Rules & Registration

1. Eligibility: Any team or individual registered for the tournament and paid an entry fee of $50 per boat can participate. All SMART #110 members in good standing will have their entry fee covered by SMART #110. (2 members $50, 1 member/1 nonmember $25) The number of persons in a boat is not limited. However, only two anglers per boat can fish.  Fee due at check-in.  T-shirts will be given out on a first come-first serve basis starting with those that pre-register.

2. Date and Time: The tournament will occur at Possum Ridge State Park Ramp on May 13, beginning at 7:00am and ending at 1:00pm.  Upon paying you will receive a poker chip.  Teams must do a live well check-in before launch at which time your chip will be numbered.  You may start fishing (line in the water) anywhere on Taylorville Lake at 7:00am.  All participants must turn in chips by 1:30 p.m. and weigh in by 2 p.m. to qualify. There are no exceptions. All team members must be present at the time of weigh-in and during fishing tournament hours.

3. Boat Regulations: Participants are required to use their boats. All boats must have working live well to keep fish alive. Boats must have all safety equipment required by law.

4. Fish Limits: Each Team can weigh-in a maximum of 7 crappies. The minimum size for crappie is 10 inches; those must be alive when entering the weigh-in line. Any team presenting more than seven crappies will be disqualified. Once you have entered the weigh-in line, your fish will be counted (7 Fish) and verified dead or alive. Dead fish will be removed, and you may continue to the scales for your official weigh-in. Once your fish has been verified alive and entered on the weigh-in voucher, you will be allowed to weigh in those fish even if one or more die before reaching the scales. The Tournament Committee is solely responsible for declaring dead or alive crappie.

5. Bait and Tackle: Participants may use live or artificial bait. All fish must be caught on a pole and line—NO SNAGGING or POOLING OF FISH between teams. There is no limit to the number of rods or baits per person.

6. Big Fish Contest: Only one big fish entry per boat. The team must designate big fish entry at the time of weigh-in. The big fish pot is $20 per entry 100% payout.

7. Laws and Regulations: All teams must follow State boating and fishing regulations. Fishing license, boating license, and launching fees are each angler’s responsibility.

8. Scoring: The Team with the highest weight of crappie will be declared the winner. In case of a tie, the Team who weighed their fish first will be declared the winner.

9. Sportsmanship: No one can be hired or compensated to fish with you or mark your spots before and during the tournament. Sportsmanship, courtesy, safety, and conservation are expected from each angler. There is only fishing within 50 feet of any boat if you have permission from that boat or water conditions void this rule.

10. Payout: First Place – 70% of total entry fees; Second Place – 30% of total entry fees; Third Place- Entry fee refunded.