Southern Crappie Association Tournament Trail Rules and Regulations

1)      You must be 18 years old or be accompanied by an adult 18 or older

2)      You may fish alone or with a partner.  If you fish with another person, that person must remain your partner throughout the SCA Tournament Trail when participating in the the "Points Race".  You must fish with this person or alone.

        *Exception#1: Once per tournament season you may elect to fish with a "non-member" and retain points for your normal team without penalty.

        Also see Exception#2 under Rule 3.

3)      No more than two people are allowed in the boat during tournament hours.

        *Exception #1: Once per tournament season, a third person (non-member) is allowed in the boat.  That person may not fish (observation only) unless they are 12 years old or under. 

        *Exception #2: An adult member and up to two minors under the age of 16 may register as a team to fish a single tournament during the tournament season.  The minors do not have to become members to fish this tournament.  However, if either of those two minors fish more than once during the tournament season, they must then become members. 

4)      No more than 16 rods (max) can be in the water at one time (lake regulations may require a lesser amount)

5)      No fishing is allowed after 6:00 p.m. the day before the tournament

6)      Each fish weighed in must be caught in the mouth with the hook.  No snared fish will be considered a legal catch.  Each fish must be caught by you or your partner on the day of the tournament and on tournament waters allowed for each event

7)      All fish must be alive at the weigh-in line upon inspection; however, one fish may be weighed in dead with a 4-ounce penalty

8)      Any other dead fish will be removed and only those that are alive will be weighed

9)      A 7-fish limit will be presented at the weigh-in sight.  More than 7 fish will result in immediate disqualification

10)   Each team is responsible for their license and boat registration

11)   Live and artificial bait may be used with no more than two hooks per pole

12)   All state limits apply for creel and size limit

13)   In the event of a tie, the award will be split between the tying teams

14)   Only one big fish per team can be weighed in

15)   You must be standing in the weigh-in line by 4:00 p.m. or be disqualified

16)   Both team members must be present at the weigh-in unless approved by the tournament director

17)   Tournament hours are from 7:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.  No rods may be in the water before 7:00 a.m. and must be out of the water by 3:00 p.m.

18)   Please use courtesy with other boats and respect their fishing areas

19)   You may fish from land that is a public fishing area but you must be within 25 feet of your partner

20)   Private docks may not be anchored upon and may not be walked on, but you may fish the water under the dock.  Please use common courtesy if the dock is occupied

21)   All state limits and regulations must be obeyed as well as all boating rules and regulations

22)   No alcoholic beverages are allowed in the boat or at the weigh-in area.  Please respect others who do not drink and children who are present

23)   The 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place finishers, as well as the big-fish winner, will be subject to a polygraph test.  Anyone who fails a polygraph test or refuses to take one will be automatically disqualified and forfeit any money, points, recognition and all ties with the Southern Crappie Association Tournament Trail

24)   Any protest must be submitted to the tournament director within ten minutes after the weigh-in is final.  If a protest is submitted, the protester is responsible for all polygraph fees up front.  If the alleged violator is found to be guilty of the accusations, the protester's polygraph fees will be refunded.

25)   Guides are eligible to fish in the tournament; however, you cannot hire a guide to fish with you during the tournament.  During the Southern Crappie Association Classic a guide may not be hired 30 days prior to the tournament

26)  Fish that are brought to the scales must be released back into the lake, unless the weigh-in site is at an area that isn’t adjacent to the lake

27) The use of any electronic devices such as cellular telephones and radios, to communicate fishing information during tournament hours is prohibited.  Other business such as emergencies, family or business is allowed.

Classic Rule:

"we will have to amend the classic rule: "Pay for 4 and physically fish 3 of those 4" to "Pay for 4 and physically fish 2 of those 4".  If at this point a team needs to pay for a 4th tourney, they may send their $ in and will get credit for paying for the 4th.  This money will go into a separate file and be appropriately applied to the Classic" ~ Melissa