- ELIGIBILITY: Any person whose annual income is directly derived from being employed or engaged in the exploration, production and/or servicing of oil & gas wells. Spouses or dependents of an eligible participant may fish only with that participant. Anyone who has served as a professional guide on Sam Rayburn during the year 2008 is not eligible to compete. Participants must have a valid TEXAS fishing license.
- SPORTSMANSHIP: Any contestant displaying poor sportsmanship, violates any local, state or federal laws and the rules of this tournament will be subject to disqualification. Teams are not permitted to approach nearer than 50 yards from any anchored or tied tournament boat, without that boats permission.
- SAFETY: Each participant is required to wear a U.S. Coast guard approved life vest. The use of engine kill switch is recommended by the tournament. Sportsmanship, courtesy, safety and conservation will be expected from each participant.
- TEAMS: There must be two (2) registered contestants in the boat at all times. You will not be allowed to fish without an eligible partner. There shall be no use of guides in any manner during the tournament dates. Contestants may not have derived income as a guide or offered guide services between October 12, 2008 and October 8, 2009. Each contestant must have a valid TEXAS fishing license.
- TACKLE: Only artificial lures may be used with the exception of pork type baits, rinds or artificial scents. No live or prepared bait is permitted.
- SCORING: Scoring is based on the total weight of five (5) fish per team, per day. Only largemouth, smallmouth and Kentucky spotted bass will be weighed in. Length is a minimum of fourteen (14) inches measured on a flat board with the tail compressed. Any fish presented for weighing that is less than (14) inches will be disqualified and one (1) pound per undersized fish will be deducted as a penalty. No more than five (5) fish may be kept in a team’s possession at all times, except for culling the sixth fish. If more than five (5) fish are kept in a team’s possession at any time during tournament hours, that team shall be disqualified for that day and will receive no weight. It is your responsibility to keep fish alive. A bonus of .10 pound will be awarded for each live fish weighed in. Determination of whether a fish is alive or dead will be made by the weigh master.
- LAUNCH SITE: Contestants will be allowed to trailer and launch from any ramp on Sam Rayburn. Fishing is allowed only during tournament hours and weigh-in times must be observed.
- TIES: In case of a tie for any place, the winnings will be combined and split equally.
- BOATS: Boats must be fourteen (14) feet or longer. Changing of boats during tournament hours will not be permitted.
- PROTESTS: All protests must be submitted in writing to an Director within thirty (30) minutes following weigh-in. All decisions rendered by the board will be final.
Eligibility
Any person whose annual income is derived from being directly employed or engaged in the exploration, drilling, production and/or servicing of oil and gas wells. (Any person now retired and/or retired in the past ten(10) years who was actively engaged in the exploration, drilling, production and/or servicing of oil and gas well, will be eligible to participate in this tournament.) Spouses or dependent children of an eligible participant will be allowed only with that participant. A dependent child is a child who is living at home and is in school and does not carry a full-time job. The rules and registration committee reserves the right to refuse and entry application; the decision of the committee shall be final. Applicant may be required to furnish the committee with proof of eligibility.