2009 JERSEY COAST FLUKE TOURNAMENT

Tentative Rules & Regulations

(As of May 22, 2009)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Tournament Date: Saturday, June 13th, 2009 (Rain or Shine)

Fishing Hours: Dawn until 5 P.M. To be eligible all fluke must be weighed in at one of the 9 official weigh stations (that you previously selected) starting from 12 noon, but not later than 5 P.M. and must be accompanied by your official weigh slip affidavit with entry number.

Fishing Location: Fish all ocean, bay and river waters stretching from Raritan Bay and Hudson Harbor in the north to Delaware Bay in the south.

Awards Presentation & Celebration: Friday, June 19th, 2009 at Trump Marina Hotel Casino in Atlantic City, NJ. (See details)

Weigh Slip (Affidavit): Official weigh slip affidavit is included in this packet or will be handed out upon late sign-up at participating weigh stations the day before the tournament. If you have lost your affidavit tell the weighmaster your name. You will be on the port list, but you may encounter a delay in processing.

GENERAL RULES AND PROVISIONS:

• The tournament will be held rain or shine.  It is the sole responsibility of the registrant/captain of all entered boats to determine if weather and sea conditions are safe to fish.  The Jersey Coast Anglers Association, its officers and tournament sponsors assume no responsibility or liability for any boats entered or individuals participating in the tournament. There will be a $20.00 processing fee for just cause cancellations.
   
• If weather conditions prohibit any or all boats from fishing and, as a result, an insufficient number of fish are weighed in to account for any or all of the “Port” prizes, any prizes unaccounted for will be awarded by drawing at the Awards Ceremony.
   
• All participants will have requested and will be assigned a specific port from which to compete. Therefore, all participants must present their fish for weigh-in at the port designated on their official weigh-in slip. Weighmasters will not weigh fish from participants who do not appear on that port’s official entry list.
   
• Participants must present their official weigh slip affidavit with registration number to the weigh master along with fish to be weighed between the hours of 12 noon and 5 P.M. to be eligible to win “Port” prizes. The scales close promptly at 5 P.M.
   
• After weighing each fish, the weigh master may mark it by cutting a V-notch in the tail fin. Fluke presented for weigh-in with a freshly cut V-notch in the tail will be denied entry. Once a fish weighed you can not weigh another fish in at a later time. All fish must be caught during the hours of the tournament by means of hook and line and be presented as fresh, not frozen.
   
• All fluke presented to the weigh master will be recorded in pounds and tenths of pounds and measured for length to the nearest 1/8 of an inch. The time the fish are presented for weigh-in will be recorded in hours and minutes. The weigh master will also record the name and hometown of the individual from your team, who caught the fish weighed for press release on that port log. Your affidavit will also be annotated and signed by the weigh master and will be the document used to resolve any disputes. Keep the document, as it is required for your registration and entry at the award ceremony.
   
• If two fish tie by weight for any of the “Port” prizes, the longer fish will be declared the winner. If the two fish are the same weight and length, the fish presented for weigh-in at the earliest time will be declared the winner.
   
• The decision of the weighmaster is final. If there is an unresolved dispute JCAA will make a final binding decision.
   

GENERAL RELEASE

The tournament will be held rain or shine. It is the sole responsibility of the captain of all entered boats to determine if weather and sea conditions are safe to fish. Participants expressly and unconditionally agree as a condition to the acceptance of their application that JCAA and its administrators, officers, and agents are not liable for any claims, suits, or obligations arising out of or resulting from participation in this event as a result of negligent or intentional conduct by JCAA or its sponsors. Participant agrees to indemnify and hold JCAA harmless for all claims and costs, including reasonable attorney fees, arising out of his or her conduct resulting from participation in the tournament. Specifically by entering the tournament you understand that in conjunction with engaging in the JCAA Tournament, you could experience certain hazards and be involved in certain risks. You further recognize that it would be impractical as well as unfair for the JCAA, its officers, directors and committee members and/or any and all other persons or boat owners and their crew directly or indirectly involved in or connected with the Tournament to be liable or responsible in any way for my safety. You hereby release, hold harmless and forever discharge the Tournament and its officers, directors, committee members, and tournament sponsors from any liability and/or libel, slander, loss, damage, harm, injury or death suffered by me or which may occur during the Tournament. You understand this includes any claims based upon any negligent act or omission. You understand that you enter the Tournament at your own risk and hereby assume all risks, which may be involved in participating in the Tournament, particularly hazards due to weather conditions, and you fully understand that any time during your participation you may elect not to participate when you think weather or any other hazards are too great. You, by entering this tournament, do hereby agree to the terms and conditions of this General Release and agree to abide by the rules and regulations prescribed for competition in JCAA 2009 Fluke Tournament. Prizes are awarded to the registrant. It is his or her responsibility to allocate the prizes to the anglers on their crew if they so desire. Some prizes may not be appropriate for minors. Proper ID will be required for IRS 1099-MISC for prizes exceeding $600.00.

PRIZES

There are two prize categories in this tournament:

1:  “Port” Prizes*

Nine Ports - Nine Prize Packages (Prize ranking and port prizes may be adjusted.)

Contestants from each port will be awarded prizes based on the heaviest fish weighed from that port only. You compete for prizes for your port. The port prizes are:

Remember that you only compete against those boats registered in your port for these prizes. (Prize ranking may be adjusted.) You do not have to be present to win the port prizes. *Prize ranking and port prizes may be adjusted.

This event is actually nine mini-tournaments in one. “Port” prizes will be presented to the entered boats based on the ten heaviest fluke weighed from each port. Each boat entered may weigh only one fluke for “Port” prize contention. That boat may then win only one port prize in this category. Private boats, 6 pack charters and rental rowboats may have up to six persons on their teams, however the boat is only eligible for one port prize.

Participants who wish to fish on a party boat, surf or jetty are considered one-man teams. Each person weighing a fish must be registered.

Only boats registered for a port are eligible to win the prizes designated for that port.

“Port” prizes will be presented to the registered angler on the weigh-in affidavit. Port prize distribution to the anglers (up to six anglers per registration) fishing on board any boat is the responsibility of the registered angler on the affidavit. JCAA, its officers, and tournament sponsors assume no liability for “Port” prize distribution to individual anglers. Arrangements to pick up port prizes not awarded on June 19 can be made by calling the JCAA office. Port prizes will be held till July 16 2009 for pick up in Toms River after such time they will be considered donated to JCAA.

Only the registered angler or his/her representative is eligible for the Grand Prize and door prize drawings at Trump Marina Hotel Casino on June 19. However, the Grand Prize will go to the registered angler.

2:  Door Prizes  (Drawing at Trump Marina Hotel Casino, Grand Cayman ballroom June 19th, 2009)

Grand Prize - $10,000 Cash

Door Prizes - Rods and Reels, Marine Electronics, assorted tackle packages and much more!

The Grand Prize and all door prizes will be drawn at the Awards Presentation and Celebration at Trump Marina Hotel Casino. Remember, you do not have to catch a fish to be eligible for the Grand Prize or any door prizes. You only have to be registered. At least one member of your crew must be present for you to win the Grand Prize and door prizes. The Awards Presentation will take place in the third floor Grand Cayman ballroom beginning promptly at 8 P.M. June 19th. Minors must obey NJ casino rules and are not permitted on the casino floor. All entrants must register prior to the presentation. The registration booths will be outside the third floor Grand Cayman Ballroom and they will be open from 1 P.M. to 7:45 P.M. on June 19th.  You will receive a special three-part ticket for the Grand Prize & door prize drawings. Your official weigh-in affidavit must be presented to register and receive your tickets to the drawings.

Cash bars will be available.

Come early and bring your friends for casino fun! Trump Marina Hotel Casino encourages all crews and guests to enjoy the facilities at Trump Marina Hotel Casino.

“Port” prizes will be awarded during this ceremony. You do not have to be present to win your “port” prize, although a photo session will be scheduled with the winners for publication in area newspapers, our web site, and New Jersey Angler Magazine. We urge all port winners to attend. Prizes not picked up will be held in Toms River for 30 days.

Trump Marina Hotel Casino has set aside a block of rooms at special rates for tournament participants and welcomes you to stay overnight or for the weekend. Room availability is strictly “first come-first serve.” JCAA encourages you to enjoy Trump Marina Hotel Casino’s hospitality and participate in casino activities. The Trump Marina Hotel Casino rooms can be booked by calling the Reservation Department direct at 1-800-777-8477, option #3. Be sure to state you are with JCAA and group code FJCAA9. The cut-off date is May 19, 2009; so once again, it pays to be an early entrant!

PORTS