2019 Rules

ALL tournaments are open to all individuals regardless of race, creed, color or gender.

A team shall consist of at least 2 anglers per boat and up to 3 at the $200 entry fee.

Additional team members may be under the age of 16 with no limit to this number.

If you wish to add additional team members other than participants under the age of 16 then you MUST pay $25 and not exceed the capacity plate of the boat. Exceeding the capacity plate of the boat will result in disqualification. If you wish to add more than 3 people per boat you must contact us and make proper arrangements.

Contestants may NOT fish alone. For safety reasons there must be at least 2 people per boat. At least one contestant must be 18 years of age or older. Anyone under the age of 18 must have a signed parent or guardian release of liability

Entry fees are refundable until the following dates:

100% till 9/30/18

75% till 10/31/18

50% till 11/30/18

No entry fees will be refunded after 11/30/18

ALL STATE LAWS WILL RULE OVER ANY RULE BELOW

1. 1.  In case of extreme water/weather conditions, Sportsman’s Media Group, Inc. reserves the right to cancel/re-schedule the event.

1. 1. Registration will end at the beginning of the captains meeting.

1. 1. Teams must compete from a boat and remain in the boat during competition. Fishing within 50 yards of a marina gas pump is prohibited. Encroachment within 50 yards of an anchored or drifting team will be considered unsportsmanlike conduct (Director cannot go by word of mouth, will need picture or video evidence)

1. 1.  All fish weighed must be caught by rod and reel only. No limit on rods in use. No maximum number of rods in boat. No catfish may be taken from trot, jug, or limb lines etc…

1. 1. Teams must comply with state fishing and boating regulations, including the use of PFDs and kill switches. Fishing and boating licenses are the responsibility of team members.

1. 1. Blue Cat, Channel Cat, or Flathead Cat may be weighed. A team limit of 5 fish maximum with only two (2) being over the 34” rule. Must be alive and healthy to weigh in. The health of the fish will be the final decision of the tournament director.

1. 1.  The use of mobile communication devices such as cellular phones, marine radios, etc. to communicate fishing information during tournament hours is prohibited.

1. 1.  Any team having a member who fails or refuses to take a polygraph test or whose condition does not permit administration of a test because of contestant’s use of alcohol or drugs will be disqualified and that team will not be allowed to participate in any future events put on by Fishlife / Sportsman’s Media Group, Inc.

1. 1.  Any protest must be made in writing to the tournament director within 10 minutes following the end of the official weigh-in. A protest must state the rule number(s) broken.

1. 1.  Alcohol & Drugs: During tournament hours, no alcoholic beverages or narcotic drugs (unless prescription drugs prescribed to the user, and must not be the operator of the vessel) may be consumed or allowed in the boat while on the water. Operator must be coherent at all times. Any use of alcohol or drugs during the entire Winter Blues on Wheeler event will result in disqualification.

1. 1.  The use of or display of any tobacco products in weigh-in line, on stage or during awards ceremonies is prohibited.

1. 1.  Entrants agree to conduct themselves in a PROFESSIONAL manner, unsportsmanlike conduct will be grounds for disqualification. All decisions by tournament director are final

1. 1. Tournament boundaries are all navigable waters of Wheeler, Wilson, or Guntersville. Due to water conditions, commercial traffic will be priority. LOCK AT YOUR OWN RISK.

1. 1. No trailering will be allowed.

1. 1. All livewells/baitwells will be checked before allowed to launch. Any legal bait (dead or live) may be used. Your boat slip issued at the Captains Meeting must be available for weigh in. If you do not have  your boat slip you WILL BE NOT BE ALLOWED TO WEIGH IN. NO EXCEPTIONS.

1. 1. Tournament will start at what the tournament director feels is “safe light” Weigh in will begin at 3:00pm and will be separated at 25 boat flights 15 minutes apart. If you are late at your designated weigh in time you will be disqualified. NO EXCEPTIONS.

1. 1. At least one member from your team is required to attend captains meeting.

1. 1. Registration: Entry fee for the event is $200 You may print the entry form, fill out entirely and send by U.S. Mail. Please remember that you will NOT be preregistered until payment has been made and received. Payment by mail will not be accepted after December 30, 2018.

      You may Pre Register online at www.fishlife.net. Entry fee will be $200 plus a $10 fee

      Registration at the Captains Meeting will be accepted on a cash basis only. NO CHECKS. NO CREDIT CARDS. Payments made at the Captains Meeting will be assessed a $25 late fee.  Registration forms must be completed in full. Boat numbers will be assigned in order of paid registrations accepted.

1. 1. Weigh-In: Scales will open at 3PM. However, if you believe that your fish may be in jeopardy of dying for whatever reason. You may bring your catch to the scales to be weighed at any time after 12pm. All fish held in your live well at this time will be weighed. No Dead Fish Will Be Weighed. Remember, Fishlife puts conservation first.

1. 1.  Places of finish for a given tournament will be determined by total weight scored in pounds and hundredths of pounds. In the event of a tie the places will be combined and split.

1. 1.  Culling Fish: It is the responsibility of each team to have no more than the tournament limit in their live well during the event. Culling must be performed at the time a fish is caught that puts you over the tournament limit. Culling is not allowed at the ramp or dock.

1. 1.  Breakdowns/Emergencies: Anglers are not permitted to leave their boats nor touch another boat, with the exception of an emergency or major equipment failure during the tournament. In this case, it is permitted to be towed either to safety or back to the weigh-in area by any safe means available. You may not transport fish by land if you choose to trailer back to the weigh-in area; however, you may have your fish transported to the weigh-in by another tournament boat participating in the same event. Transported fish must be held separate from another contestant’s fish. At least one person must stay with your fish at all times and neither angler is permitted to fish while under the assistance of another boat during the breakdown period.

1. 1. The use of drones or other electronic devices to aid in fishing, finding fish, or placing bait other than fish finders, flashers, and GPS units are prohibited.

1. 1.  Prizes: Awards during the tournament require the winners to be present at the time the awards are distributed. Winners not present at the awards ceremony will forfeit any and all prizes selected for them. If your name is called for a money award as the result of placement in the tournament, you are allowed 10 minutes to claim you winnings. If it is not claimed within 10 minutes then the next placed competitor will receive the award. If the next competitor does not claim the prize, one more attempt will be made for a third competitor. If this competitor does not come forward then the award and or prize will become the property of Sportsman’s Media group, Inc.

1. 1.  In the event a team qualifies for the State Record Bonus Program: All criteria must be met according to the underwriters rules. Payment will be made to the anglers after all paperwork has been submitted to the underwriters and they agree that all criteria has been met. The underwriters are the payers to the anglers for the bonus program.

1. Photograph and Video: All photos and or video taken at Winter Blues on Wheeler event are the property of Sportsman’s Media Group, Inc. and may be used for promotional purposes. If you are approached by media you are expected to present yourself in a professional manner and accommodate them within reason. During weigh in you are expected to present yourself in a professional manner and answer the questions to the best of your ability. Remember, you are representing our sport.
   Any form of cheating or malpractice will result in immediate disqualification from current and future events. By your participation in this tournament, you agree to comply with the all rules of Winter Blues on Wheeler

The Tournament Committee, whose decision will be final, will resolve any and all conditions that may arise which are not covered by the above.