Mountain State Kayak Anglers Rules

Each Mountain State Kayak Anglers (“MSKA”) Challenge, Tournament, or other event (referred to herein

as “Competition”) is conducted according to Competition Rules found in two documents:

⦁ MSKA Competition Rules Standards (stipulated below) cover about 85% of the Rules.

⦁ MSKA Competition Rules Addendum deal with the remaining 15% of the rules and cover event-

specific details such as dates, locations, times, fishable waters, and local restrictions. They may be found

on each Competition Event page on this Website.

Together, these two documents comprise the MSKA Competition Rules for each Competition. For each

Competition, the Tournament Director has responsibility for interpretation and enforcement of the

Competition Rules and may amplify or clarify them to make them more relevant or complete. MSKA

management will review the TD’s action and, if appropriate, incorporate the revisions in the MSKA

Competition Rules Standards or Addenda. Notifications of Competition Rules changes will be posted on

the Mountain State Kayak Anglers web page (www.MSKAWV.com) and on the Mountain State Kayak

Anglers Facebook page.

1. Participation and Eligibility

A. By registering for any MSKA Competition, the participating angler (“Competitor”) agrees to fully and

completely comply with (a.) all MSKA Rules specified in (a.) these MSKA Competition Rules Standards,

and (b.) the MSKA Competition Rules Addenda.

B. Active Membership in MSKA is not a prerequisite for participation in MSKA Tournament

Trail Tournaments. Membership in MSKA is a prerequisite for MSKA Online Challenges, MSKA

Championship, MSKA Angler of the Year Competition, and to be eligible for door prizes.

C. TourneyX Registration — All MSKA Competitions are conducted using TourneyX. Each angler who

wishes to participate in such an event must sign up as a TourneyX user before the competition begins.

D. Entry Fees — Entry fee amounts, registration deadlines, late fees, and refund or transfer restrictions

are specified in the MSKA Competition Rules Addendum for each Competition. Non-members pay a $10

guest fee at each event.

E. Pre-Tournament Check-in — Each angler is responsible for reviewing the schedule of events in

each MSKA Competition Rules Addendum for event check-in times and location. Each Competitor must

check in with official MSKA Competition staff at the time and place designated in the schedule of events

for verification of eligibility, signing of waivers, and rules acknowledgement. Late check-in and

registration process (if permitted), event-specific instructions, and event schedule are specified in

the MSKA Competition Rules Addendum.

F. Captains Meeting Attendance — Official MSKA/TourneyX identifiers for meet-up Competitions are

distributed at a Captains Meeting on the evening before the Competition Day. Competitors unable to

attend the Captains Meeting must pick one up at the Late Arrival/Check-in the morning of the event.

Specific details for each event are found in the MSKA Competition Rules Addendum.

2. Tournament Format — The Competition dates and hours and the number of fish scored are identified

in each Event’s MSKA Competition Rules Addendum. MSKA tournaments are conducted in either one-

or two-day formats. In two-day tournaments, the number of fish scored each day is specified in the

Addendum, and each Competitor’s final score is the aggregate score from both days.

3. Eligible Species — Only “black bass” are eligible for scoring. That designation includes (Largemouth

Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted or Kentucky Bass, and Rock Bass or Red Eye).

4. Competition Period

A. Competition start and end dates and times are stated in the MSKA Competition Rules Addendum for

each event. No Competitor may begin fishing before the official Competition Start Time on any day of

competition or submit fish photographed after the official Competition End Time.

B. Early Check-in — Competitors who could not or did not upload their photo submissions to TourneyX

must be in Judges Check-in line at Tournament HQ by the time required in the MSKA Competition Rules

Addendum to turn in their digital media (i.e., memory card), camera, or camera phone with USB cable in

order for judges or tournament staff to download them to a computer and then manually upload them

to TourneyX for subsequent evaluation and scoring.

C. Emergency Competition Termination — In the event of emergencies, such as weather conditions that

pose an imminent threat to Competitors, the Tournament Director may terminate Competition before

the scheduled Competition End Time. An Early Termination Announcement with an Adjusted End Time

will be broadcast to Competitors via Email and Group Text Messaging and will also be posted on the

TourneyX site and media sites, The Announcement will specify a report-in time and location. If safe to do

so, upon receiving the Announcement, Competitors should make their way to the specified location at

the time identified.

5. Pre-fishing —There are no restrictions regarding areas, type of watercraft, or types of bait used in pre-

fishing; however, if fish caught during pre-fishing are submitted for other Competitions (e.g., MSKA

Online Challenges), Competitors must comply with those rules.

6. Competition Area

A. Competitive fishing is allowed only on public waters within the geographic area designated by the

MSKA Competition Rules Addendum as “Eligible Waters.”

B. Competitors may launch from any public-access shore. Crossing private property to reach public

water is not permitted.

C. Wade fishing is permitted provided the Competitor uses his kayak to access the fishing location. Bass

caught while wading or walking the shoreline ARE eligible for submission; however, each Competitor

must be within sight of his kayak while fishing, and the kayak must appear in every bass photo

submitted. Competitors may depart the boat to catch and land fish or to make the boat more accessible

to fishing waters.

7. All bass must be caught live using only equipment and legal methods that comply with all sportfishing

statutes and regulations of the states and body of water. Snatching or snagging fish is not permitted.

8. Fishing Tackle and Equipment

A. All bass must be caught on rod, reel, line and hook with artificial lures only. No Live Bait.

B. Each Competitor must have a Hawg Trough, the only acceptable measuring device.

C. Each competitor must have a mobile phone with camera or a digital camera with memory card and/or

download cable to submit digital photographs.

D. Nets and grippers may be used for landing bass during tournament competition, but grippers must

not remain attached to the fish in photos.

E. Only ONE rod and reel may be in use at any one time. A hung lure that is not in or on the water is not

considered in use and may be set aside while another is in use. Other rigs as specified above may be in

boat ready for use; however, only ONE is permitted in use at any given time.

G. Competitors are allowed to share baits and tackle.

9. Watercraft & Propulsion

A. Only bass caught from kayaks or other acceptable watercraft are eligible for scoring. Acceptable

watercraft is defined as any watercraft defined by the manufacturer as a kayak and sold as a kayak.

B. Mountain State Kayak Anglers must approve in advance any other craft, paddled or otherwise

propelled. No gasoline-powered boats, sailboats, jon boats, float tube, pontoon boat, or similar craft will

be permitted. For questionable craft that may not qualify, contact Mountain State Kayak Anglers in

advance for eligibility determination.

C. Trolling is permitted as long as the Competitor adheres to the one-rod rule (8.A, above).

D. The use of motherships (i.e., transport or assistance from a powerboat in moving locations) is NOT

permitted. Assistance from powerboats is permitted only in emergencies, as when pulling a kayak from

a danger zone or restricted area. Fishing may resume following emergency assistance only if no

appreciable relocation occurred.

E. Absolutely No Motors of any kind!!!

10. Photo Standards

A. Photo must be clear enough to read identifier and judge the length accurately.

B. Official MSKA identifier placed where it is clearly visible.

C. Competitor’s kayak clearly visible. see Bass, as depicted below:

i. Facing left on a Hawg Trough, left side of the fish visible, dorsal fin toward the top of the photo

ii. Mouth completely closed with jaw and/or lips touching the Hawg Trough “fence.” Position camera

lens directly over the center of the bass’ body to aid judges in determining that bass’ mouth is closed

and in contact with the fence. Photos judged to have been taken deliberately at an angle in order to

make the fish appear longer may be disqualified at the Tournament Director’s discretion.

iii. Tail must be centered.

iv. To confirm that the fish is alive, the bass’ eye must be uncovered in the photo.

11. Scoring

A. Judges will evaluate each photograph to ensure that (a) the digital file was created within the official

Competition Start and End Times and that (b) it complies with Photo Criteria outlined in Rule 6, above.

B. Tournament standings, contingency awards and final winners shall be determined by the aggregate

length of each Competitor’s catch during the tournament competition day(s).

C. Unless otherwise stipulated in the MSKA Competition Rules Addendum, in one-day tournaments the

scores of the three longest bass will be combined to determine the aggregate score.

D. Unless otherwise stipulated in the MSKA Competition Rules Addendum, in two-day tournaments, the

scores of the three longest bass of Day 1 and the three longest bass on Day 2 will be combined to

determine the aggregate score.

E. Exceptions to these daily creels will be stipulated

F. Bass length is determined by its tail touching or crossing a quarter-inch line on the Hawg Trough. If it

falls short of a line, the length is rounded down to the nearest 1/4-inch mark that the bass’ tail actually

touches or crosses.

G. In the event of an exact tie in aggregate score, ties will be broken according to the Competitors’

highest single-bass score. If both Competitors’ highest single-bass score, too, is identical, then the

second highest single-bass score of both Competitors will be compared, and so on until the tie is broken

by the highest single-bass score. If all single fish scores are the same then the time that the

competitors’ fish photos were officially entered into TourneyX for scoring or were checked in by the

judges will break the tie.

12. Awarding of Prizes

A. Prizes and payouts are subject to change based on participation sponsorship commitments

B. Prizes that require processing (e.g. kayaks, paddles, propulsion units) may require additional

processing or delivery time.

D. All Cash payouts will be made the day of the tournament at the awards ceremony.

13. Penalties

A. A minimum 1/2-inch deduction will be enforced for a photograph of a bass with its mouth open.

Maximum deduction shall be at the judges’ discretion, up to and including disqualification of the entry.

B. In the event of a rule violation, the Tournament Director MSKA management may impose such

penalties as deemed appropriate by them, including without limitation, disqualification, forfeiture of

entry fee and prizes, and prohibition from participation in subsequent MSKA tournaments. Subject to

the appeal process set forth below, the Tournament Director’s decisions on violations are final.

C. Penalties for rules violations may include the following:

i. Reduction of score (length) as determined by the Tournament Director

ii. Disqualification from the tournament in question

iii. Disqualification from future MSKA events, which may be from a specific number of events, a specific

period of time, or may be a lifetime ban or disqualification.

iv. Any different or additional penalties determined by the Tournament Director including but not

limited to monetary fines and/or reduction of Competitor of Year points.

F. Each Competitor agrees to report to the Tournament Director immediately any violation or infraction

of any tournament rules. Failure to report violations, or suggestions to another Competitor that they

violate these rules, or false verification of weigh-in forms, may be cause for disqualification.

14. Taxes —Competitors are responsible for all applicable taxes on both cash and merchandise awards.

Additional information may be required upon winning for prize verification.

15. Sale of Prizes — No prizes won participating in MSKA Events may be sold on MSKA forums or any

affiliate Website, Facebook page, or event page for a period of one full year.Violation of this rule will

result in ineligibility for all future events and forfeiture of qualification status.

16. Disputes and Appeals

A. Any Competitor who wishes to dispute or protest a rules violation penalty, a judge’s scoring decision,

or other action that materially affected the Competitor’s ranking or prize eligibility must file a protest

with the Tournament Director in writing or via email within 24 hours from the time and date of the

protested action. Only Competitors in the Tournament where the protested action occurred may lodge

protests. Protests must be handled privately. All parties of interest will be provided a copy. The MSKA

officers will review all information and make a final decision.

17. Safety

A. During pre-practice and competition, every Competitor must have all required Coast Guard safety

equipment, (e.g., light source, whistle or other audible signal device, Coast Guard-approved [PFD]). See

http:// www.uscgboating.org/. No waist PFDs!

B. Competitors must wear their PFD at all times while on the water during the hours of competition.

C. The Tournament Director has the right to postpone or cancel the start of an official tournament day

because of bad weather or other factors that would endanger the safety of the Competitors.

Tournament waters may also be restricted at any time because of bad weather. As stated in Rule 4.D.,

the Tournament Director has the discretion to terminate Competition early due to hazardous weather

conditions.

D. In the event of an emergency situation, Competitors should call 911 first and then notify tournament

officials as soon as possible.

E. Use of alcohol or drugs (other than those purchased over-the-counter or prescribed by a licensed

physician) by any Competitor, during the tournament, will not be tolerated and will be cause for

automatic disqualification. No alcoholic beverages or other non-prescription stimulants or depressants

shall be allowed in kayaks during the official practice or competition days.

18. Competitor Conduct — Competitors participating in any MSKA sanctioned event must observe the

applicable rules for the specific event in which they are participating and must conduct themselves at all

times in a manner that reflects favorably on the sport of Mountain State Kayak Anglers, MSKA, its

members, officers or representatives, tournaments or sponsors. Competitors are expected to follow

high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy, integrity, safety and conservation. Any Competitor who

violates these principles or behaves in ways the reflect unfavorably up MSKA face suspension from

future MSKA sanctioned events, be permanently banned from competition, or any combination thereof

deemed appropriate by MSKA.

19. Public Comments

A. The favorable public reputation of MSKA as a sanctioning organization, the integrity of its officials,

and the reputation of its media channels are valuable assets and tangible benefits for MSKA.

Accordingly, it is an obligation of Competitors to refrain from comments in public forums and social

media or to the news media that unreasonably attack or disparage the integrity of Mountain State Kayak

Anglers.

20. Waivers and Releases

A. Name and Likeness Release — By registering for Mountain State Kayak Anglers Events, the

Competitor grants to Mountain State Kayak Anglers the right to use all photographs, likenesses, stories,

accounts, details of Competitor contributions, exploits, interviews, and information pertinent to the

Mountain State Kayak Anglers Event, as well as any video footage, photographs gathered at the Event,

for marketing and promotional purposes. This release is granted without expectation for additional

compensation upon submission of Event Registration.

B. Waiver and Release of Liability — As a condition of participation in a Competition, and by virtue of

registering for the Competition, each Competitor agrees to accept the terms and condition of

the Mountain State Kayak Anglers Waiver and Release of Liability Agreement.. This Agreement absolves

Mountain State Kayak Anglers, its officers, staff, and volunteers from responsibility and threat of

litigation in the case of injury, loss, or death sustained by a Competitor in the Event. Registrants under

the age of 18 must have their waiver/release form signed by the parent or adult guardian who will

accompany them throughout competition. A printed copy of the Mountain State Kayak Anglers Waiver

and Release Form (below) is available at the Event HQ Check-in Table and must be signed and on file

with Mountain State Kayak Anglers before a registrant is eligible to compete.