2014 Oswego Pro Am Rules
June 10, 2014 at 12:59pm
OFFICIAL RULES

1. Captains Meeting: There will be a MANDATORY meeting for the Captain or One team member from each team plus all Pro Observers ONLY, conducted the friday evening before the event. The meeting will be at 6pm behind the Quality Inn in Oswego under the tent. No Captain or team member is allowed on the water (Lake Ontario or its tributaries) from 1/2 hour after sunset on the Friday before the tournament until the tournament is completed with the exception of the tournament itself.

2. Competition Parameters: The tournamentís intent is to fish two days. Hours of competition are defined in Table A and shall apply to each day of each event unless altered by the tournament committee for inclement weather.
- Once the decision to start the days fishing has been made each Pro division Captain is responsible for making the choice to continue to fish or not due to weather conditions.
- Am. teams maybe called off the water due to weather conditions. No day will start with a small craft advisory in effect.
- Teams should be prepared to adjust their schedules to allow for fishing up to 6PM on the first day; 4 PM on the second day if weather conditions cause a delay in starting the event.
- NOTE: There will be no refunds. In the event that the entire tournament is cancelled due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances all entry fees will be put in escrow and applied to the following year.

PRO DIVISION

Turn in Disclaimers: 5:00 AM

Leave the Dock: 5:30 AM

All Pro boats can line up outside the lighthouse(Oswego) & outside the pierhead(Lil Salmon river)
Boats must stay within a reasonable distance of these points, awaiting 6am start.

SHOTGUN START: 6:00 AM

Begin Fishing: 6:00 AM

Due to using 2 Ports. Shotgun start will be a radio announcement on the VHF. If you do not hear this
You can use reasonable measures, watch, time on GPS unit, rest of field moving etc.

Stop fishing at 2pm. Any fish already hooked before 2pm maybe landed as part of your days catch. Any fish hooked at 2pm or later must be released.
Must be in weigh-in line at 3:30 PM behind Quality Inn, Oswego or you will be disqualified for the day.

AMATEUR DIVISION

Turn in Disclaimers: 5:00 AM

Leave the Dock: 5:30 AM

All Amateur boats can line up by (Lighthouse-Oswego) and (Just inside or outside pierhead lil Salmon river) Boats must stay within a reasonable distance of these points until 5:50am start.

Shotgun Start: 5:50 AM

Begin Fishing: 6:00 AM

Due to using two ports. Shotgun start will be a radio announcement on the VHF radio. If you do not hear the announcement, you can use reasonable methods (watch, time on your GPS, rest of field moving, etc)

Stop fishing at 1:30 PM. Any fish hooked up before 1:30 maybe landed as part of your catch. Any fish hooked at 1:30 or later must be released.
Must be in Weigh-in line at 3:00 PM behind Quality Inn, Oswego or you will be disqualified for the day

Weigh in line opens at noon!

Leave starting point (Lighthouse-Oswego) (Just inside or outside pierhead lil Salmon river) 5:50 AM
BEGIN FISHING 6 AM
Stop fishing at 1:30 PM. Any fish hooked up before 1:30 maybe landed as part of your catch. Any fish hooked at 1:30 or later must be released.
Must be in Weigh-in line at 3:00 PM behind Quality Inn, Oswego or you will be disqualified for the day
Weigh in line opens at noon!

3 Tournament Limits:
- Teams must enter and exit from assigned port ONLY.
- Tournament fishing is limited to US waters ONLY.
- Fishing in tributaries is prohibited. For the purpose of the tournament the Oswego River will be considered a tributary.
It is the responsibility of the team to remain within the tournament boundaries. Straying outside of the tournament boundaries at any time for any reason is prohibited.

4 Team Structure: Teams are not limited to a maximum number of anglers in either the Pro or Am Divisions. In the Pro Division the allowable maximum number of rods will be 8. In other words, you can have as many anglers on a team as you want but may only run a maximum of 8 rods. You may not run more rods than is allowed by law up to a maximum of 8. In the Am Division the maximum allowable number of rods will be 6. The Am division may not run more rods than is allowed by law up to a maximum of 6. Team Captains are responsible for insuring that the appropriate number of NYS fishing licenses are present on the boat to accommodate Tournament fish and rod limits.

5 Observers: Every competing PRO team is required to provide an observer 18 years of age or older. Amateur teams will not have Observers but may be subject to a lie detector test at the conclusion of the tournament. Observers are required to attend the Meeting the evening before the event. Observers will be exchanged between teams on a random basis. Observers must be on their assigned boats no later than 5 AM.
- Observers may not operate boats or assist the team in any way.
- Observers must log in each fish caught on the Score Sheet provided. Items to be recorded are species, time of catch, and estimated weight. Team Leaders MUST make certain the observer fills in all required fields correctly for each fish kept, then initial corresponding field. A sample will be provided with each score sheet to ensure accuracy.
- GPS coordinates are not required. But would be strongly recommended if fishing near a border area.
- Observer score sheets must be signed by the team leader and the observer immediately upon completion of the fishing day. Signatures must appear on the next available entry space (i.e. if the last fish recorded was #12 the signatures must appear on line #13).
- All observers must remain at the Weigh in site until released by the Tournament Director.
- Observers must remain with the team cooler at all times until it has been received by the weigh master.

6 Boat Size and Identification: Boat size will be limited to a minimum length of 18 feet. Each team will be issued a pennant which must be affixed to the boats antenna.

7 Radio Use and Comm. Restriction: All participating boats must be equipped with an operational VHF radio and GPS unit.
- Closed communication will be in effect throughout the tournament including observers. This means no texting, talking, or any type of online activity with any communication device or directly communicating with another boat (regardless if that boat is in the tournament or not) in anyway once the shotgun start has taken place. No communication whatsoever is allowed with a boat fishing on lake Ontario after 4:45am to 4pm either tournament day.
- All phones should be turned off and in the bag provided by 5:30 AM(only use from 5am to 5:30 is to track down an observer or team member)
- Make sure your team & Observer understands the rules!!
- All boats should have their radios on channel 16 only. Tournament control will monitor Channel 16 and all boats will be directed to Channel 9 for announcements. No other channels may be used or monitored during the event.

Start and End Times: Observers must be on their assigned boats no later than 5 AM. Teams who fail to have their observers at the assigned boat by 5 AM will be required to forfeit a team member to fill in as observer no later than 5:15 AM.
- Pro and Amateur teams will be allowed to leave the dock at 5:30 am ONLY after turning in their signed disclaimer forms to the tournament committee at the designated point announced at the Captainís meeting.
- The designated starting point for the tournament (Pro Boats) will be a Shotgun start outside the harbor with all boats with-in º mile of the lighthouse or the mouth of the Little Salmon River depending on which port you leave from. GPS numbers will be taken by the observer at the time of the shotgun start.
- Amateur boats may leave dock at 5:30. Can leave starting points(Oswego light) (lil Salmon river pierhead) at 5:50.
- All electronics may be used prior to start fishing time including temp probes. Nothing used to attract, hook or land a fish may be placed in the water before the Shotgun start.
- Fishing will commence at 6 AM for both Pro and Amateur teams. In the event of inclement weather an announcement will be made at 5:15 AM and contestants will be directed accordingly.
- Pro boats must be in the designated weigh-in line by 3:30 pm with their coolers and observers.
- Am boats must be in the weigh-in line by 3:00 pm with their coolers.
- Failure to be in line by the deadline will result in disqualification for that day.

9 Weigh-in:
- At least one Pro team member and the assigned observer must remain with the days catch until surrendered to the Weigh-in committee.
- At least 2 Amateur team members must remain with the days catch until surrendered to the Weigh-in committee.

10 Coolers:
- All coolers must be marked with the team name and number.
- All coolers will be considered sealed at the end of the dayís fishing and handling of fish by anyone other than a tournament official is prohibited. Coolers must arrive at the Pre-Check Station free of loose ice or water. The tournament committee strongly suggests using block ice and opening the drain plug on the cooler prior to pre-check. Failure to abide by these rules will result in self-induced removal to the back of the pre-check line for correction.

11 Scoring:
Pro Division
- Tournament limit shall be 12 fish (salmon, steelhead, or trout) of which only 1 can be a lake trout. And only 1 Atlantic salmon per person with a maximum of 4.
- The first legal limit of twelve fish brought on board must be kept.
Amateur Division
- Tournament limit shall be 9 fish (salmon, steelhead, or trout) of which only 1 can be a lake trout. And 1 Atlantic salmon per person with a maximum of 3.
- The first legal limit of nine fish brought on board must be kept.

12 NYS AND TOURNAMENT LEGAL FISH DEFINITIONS:

Steelhead - NYS legal length is 21 inches. Captains are allowed the discretion to release Steelhead up to but not exceeding 22 inches. Any Steelhead over 22 inches must be kept. Weighing in a Steelhead less than 21 inches will result in a disqualification for the day. Teams are also responsible for any DEC laws they have violated. It is highly recommended and will be stressed at the Captains meeting that you don't bring in an under size fish. If it's close to 21" use discretion!!!

Atlantic Salmon- NYS legal length is 25 inches. Captains are allowed the discretion to release Atlanticís up to but not exceeding 26". Any Atlantic over 26 inches must be kept unless it would put you over your tournament limit for the day. Weighing in an Atlantic less than 25 inches will result in a disqualification for the day. No teams score will ever be less than zero for a day. Teams are also responsible for any DEC laws they have violated.
It is highly recommended and will be stressed at the Captains meeting that you don't bring in an under size fish. If it's close to 25" use discretion!!!

All Other Trout And Salmon- Minimum length is 18 inches. Captains are allowed the discretion to release fish up to but not exceeding 19 inches. Any other trout or salmon over 19 inches must be kept unless it would put you over your tournament limit of fish or Lake Trout for the day. Weighing in a fish under 18" will result in a disqualification for the day. No teams score will ever be less than zero for a day. Teams are also responsible for any DEC laws they have violated.
It is highly recommended and will be stressed at the Captains meeting that you don't bring in an under size fish. If it's close to 18" use discretion!!!

HANDLING FISH:
- Teams must make every reasonable effort to immediately land every fish that is ìhooked-upî.
- All fish brought to the boat must be immediately landed by net and allowed to be viewed by the Observer. Landing fish by lifting them into the boat by hand, line, rod and reel or gaff is prohibited.
- Observers must be allowed to verify the exact length and species of all ìpotentialî undersized fish prior to releasing them.
- Any intentional act to cull fish such as, but not limited to, shaking off, over-aggressive reeling, breaking off, knocking off with the net, burning off or leaving a fish ìhangî (Example: Allowing a hooked fish to sit in a rod holder unattended intentionally) is prohibited.
- Any attempt to alter the length of a fish by breaking the spine or other form of mutilation is prohibited.
- Teams found in violation of these rules after a thorough investigation by Tournament officials will be disqualified.

HANDLING YOUR LIMIT FISH:
- If you have more than one fish on and the next landed fish constitutes your limit of fish (12), then it is the Captain's discretion to choose which fish they land first to complete their team limit (12). However, any intentional act such as, but not limited to, shaking off, over-aggressive reeling, breaking off, knocking off with net, or burning off a fish, etc. will subject the team to being disqualified.

- When your limit fish (12th) is netted, boated, determined to be Tournament legal and boxed, your team will be ìlimited-outî and must immediately release any additional fish at the boat, cease fishing and return to the harbor. No scouting, for example: no driving around looking for other boats or fish. It is acceptable If you are heading straight to port at a slow speed to conserve fuel.
- Teams found in violation of these rules after a thorough investigation by Tournament officials will be disqualified.

13. All Teams:
- Certified measuring boards will be used at the weigh in site. These boards will be present at the Captainís meeting for teams to compare their own measuring devices to. These boards will be the Official measuring boards of the tournament and will determine whether or not a fish is legal for the tournament.
- Each fish will score 10 points.
- One point will be scored per pound of fish weighed.
- All fish shall remain the property of the tournament until released to the teams.
- All fish may be tested for legality.
- Disposition of fish must be in compliance with state and local laws.

14. Protests, Rulings and Litigations:
- Any contestant or observer witnessing a violation of the rules is required to IMMEDIATELY report the alleged violation to a Tournament Official or Tournament Control.
- Any suspected violations will be turned over to the Competition Committee for review. This committee will report all information to the Tournament Director and the Director will attempt to facilitate a resolution of the issue before an Official Protest is filed. Any team or observer has the right to file an Official Protest by completing and signing the Official Protest Form provided by the tournament. A $100.00 (one hundred dollars) non-refundable protest fee (cash only) must accompany any filed protest form.
- This form must be presented to the Tournament Director within 30 minutes of the conclusion of the Directorís review of the case. Upon receiving an Official Protest the Tournament Director will present the team being protested with a Protest Resolution Form. Protested teams will be allowed 15 minutes to complete and return the form to the Tournament Director. Unresolved protests will be forwarded to the appropriate Law Enforcement Agency for investigation.
- The tournament scores of protested teams will not be considered official until a complete investigation is finalized. Any prizes won by a protested team will also be withheld until the investigation is complete.
- Failure of a protested team to complete and return the Protest Resolution Form within the designated time, or failure of a team to be present to address the protest will result in that teamís immediate disqualification.
- Failure of any team to cooperate fully with the Competition Committee or Tournament Director will result in immediate disqualification.
- All Amateur teams due to NO Observer, will be subject to a Lie Detector test if need arises due to a protest or other issue.
- ALL DECISIONS OF TOURNAMENT OFFICIALS WILL BE FINAL

15. Inspections: All teams must, at any time, allow Tournament Officials to board their boat for inspection. All tournament boats must be available for inspection for the duration of the event. Inspections shall include, but not be limited to, GPS units, fishing tackle and coolers. Failure to comply with an Officialís request for inspection will result in immediate disqualification.

16. Misconduct: Any inappropriate, improper or abusive conduct by any participant towards any Tournament Official, volunteer, observer or fellow participant shall be deemed a violation of the rules and may subject the violator to penalties or disqualification as determined by the Tournament Committee. Any person or team that has been disqualified by any tournament or derby for an overt act to deceive or defraud may be barred from entry into any future tournament. Any person or team disqualified from these tournaments for overt acts of fraud or misconduct will have their name passed on to other fishing competitions around the lake.

17. Liability: Every reasonable precaution will be taken by the Tournament Committee to protect persons and property during the contest. However, the Committee, its judges, sponsors, officers, directors or employees of the same will not be held responsible for the safety of persons or property participating in the tournament. All participants further understand and agree to hold harmless members of the aforementioned groups from any liability or claim of damages.
- All tournament boats should carry liability insurance.
- Each contestant and observer will be required to sign a liability disclaimer each morning before the tournament begins. The disclaimer may be turned in no earlier than 5:00 AM each day (unless altered by the tournament committee). Leaving the departure point without turning in the signed disclaimer form will result in disqualification. The drop off points will be announced at the Captainís meeting prior to the tournament.

18. Pro Division Definition: Any Captain or team member, excluding the observer, who is/was (or has been within the past 5 years) a licensed charter boat captain, fishing guide, or commercial fisherman, is required to enter the Pro Division. All others may enter the Amateur Division. Amateurs may enter the Pro Division.

NOTE: All entrants agree that their purchase of a registration in any of these events shall constitute an acknowledgement of these rules and they further acknowledge that they understand their obligations and responsibilities outlined within and they agree to abide by these rules and the decisions of the Tournament Officials.

NOTE: Violations of ANY of these rules Will result in disqualification for the day or the tournament

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