By signing below, you agree and understand the rules set forth for the 2012 Tropic Bay Kayak Fishing Classics event and agree to the following Release of Liability. PLEASE READ BEFORE SIGNING:
In consideration of being allowed to participate in any way in the TBKFC fishing tournaments for the year 2011 the undersigned, acknowledge, appreciate and agree that:
1. The risk of injury from the activities involved in tournament fishing does exist, and
2. I knowingly and freely assume all such risks, both known and unknown and assume full responsibility for my participation and
3. I agree to comply with the terms and conditions of participation, and
4. I, for myself and on behalf of my heirs, personal representatives and next of kin, hereby release, indemnify and hold harmless and agree not to sue, the Tropic Bay Kayak Fishing Classics, Tropic Bay Guides Inc., its officers, officials, agents, and/or employees, sponsors and advertisers, and if applicable, owners and lesser of premises used to conduct the event.
I HAVE READ THIS RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK OF AGREEMENT AND THE RULES GOVERNING THESE
EVENTS, FULLY UNDERSTAND THERE TERMS, UNDERSTAND THAT I HAVE GIVEN UP SUBSTANTIAL RIGHTS BY SIGNING IT AND SIGN IT FREELY AND VOLUNTARILY WITHOUT ANY INDUCEMENT.  I further agree that by typing my name in the provided space of the electronic entry form constitutes your legal signature and is the same as you singing this agreement by hand.

1.PARTICIPATION AND ELIGIBILITY. Participation is open to anyone 18 years of age or older. Minors are eligible to participate with a parent or legal guardian signature on the release form. A completed entry form, waiver, and entry fee must be received no later than the published entry date. All minors must be accompanied by signing parent or legal guardian while fishing, at the weigh in and awards ceremony. The responsibility and safety for said minor is solely that of the signing parent or legal guardian. Parent and or legal guardian holds harmless Tropic Bay Inc Kayak Fishing ClassicS and their ownership, officers and employees.
2. REGISTRATION AND CAPTAINS MEETING. Registration will be open through the posted date. The Captain's Meeting is available online at the Kayak Fishing ClassicS website and must be viewed by contestants prior to each event. An entry fee of $40.00 will be due when registering Online in order to fish the event. All entry fees are NONTRANSFERABLE and NON-REFUNDABLE unless event is canceled.  Attendance at the Captain's Meeting Online is MANDATORY for all contestants. Uniform tokens will be sent to contestants by email by using contestant email address given on the Registration Form online. This is a Photo Release Tournament Series. All contestants must photograph their catch with the fish on their approved measuring stick with Tournament Token upon fish and clearly visible. Measuring tape must be divided in Tenth’s of an Inch. Your camera must have Date/Time Stamp technology and the Date/Time stamp must be clearly visible on photo of entered fish. You must present Tournament Judge your camera and photo must be on a removable photo storage card. No printed photo of fish will be allowed to be entered. Exact fishing times will be announced at the Captain’s Meeting by the Tournament Director.
3. SAFETY. Safe boating will be observed at all times. During competition each contestant is required to comply with all event host state laws and US Coast Guard regulations. In addition, participants are urged to wear a PFD at all times while competing in the event and be in possession of a sounding device. It is recommended that each participant have a cell phone on board for additional safety. All state of tournament boating laws/requirements must be followed and are the sole responsibility of the contestant & or legal guardian. Tournament day may be shortened or canceled due to unsafe weather or water conditions. The decision to shorten or to cancel will be left totally to the discretion of the Tournament Director. A 4-hour period shall constitute a day of fishing.
4. LAUNCH & CHECK IN. Launch Time is at First Safe Light or Sunrise unless otherwise stated and is at the Tournament Directors discretion. Check /Weigh In will be at the posted time and will be at Host Sponsor Location unless otherwise stated by TD.   All competitors must check in their cameras, token and measuring devices by the posted time for each event, to be eligible for fishing prizes & points.  At check in you must indicate whether or not you are submitting your camera for review and fill out a scoring sheet. The Award Ceremonies begin after weigh in. Times are specific to each tournament as posted.
5. SPORTSMANSHIP. Competitors in ALL Tropic Bay Kayak Fishing Classics (TBKFC)   events are expected to follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy, safety and conservation. Any infraction of these fundamental sporting principles may be deemed cause for disqualification. Maximum courtesy must be practiced at all times, especially with regard to boating and angling in the vicinity of non-competitors who may be on tournament waters. Any act of a competitor, which reflects unfavorably upon the TBKFC’s effort to promote fisheries conservation, clean waters, and courtesy and sportsmanship shall be reason for disqualification. Evidence of chemical substance addiction or abuse, conviction of a felony or other crimes involving moral turpitude or other conduct reflecting unfavorably upon the TBKFC’s efforts to promote safety, sportsmanship and compliance with tournament rules shall be grounds for rejecting any application for participation and for disqualification. Any act deemed by the Tournament Director that gives an angler an unfair advantage not specifically covered under this set of rules shall be grounds for disqualification. Any violation by an angler deemed intentional or preconceived by the Tournament Director to gain an unfair advantage, would be grounds for permanent disqualification.
6. ALCOHOL AND DRUGS. The consuming or transporting of any alcoholic beverages or drugs (other than prescription or OTC drugs) during official tournament hours, on any tournament angler's boat is prohibited. Violators of this rule will be disqualified from this and possibly all future tournaments.
7. PERMITTED FISHING METHODS. All fish must be caught alive in a conventional sporting manner.
Only Fly Fishing & Light Tackle, (Spin or Level wind reels)   fishing equipment is to be used during competition. Only Artificial Baits and Flies may be used during tournaments. Commercially sold pork trailers or scents may be used as so long as usage complies with State and Federal Laws. A cast must be fully retrieved before an angler may pick up another rod. A contestant angler may only have one bait in the water at a time. A foul hooked fish will not be scored. A foul hooked fish is defined as a fish that does not have at least one hook in its mouth, and it must be released. Anglers may not catch fish or weigh in fish that have been caged or confined in an area prior to the tournament. All fish must be caught from either the kayak (self-propelled water craft) or wade fishing (provided the kayak is tethered to the angler). During the hours of competition, contestants may not obtain or receive assistance, including but not limited to the following: a non-competitor’s boat, the placing of markers by a non-competitor, being towed by or riding on motorized vessels, or receiving electronic, voice or data communication from a non competitor, Except in the Case of Emergency.
8. TACKLE AND EQUIPMENT.  Spinning and Casting Rod outfits, Fly Rods & Reels may be used. Equipment must be considered to be ‘Light Tackle” and is at the discretion of the Tournament Director. Please present your equipment to the TD if you have any doubts.  Only ONE rod/reel at a time may be used by contestant. Be prepared to show your current fishing license, at registration, from the state in which the tournament is being held.
9. COMMUNICATIONS. The use of mobile communication devices such as cellular telephones, marine radios, walkie-talkies, CBs, pagers or any electronic device to communicate fishing information or contact with anyone, including family members, during tournament hours is strictly prohibited. Communication among anglers is allowed on the water only by non-electronic methods, Except in Case of Emergency.  Emergency calls may be made and then a tournament official should be contacted. You may call 911 for emergency.
10. NO MOTORS. The use of a boat or motorized water vehicle to transport your boat on the water is prohibited. All craft must be self-propelled - no motors are allowed (electric or combustion).Electric trolling motors may be use only during pre-fishing and may not be on kayak during tournament hours.
11. PERMITTED FISHING LOCATIONS. All fishing locations must be in waters accessible to the public at all times according to the law, USCG, and FWC regulations, or state of participation regulations.
12. SCORING. All tournaments uses catch-photo-release scoring determined by the length of each fish (only one fish per species may be entered unless otherwise specified by TD), combined in the case of an Aggregate/Slam.  Each angler will be issued a unique scoring marker/token by email before event. The first photo on the camera must be of your rigged boat as put in at launch with measuring device and scoring marker visible & ’Date Stamped’. Fish must be photographed in or on the boat, on the measuring device, clearly showing the length of the fish with the measuring device clearly visible & Fishing Token placed ON fish. More than one photo of a fish may be taken and is recommended.  Length is determined from the forward-most point of the fish to the natural un-pinched top of the tail with the fish’s mouth closed. All fish entered must be caught using a legal technique that does not violate State of event laws or KFC tournament rules. Fish may be above the slot limit. The maximum fish size is the length of the fish measuring stick. In the event of a tie (in length) the entry checked in earliest will be declared the winner. The judging committee will review the photos to verify reported results and determine place winners. The Tournament Director is responsible for the final call in all matters. Competitors may enter only one fish per species into the tournament unless otherwise stated. Example: The Largest Fish per species wins First Place. The Second Largest Fish per species wins Second Place and so on. If a contestant reveals the length of his entered fish to another contestant, he or she may be disqualified from event.

12 A. The total length of the entry fish in INCHES will equal the same number in POINTS. Example; a 35inch fish equals 35 points. Total length of fish will be rounded downward to nearest TENTH of an inch.

12 B. Bait Bonus Points are awarded to contestants how catch entry fish on approved bait bonus point lures as stated by TD. Bait Bonus Points carry a value of 10 Points per fish/per bait and are counted onto a contestants running Series Points Total. A date/time stamped photo of fish must be taken with approved bait hook in entry fish mouth.

12 C. Slam Bonus Points will be awarded to anglers who catch and enter one of each specified species of fish. The slam bonus has a value of 10 points that will add onto the total Tournament Score of the contestant's entery. 

12 D. Early Registration Points are awarded to contestants who register/pay early by the posted early registration cutoff date. Early Registration Points carry a value of 25 Points.

12 E. Fishing Event Points are awarded to every registered contestant who fishes the event. The Fishing Event Points carry a value of 10 Points.

12 F. Both the Early Registration and Fishing Event Points will count ONLY onto a contestant’s SERIES SCORE for each tournament and will NOT count toward an individual tournament score or podium position. The Series Score is the total of all points earned and awarded to a contestant from each tournament and is the event total that is used to determine point position in series lead.
13. DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY. Participants must only use digital cameras for recording scoring fish (cameras may not be shared by competitors unless cleared by tournament director). Entrants must bring the memory card from their camera to check-in. The tournament scorekeeper will download memory cards onto the official computer. The tournament scorekeeper will be able to read most standard memory cards, however anglers should bring a USB cable for their camera to ensure that their photos may be downloaded. Any alteration of photo of any entered fish in KFC tournaments or any other tournaments which cause disqualification are grounds for disqualification from KFC tournament series until suspension is cleared.
15. PROTEST. All protests must be submitted in writing, along with a $200.00 cash deposit, within fifteen (15) minutes of the last check-in to the Tournament Director or designated tournament official. The protester also agrees that if there is a question of verifying the charge of a protest that he or she also may be subject to take a polygraph (at his or her own expense) and agree to testify in a court of law if necessary. If the Tournament Director, or polygraph, upholds the protest, the cash deposit shall be returned to the contestant submitting the protest.
16. POLYGRAPH. Each contestant who fishes a TBKFC Kayak Fishing Tour/Series event agrees to submit to a polygraph examination at a time and location determined by the Tournament Director following the end of the competition in each tournament and abides by its conclusion. Failure to pass the polygraph will result in disqualification and forfeit of protest deposit.
17. RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE. A waiver, release of liability, and covenant not to sue are part of the entry form. It is required that all contestants take responsibility for themselves while participating in event activities.
18. PHOTO RELEASE. Scoring photos remain the sole ownership of the Tropic Bay Kayak Fishing Classics & Tropic Bay Guides Inc. to be used at their discretion. Contestants grant the TBKFC, Tropic Bay Guides Inc.  and the sponsors the unconditional right to use their name, voice, photographic likeness and biographical information in connection with Tropic Bay Kayak Fishing Classics
tournaments, production, promotion, and/or articles and press releases, and shall not be entitled to receive any royalties or other compensation in connection with such use.
19. RULE CHANGES. Rules interpretation is exclusively left to the Tournament Director. The decisions of the Tournament Director are final in all matters and are not subject to appeal. Rules may change from time to time for purpose of clarity.
20. PRIZE STRUCTURE. For the TBKFC Fishing Tour/Series, event prizes are TBKFC sponsor gear/ merchandise. Number of places awarded is the TOP FIVE contestants with the most points earned/awarded combined for each tournament, excluding ‘early registration points’ and ‘fishing event points’.
21. CONTINGENCY PRIZES. Sponsors may at their discretion award contingency prizes for anglers winning or placing, using their products dependent upon availability.
22. We ask that you show vigorous support for the Tropic Bay Kayak Fishing ClassicS to our sponsors at the Awards Ceremony. Without our Sponsor Support we could not do this. All involved thank you in advance for your participation and efforts.

23. All rules and regulations are of equal importance and are designed for safety, state and federal law compliance and to ensure the integrity of the event. 

24. Contestants using sponsor lures may change out the hooks or jig heads as so long as the changes meet FWC and State of event laws. The major body of the sponsor lure must be used. Only hooks or jig heads may be changed. A contestant may not use a sponsor jig head and with a non sponsor soft or plastic bait and still earn Bait Bonus Points. 

ADDITIONAL RULES FOR TARPON TOURNAMENTS:

25. Tarpon are scored by a hook up photo that shows the tarpon head or back.

26. Tarpon Jump scoring is by photo showing tarpon partially or completely out of water and tarpon is attempting to or has made a jump. The Tarpon head must be out of water to qualify as an 'Attempted Jump'.

27. Contestant may enter one (1) photo of a 'Hook Up" for points AND one (1) photo of a 'Jump' or 'Attempted Jump' which is a total of two (2) Tarpon Photos per tournament in 2011.

28. All lures and Flies are ARTIFICIAL ONLY. NO LIVE BAIT ALLOWED IN 2011. This is for contestant safety.

Waiver of Liability Form

You herby acknowledge that this event has possible dangers from the water, man, machine and or beast, weather including lightening, storms and wind. Ocean kayak fishing may be dangerous and you must be at least 18 years old to enter or have parent/legal guardian written consent to do so. It is strongly advised that you wear a PFD at all time on the water. If you feel threatened in any way or at any time, you are directed to return to shore.