for tournament boats for the rest of the day.  On the 2nd day, we will wait until 11:00 AM to cancel (due to poor weather conditions).  If we do not start until 11:00 AM, fishing will not end until 3:00 PM.   The 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM hours pertain to the 2nd day of tournament only.  Tournament Committee will be the final authority on all weather decisions.

TOURNAMENT CANCELLATIONS – If this tournament is not completed in it’s entirety due to uncontrollable circumstances, a refund check will be mailed to all participants within 14 days. However, a portion of the registration fee may be charged to cover any expenses incurred by the MCSFA.

NUMBER OF RODS – Maximum number of fishing lines is 9.  Fishing means “in the water” 10 or more lines in the water at any one time disqualifies the team.  One slider per rod will be allowed, however, sliders may not exceed 72 inches.  Maximum 2 baits per rod.

RADIO- All boats must have a marine radio.  Monitor Channel 68 for tournament communications.  Tournament Control will monitor Channel 68 throughout the day in case of an emergency or situation that requires immediate attention.  All tournaments will start and end on specified marine radio channels.

MICHIGAN LAWS – All State of Michigan fishing laws must be observed.  LIMITS – See specific tournament page for catch limit and for length specifications.

GAFFING FISH – Gaffing fish is not allowed. Foreign substances, including ice packed into the fish’s mouth or body cavities, will disqualify the entire team

TOURNAMENT SCORES – See specific tournament pages for scoring methods.  WEIGH-IN – At least one team member must stay with the cooler at all times until fish are weighed.

ICE – Block or bagged ice only.  No loose ice cubes or crushed ice will be allowed.  CREW SIZE – A minimum of 3 legal fishermen is required to comply with maximum 9 lines.

TRI-PORT START- Each boat must declare their home port for this tournament and must start and return to that port for all tournament fishing days.

TOURNAMENT COMMITTEE – A committee will be selected at each Captain’s meeting from the tournament participants.  This committee will preside over the tournament and handle judgment on weather conditions, disputes, disagreements, or violation of rules.  Your participation in this tournament indicates your acceptance of this procedure and your agreement that the decisions of the tournament committee will be final.  Immediate action for non-compliance of tournament rules will be the jurisdiction of the tournament committee and/or MCSFA board members regarding the event in question. Further disposition will become the responsibility of MCSFA board members.  When you elect to fish in MCSFA events you agree, by your signature, to abide by the policies, rules and decisions set forth by the MCSFA board members and rules committee.

IDENTIFICATION – All tournament boats must clearly display the provided identification flag at all times during the tournament.

CAPTAINS’ MEETING – At least one person from each team is required at the Captain’s meetings.

DISABLED BOATS – Boats must return under their own power.  We hopefully will have the Coast Guard standing by in the event a tournament boat becomes disabled.  No boat may come in direct physical contact with another boat for any reason unless authorized by Tournament control.  Physical contact will result in disqualification for both teams.  Obviously boats in distress, dangerous or life threatening situations must be dealt with accordingly.  Disabled boats that arrive late will not be able to use that day’s catch for the tournament prizes.

POLYGRAPH EXAMINATIONS –All participants who weigh fish and are eligible for cash and prizes may be required to submit to a polygraph examination.  Failure to comply will result in immediate disqualification and forfeiture of any and all cash and prizes.

PROFIT – All profit (if any) from the results of any MCSFA sponsored tournament, Derby, or event will be used exclusively on the development of improvements in our fishery.

PROTEST – Any protests must be submitted within 1 hour after posted tournament time each day.

PRO TEAMS DEFINED – Pro Teams are required to fish the Pro Division.
Teams who represent a major fishing related product or who are sponsored or who promote a major fishing related product where sales may be increased by the result of tournament participation must fish in the Pro Division.  Field testers are not considered Pro teams.
All licensed charter boats, or charter captains who worked as captain on the Great Lakes in 2009 or 2010 must fish the Pro Division.
Failure to disclose all pertinent information could result in disqualification.

CHEATING – Cheating will not be tolerated.  In addition to our posted $500.00 reward, anyone caught cheating will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, banned for life from all the MCSFA events and have their names sent to all the Great Lakes Tournament Committees.

VENDORS- All business conducted at the MSCFA tournament event must be done by approved vendors.

Insta Launch Campground

Don’s Sporting Goods

Manistee News Advocate

Manistee County Convention and Visitors Bureau

Tangled Tackle Company
(Bud Fitzgerald & Stephanie Fitzgerald, DO)