Surf Challenge Rules
2009 RULES AND REGULATIONS
(click here for a downloadable pdf version of the 2009 Surf Challenge Rules)
1. All fish must adhere to state and federal regulations to qualify for winnings in this tournament, and all fishermen (except fishermen under the age of 16) must possess a valid NC Coastal Recreational Fishing License.
2. The tournament’s entry fee places you in all six categories-flounder, speckled trout, bluefish, pompano, black drum, and whiting. The entry fee does not place you in the Red Drum TWT.
3. All participants must be registered by 10:00 pm on Friday, October 16. Registration is on Friday, October 16, from 2:00 pm to 10:00 pm. You may also pre-register in person at Tex’s Tackle and Island Tackle and Hardware, or you may pre-register by mailing in the entry form in our tournament booklet or on our website at www.FishermansPost.com.
4. The tournament fishing time starts 12:00 midnight on Friday, October 16, and lasts around the clock until 12:00 noon on Sunday, October 18.
5. There are three weigh stations: (1) the Carolina Beach Pier at the North End; (2) Island Tackle and Hardware; and (3) South End on the beach near the 4-wheel drive entry.
6. The three weigh stations will be open around the clock from 12:00 midnight on Friday, October 16, through 12:00 noon on Sunday, October 18. All fish must be in the weigh station line by 12:00 noon, Sunday, October 18.
7. All participants must fish from the Pleasure Island surf. No boats. No sound or pier fishing. The North End boundary is the rope fence before the creek (no casting into the creek). The South End boundary is the rope fence.
8. No fishing is permitted within 100 yards of any fishing pier.
9. All fish weighed must have been caught by the individual bringing them to a weigh station. All fish must be caught on hook and line.
10. Each participant may not fish more than two rods at a time.
11. No kite fishing, balloon rigs, or paddling out baits.
12. No chumming or chum pots.
13. No gaffing fish is allowed. A hand or dip net may be used.
14. The tournament will fish rain or shine-no makeup dates are scheduled.
15. All participants must display the tournament band while fishing, as well as tournament antennae ribbon.
16. No cut or mutilated fish will be accepted.
17. Any fish weighed in may become the property of the Pleasure Island Surf Fishing Challenge.
18. The Red Drum Calcutta (TWT–tournament within a tournament) is voluntary for tournament anglers. It is offered as another way for you to win money. It has a payout ratio of 1st-50%, 2nd-30%, and 3rd-20%.
19. All red drum weighed in must be in the slot and weighed in alive. Red drum must be caught unassisted-no nets or gaffs. You may only weigh in only one red drum on Saturday (up until 12:00 midnight) and only one red drum on Sunday.
20. Prizes are awarded solely on the basis of fish weight. In the event of identical weights, the first fish weighed shall be declared the winner.
21. A participant may not place more than once in any one category, but a participant may place in multiple categories (for example, you can’t place twice in the Flounder Division, but you can place once in Flounder, once in Pompano, once in Speckled Trout, etc.).
22. Red drum do not count towards the Junior Angler, Lady Angler, and Senior Angler prizes.
23. The Junior Angler must be 14 years of age or younger and accompany his/her fish to the scales. Anyone 14-years-old or younger is automatically considered a junior angler.
24. The Lady Angler must accompany her fish to the scales.
25. The Senior Angler must be at least 60 years of age and accompany his/her fish to the scales. Anyone 60-years-old or older is automatically considered a senior angler.
26. By signing the entry form, the participant consents that the Pleasure Island Surf Fishing Challenge may use without payment or restrictions any photographs in which he or she appears for any purpose whatsoever, including but not limited to resale, advertising, commercial, or promotional material.
27. Any angler, if directed by the tournament committee, must submit to a polygraph test. This decision is at the sole discretion of the tournament committee. Should the test be failed, the tournament committee reserves the right to forfeit all winnings awarded to the winner in question.
28. All protests made to the tournament committee shall be accompanied by a $200 cash deposit. All protests shall be made no later than one hour after the last fish has been weighed. The $200 cash deposit will be returned if the tournament committee upholds the protest. The $200 cash deposit will become the property of the Pleasure Island Surf Fishing Challenge if the protest is not upheld. All decisions of the tournament committee shall be final.
29. The tournament committee has the right to refuse entry from any applicant. If an entry is refused, then 100% of the applicant’s entry fee will be returned.
30. All participants are responsible for reading and following all rules and regulations set forth by the Pleasure Island Surf Fishing Challenge.