Open Catfish Tournament Official Rules and Regulations
1. This is a team tournament. Teams will consist of one, two or three Adults. One person must be least 18 years of age.
2. Teams must comply with State Laws of the water they are fishing. Any violation of any State Laws will be grounds for disqualification.
3. Nine Rods will be allowed to be in use by each team. (You are required to have the appropriate license for the area you are fishing)
4. Only Blue cats, Channel cats, and Flathead catfish will be weighed. A team limit of (5) five fish, (per day) ALIVE & IN GOOD CONDITION, will be weighed-in. You must have a livewell capable of keeping your fish alive. STATE SIZE & CREEL LIMITS ARE ENFORCED as per Indiana Law.
5. All fish must be caught by ROD and REEL ONLY. Fishing hours will be from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Saturday September 7th 2024 and 7:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Sunday September 8th 2024 (To be adjusted if fog delay).
6. Teams must fish from a boat, at all times, during the tournament. (Boat tournament only). No team member shall leave the boat to better their catch.
7. Any legal commercial or natural bait will be allowed.
8. Boats will leave the launch site in the order their registration was received. All boats will be checked prior to the start of the tournament.
9. NO registrations will be taken after 7:00 a.m. on the first morning of the tournament. All team members must report to the sign-in area and sign in no later than 7:00a.m., with identification, the first morning of the tournament and 6:15 a.m. the second morning. Any team member, pre-registered, who has not signed in, will not be allowed to fish and will forfeit entry fees.
10. It will be the angler’s responsibility to choose their big fish for weighing. Once weighed there will be no reweighs.
11. No drugs or alcoholic beverages of any kind will be allowed either in possession or consumed.
12. Fishing within 50 yards of a marina gas pump or within 50 yards of a competitor’s boat, which first anchored by either rope or anchor locked, is prohibited.
13. Unsportsmanlike conduct will be grounds for disqualification.
14. All teams participating are doing so at their own risk. Teams agree not to hold the Ohio Valley River Cats, the City of Rising Sun, Indiana, the Mayor’s office, the Ohio County Convention, Tourism and Visitor Commission any staff, or any sponsor liable for any damage or claims resulting from contestant’s participation in this tournament.
15. In case of a tie in a position, monies will be added together, and then divided equally: i.e. tie in (4th) fourth place; fourth and fifth place monies will be added together and divided equal. The next pay out will be sixth place. Tie in big fish, monies will be divided equally between both teams.
16. Any protest must be made, IN WRITING, to the tournament director within 30 minutes after weigh-in, and must state rule or rules that were broken.
17. Polygraphs-ANY WINNING TEAM may be subject to a polygraph as directed by the tournament director. Any team that fails the polygraph or refuses the polygraph WILL be disqualified.
18. Mandatory meeting will be attended by at least one member of each team at 7:15 a.m., on the first morning of the tournament or at the Captain’s meeting Friday night after registration Time TBA. (NO EXCEPTIONS). Second day meeting will be announced.
19. Casting nets will be allowed for the purpose of catching bait only.
20. Any other rules and regulation that is deemed necessary by the Ohio Valley River Cats, and Director to be advised at the tournament meeting.
21. Any team disqualified for cause will forfeit any entry fees.
22. All boats must return with the equipment they started with unless there is an emergency approved by the Director. Director must be notified before weighing in.
23. The decision of the tournament director WILL be final. Director also reserves the right to deny entry to any person or persons on reasonable grounds
24. Entry fees will be $150.00 non refundable, If you register in person at the Captain’s meeting or Saturday morning there is a $10.00 Late fee. (PER TEAM) with $25.00 going to 1st Big Fish. $100.00 entry fee payback for places 2-19. $25.00 entry fee to the OVRC