2014 RULES
1. Rules and Regulations: These guidelines, as set forth on this form must be
strictly followed by all members. It is each member’s responsibility to read and
fully understand these rules because members may be disqualified for
noncompliance and may be required to forfeit all prize money and entry fees if
they fail to comply with these rules and regulations. Each member agrees that
by paying membership dues, the decision of the club officer(s) will be final in all
respects.
2. Participation and Eligibility: Participation in HCWTA club tournaments is
limited to members that have paid HCWTA club dues of $30 and TABC dues of
$20. Guest and prospective members are allowed to fish twice before they are
required to pay club dues. We require a $10 fee on top of the guest entry fee
for club funds. Existing and/or returning members must pay dues prior to the
first tournament they intend to fish. Tournament entry fees are $40 and $10
optional big bass. If you wait until the day of the tournament to pay, there will
be a $5.00 fee.
3. Registration and Payouts: Entry fees must be paid prior to the day of the
tournament. Preferably at the meeting the week of the tournament or, on the
day before, or the morning of the tournament, at the lake. Prize money will be
paid to winners after purses have been calculated and checks have been signed.
4. Non-fishing guest: Anglers will be allowed to have a guest on board if the
guest is less than 15 yrs. old or over 15 and not fishing (if that individual is not
fishing the tournament).
5. Launching and trailering: Members may launch from any public or private
boat ramp on the tournament lake to which they have legal access. Trailering to
the weigh-in site is permitted if your live well system is adequate to maintain the
fish in a healthy condition.
6. Tackle and Trolling: Only one fishing rod may be used at any one time, and
each cast much be completed before another is made. Only artificial baits may
be used (pork rind trailers are the only exception). Trolling with the combustion
engine is not allowed.
7. Fish Lengths and Limits: Dead fish will be penalized .25 of a pound per dead
fish. Pale-gilled or iced fish will not be weighed. All tournaments will
follow lake regulation on length limits. Short fish will not be weighed and
disqualification will be considered.
8. Scoring for Top 8 Qualification: Scoring will be on a point system. First
place will receive 100 points, second place 99 points, and third 98, etc. Any one
member’s five best tournaments, out of the six fished during the fiscal year, will
be counted for overall standings. The top 8 members in the standings will qualify
for the TABC Top 8 Championship. Angler of the year will be calculated from the
six tournaments scheduled for the fiscal year.
9. Open Tournaments/Fundraisers: There will be one Open tournament
throughout the year. The members that qualify for the top 8 tournament
will be required to work the Open tournament to be compensated for the
expenses at the Top 8. If a member of the Top 8 team cannot work the open
tournament that person must make arrangements with the other members of the
Top 8 team. It will be left to the discretion of the Top 8 team, whether a person
should or should not be compensated if they choose not to support the Open
tournament.