2008 LAKES TOURNAMENT TRAIL RULES
1. All tournaments will operate under a pre-registration format. A team may pay for the entire season or by a tourney by tourney basis. Entry deadlines are postmarked no later than the Monday prior to the event (schedule below). A $10 late fee for same day or late registration.
2. Entry fees are $110. per event. Entry fees are 100% payback for the year. 80% payback at each qualifier. A portion of each entry will be held in reserve for the championship fund. Paybacks are pro-rated based on 80 teams. Entries above 80 teams will be added as additional places or 3rd big bass or both. Entry fees include Big Bass. *Big bass will be $10. x the number of paid entries (ex. 90 teams=$900.) Only 1 big bass prize per team per event. Bass must be alive to collect Big Bass prize. No refund or transfers for any DQ’s, or no-shows.
3. To join: Read 4a. There is a $75. per team circuit initiation fee. To reserve your place in this years trail, send $75. (1 time) initiation fee per team to address listed below. This fee will be used to cover the costs of running a trail. Any excess at the end of the season will go into the championship fund. OPEN- There is no ini. fee (or points) if you want to fish the OPEN at West Branch on 5-10. Any ramp fees that may apply, the team is responsible. Only one alternate may be used per season. The fee to add an alt. is $10. Alt. may only fish the regular season qualifiers. An alt. may sign up at any qualifier. He may not fish by himself. No alternates will fish the championship.
4.a. A complete, legible entry form will include: names, address with zip from each contestant, contact person phone number, e-mail addresses, signatures of all contestants (inc. alternate if known).
b. Upon receiving entry form, you will be assigned a permanent team number which will be your point of reference for the entire season. Memorize this number. If pre-paid, you will draw for a flight (starting position) number at check-in. If not, you will be assigned one on a first come basis, beginning where pre-paid ends.
5. We will operate under an 80 point system. 80 to win, 79 for 2nd, etc. All teams will receive 20 points for participation in a qualifying event unless fish placement goes below 20. Fish placement is determined by total weight of fish minus any deductions or penalties. The points from each qualifier are added together to determine the championship field and AOY. This field will be 50% of average field by points, plus any team who fished all 6 qualifiers. A team may pay for 1 event per season to remain championship eligible in the event of any unforseen conflicts or emergencies. There will be a cap of 100 memberships for 2007. In the event that there are openings at any qualifier, teams can sign up on a stand by first come basis not to exceed 100, starting at end of registration. Teams must pay all fees including initiation, event and late fees. This does not guarantee future participation.
6. All contestants must wear a coast guard approved vest or jacket while the boat is on plane. Tournament boats must have all safety equipment as required by the state of Ohio. Boats must have a working livewell and a kill switch and should be attached to the drivers vest. Motor size may not exceed coast guard rating plate on boat. Operation and safety are the boat owners responsibility.
7. A team limit of fish will be 6 bass at qualifiers, (Lg; Smallmouth& Spotted) 12”or larger unless state regulations require otherwise. Bass will be measured mouth closed, tail pointed. A courtesy measurement (1) will be allowed at the weigh in if asked for in advance. A 1lb penalty for any short fish. A 1/4lb (.25) penalty will be assessed for any dead bass. If checks are involved, ties broken by the number of fish then by flip of coin. Contestants may decide to split. Any rules or specifications not covered here will revert back to State laws.
8. No live bait or trolling. Drifting and pork baits permitted. Only 1 rod at a time may be used. No alcoholic beverages permitted during tournament hours. A 50 yd. courtesy rule is suggested. Please be courteous and use sportsman-like conduct at all times, especially to those not associated with our trail. Just because you’re in a tournament, doesn’t give you any rights over anybody and this will not be tolerated. (8b) The tournament director, or assistant, reserves the right to refuse any entry for any reason, specific or not.
9. There are no official off-limits for any qualifier or the championship.
10. Check-in and late registration will begin 2 hour prior to scheduled start time. Flight numbers will be drawn at check-in. This will determine your starting position only. Permanent team numbers will be used for both check-ins (am+pm), and the weigh-in.
11. All teams must be registered 20 min. before the starting time. At that time, any stand-by teams will be plugged into any unpaid slots. There will be a pre-tournament meeting 5 min. before start time. Have your boats launched and ready to go by this meeting. We won’t wait if you’re late. Details for that day will be covered at meeting. At the conclusion of the tournament, you will be required to check in with the official check-in person. There is no grace period, unless you stop to help another contestant (10 min.+must bring 1 person and his fish). You will need to give your permanent team number and the number of fish you will weigh, including any courtesy fish. No fish should be culled at the weigh-in site. You may use your own weigh bags (suggested). Special bags may be required at times and will be provided if used.
12. Should a protest arise, it must be submitted in writing to tournament director before conclusion of weigh in. See director for form. Director, his agents, or tournament committee will decide outcome. Should a poly-graph be required, accusing party must assume financial responsibility for the test. If accused party fails,
they now are responsible for test expenses.
NOTE: Only 1 entry form is required for the entire season. Entry form must be complete. *On the check memo, please indicate which tourney(s) the funds are to be applied to and your permanent number. All participants must sign the entry form and agree with the waiver.
You may call Craig Addis with registration (money) questions only at (330) 882-2135 before 10pm.
Good luck and good fishing!
Postmarked By- Pre-Entry Deadlines
(1) Portage 1- mail by: April 14
(2) W. Branch - mail by: May 12
(3) Mosquito 1 - mail by: June 2
(4) Berlin - mail by: July 7
(5) Mosquito 2- mail by: Aug. 18
(6) Portage 2 - mail by: Sept. 8
Mail entries to: Craig Addis - LTT
2505 W. Nimisila Rd
Clinton, OH 44216
*Make checks payable to: L.T.T.
