A. SAFETY AND CONDUCT:
B. REGISTRATION:
C. ELIGIBILITY.
D. MASTERS DIVISION RULES:
E. RECREATIONAL TEAM CHALLENGE:
F. FISH CATEGORIES AND ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
G. SCORING:
H. PRIZES:
I.  FISHING AREAS:
J. TACKLE AND METHODS:
K. OFFICIAL SCHEDULE:
L. WEIGH-IN:
M. RULINGS AND RULES COMPLIANCE:
N. LIABILITY:
O. COMMUNICATIONS:
P. ENTRY FEES:
Q. WEATHER CONTINGENCY

A. SAFETY AND CONDUCT

1. Participants are expected to follow all applicable laws and rules for safe boating, including those regarding USCG equipment requirements.

2. Participants are expected to follow all applicable laws pertaining to the taking of marine fish.

3. Participants are expected to follow high standards of sportsmanship and courtesy. Any participant who exhibits threatening behavior or who otherwise engage in disorderly, illegal or improper conduct of any kind is subject to immediate disqualification from the Tournament.

4. Willful violations of marine laws or other violations of safe and proper conduct may lead to disqualification.

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B. REGISTRATION

1. No angler will be eligible to win any tournament prize or contribute to a team score unless properly registered, with payment of the applicable fee(s), before catching the entered fish.

2. Properly registered entrants will be issued a Tournament ID card that must accompany fish brought to weigh-in and which must be presented when claiming prizes.

3. Tournament officials may verify proper registration at any time by requesting presentation of a Tournament ID and other identification.

4. Registration may be completed in advance by mail, internet (www.saltwaterclassic.com), in person at selected locations, or by telephone as indicated on the registration form.

5. Mailed entries must be received by THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 2008, at 5:00 pm.

6. The final deadline for entry by any means is 12 NOON, FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2008 Eastern Daylight Time.

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C. ELIGIBILITY

1. Masters Division: Open to all anglers. Professional fishing guides and commercial fishermen who earn at least 25% of their income during the 12 months preceding the tournament by guiding, catching, or selling marine finfish are restricted to this division.

2. Recreation Division: Open to all anglers except those restricted to the Masters Division. Recreational anglers can fish from a Charter boat so long as the Captain, crew or mate does not hook or play fish.

3. Junior Division: Open to anglers below the age of 13 at the start of the tournament.

4. Recreational Team Challenge: Open to all anglers eligible to enter the Recreational Division.   Additional fee required.

5. Recreational Jackpot: Open to Recreational Division entrants. Additional fee(s) required.

6. Kingfish Jackpot: Open to all registered entrants in the Masters and Recreational Divisions. Additional fee required.

7. Daily Leader: Open to Recreational Division entrants. No additional fee required.

8. Participants are eligible to compete in only one division at a time.

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D. MASTERS DIVISION RULES:

1. The Masters Division is a competition among boat teams vying for cash prizes and award plaques.

2. A separate registration fee is required for each boat team; no individual registration fee applies, except for the optional entry for the Kingfish Jackpot.

3. Boat teams shall be limited to six named persons including captain and crew.

4. All members of a single registered boat team must fish from the same vessel.

5. Team members may be rotated during the competition; however, at no time may a registered team boat contain more than six persons at any time, including captain and crew.

6. All boat team members must be registered in the Masters Division only. Recreational Division and Junior Division anglers are ineligible to compete as members of Masters Division.

7. Teams may register under the name of a boat or under any other name, insofar as the name is not offensive or in bad taste.

8. Boat teams are prohibited from changing boats once the tournament has begun. To be eligible for awards, boats, which begin the competition, must complete the competition under their own power.

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E. RECREATIONAL TEAM CHALLENGE:

1. With payment of an additional fee, groups of recreational anglers may compete as sponsored teams in the Recreational Division.

2. The Team Challenge competition is an optional element of the Recreational Division competition and will not affect team members' scoring or eligibility for prizes in the corresponding main division.

3. The only prize in the Team Challenge competition shall be a Team Challenge Trophy.

4. All anglers on a team must be eligible for and individually registered in the Recreational Division. Failure to meet this requirement will disqualify team.

5. Recreational teams must consist of at least two and no more than four anglers, who may fish together or separately.

6. Recreational teams may fish from no more than two (2) boats. Failure to meet this requirement will disqualify the team.

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F. FISH CATEGORIES AND ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

1. Fish species eligible for scoring in the tournament, with minimum qualifying lengths (see 2. below) are:

a. Masters Division: AMBERJACK, 36" Fork; DOLPHIN, 22" Fork; GROUPER, RED OR GAG, 25"; MACKEREL-KING , 27" Fork; SNAPPER-RED, 18”; WAHOO, 22".

b. Recreational Division: AMBERJACK, 32 " Fork; COBIA, 34" Fork; DOLPHIN, 22" Fork; FLOUNDER, 13"; GAFFTOPSAIL CATFISH, 14"; GROUPER, RED OR GAG, 25"; KING MACKEREL, 27" Fork; MACKEREL - SPANISH OR CERO , 14" Fork; SHEEPSHEAD, 14"; SNAPPER-RED OR MANGROVE, 18"; SPOTTED SEA TROUT, 16"; WAHOO, 22";

c. Junior Division: BLACK SEA BASS, 12"; WHITE ("KEY WEST") GRUNT, no minimum length; FLOUNDER, 12"; GAFFTOPSAIL CATFISH, 12"; GROUPER, RED OR GAG, 24”; MACKEREL-KING, 25" Fork; MACKEREL-SPANISH OR CERO, 12" Fork; SPOTTED SEA TROUT, 15"; TRIGGERFISH, 14"; WHITING, no minimum length

2. Minimum qualifying lengths are measured as total length. Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail, with the tail in a normal relaxed position except those noted as FORK, which are measured to the middle of the fork of the tail.

3. Fish must have been caught personally by the registered entrant who is credited with the catch in tournament scoring, using legal methods as defined in Section J, during legal hours of tournament fishing as defined in Section K.

4. The Tournament reserves the right to amend the lengths and/or remove any fish from competition, without notice, at any time in order to comply with federal and/or state requirements.

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G. SCORING:

1. Scoring by weight: All scoring in the tournament is based on the weight of single fish entered by registered anglers in any of the eligible species categories for their division.

2. Single category: Individual anglers or teams may hold only one place at a time in a single category.

3. Subsequent Entries: Individual anglers or teams may improve their standing in a given category with subsequent entry of larger fish at any time before the close of the tournament.

4. Official Weigh Stations: All fish to be considered for scoring must be weighed on an official scale at an Official Weigh Station.

5. Masters Division Boat Team Scoring: The scoring system for these divisions determines a single list of winning boat teams, from first to fourth place in the Masters Division. Points are awarded for the five heaviest qualifying fish in each species category as follows:

1st -100 POINTS

2nd - 80 POINTS

3rd - 75 POINTS

4th - 63 POINTS

5th - 51 POINTS

A team may hold only one place at a time in a species category, as determined by the heaviest qualifying fish posted by member of that team. The sum of points accumulated for placements in the various categories determines the final overall standing of the team. Ties are broken by a formula based on the weight of the teams' scored fish in comparison to the average weight of all fish placing in the applicable category(ies).

6. Recreational Division Individual Scoring: The scoring system for this division determines individual winners in each species category and a single overall winner of the tournament Grand Prize. The five heaviest qualifying fish in that category determine category winners. Category ties are resolved by evenly splitting the combined placement prize amounts among the tied contestants. Points are awarded for a placement in each category as follows:

1st - 100 POINTS

2nd - 80 POINTS

3rd - 75 POINTS

4th - 63 POINTS

5th - 51 POINTS

The sum of points accumulated for placing in the various categories determines the overall Grand Prize winner. A tie for the Grand Prize winner is broken by a formula based on the weight of the individuals' scored fish in comparison to the average weight of all fish placing in the applicable category(ies).

7. Junior Division Scoring: The scoring system for the Junior Division determines winners in each species category. The five heaviest qualifying fish in that category determine category winners. Category ties are resolved by evenly splitting the combined placement prize amounts among the tied contestants. 

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H. PRIZES:

1. Masters Division:

Cash prizes are paid to the captains or sponsors of boat teams which place first through fourth place overall. The total purse shall consist of 70% of Master Division entry fees collected. Prize amounts are determined as follows:

• First Place - 40% of purse, or $5,000 guaranteed payout
• Second Place - 25% of purse
• Third Place - 20% of purse
• Fourth Place -15% of purse

2. Recreational Division:

Fish category winners are awarded cash and plaques for first through fifth place in each category as follows:

• First Place - $1,000 (minimum value)
• Second Place - $400 (minimum value)
• Third Place - $250 (minimum value)
• Fourth Place - $150 (minimum value)
• Fifth Place - $100 (minimum value)

The Grand Prize winner will receive a package of goods and/or services as advertised elsewhere, valued higher than any single category first-place prize. The Grand Prize is not transferable, may not be redeemed for cash, and includes a limited-time offer wherein the prize must be redeemed by the winner upon penalty or forfeit. 

3. Junior Division: Fish category winners are awarded goods and services for first through third place in each category as follows:

• First Place - trophy and a prize package
• Second Place – trophy and a prize package
• Third Place - - trophy
• Fourth Place – trophy
• Fifth Place - trophy

4. Team Challenge: The Team Challenge Trophy is awarded to the winning teams' sponsor. The trophy is rotating and may be retained only so long as it is successfully defended in subsequent tournaments.  The trophy remains the property of the BBSC and shall be returned prior to next year’s tournament.

5. Recreational Jackpot: Entrants in the Recreational Division have the option of entering any of eleven Jackpot prize categories, each of which requires an additional fee. Seventy percent of such fees generated by each category will be awarded to the angler posting the largest fish by weight in the following categories: Amberjack, Cobia, Dolphin, Flounder, Gafftopsail Catfish, Grouper, Sheepshead, Snapper, Spanish Mackerel, Speckled Trout and Wahoo.

6. Kingfish Jackpot: Entrants in the Masters and Recreational Division have the option of entering the Kingfish Jackpot for an additional fee.  Seventy percent of such fees generated will be awarded to the angler posting the largest King Mackerel by weight.  Minimum guaranteed payout for this prize will be $5,000.

7. Friday Leader Prizes: (FOR THE RECREATIONAL DIVISION ONLY)

a. At the end of weigh-in hours on the first day of the tournament, a cash prize of $50 will be awarded to the Recreational Division entrant with the largest fish weighed in that day in each species category.

b. Winning a Daily Leader Prize has no effect on eligibility to win any other tournament prize with the same fish.

c. To win any Daily Leader Prize, entrants have the option of being paid at the close of the weigh in or picking up their winnings at the official awards presentation on Sunday. Prizes will not be mailed; no-shows will forfeit their prizes.  See Section K for award times.

8. Redemption of Prizes: All prizes, including daily leader prizes, must be claimed by the winner in person, with a valid Tournament ID, at the time and place the prize is scheduled to be awarded. In cases of special hardship only, the tournament board may permit prizes to be claimed by a representative bearing the winner's Tournament ID. Prizes not claimed in accordance with these rules remain property of the tournament.

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I. FISHING AREAS:

1. Departure points: Tournament entrants must depart from port (or may fish from shore) along the portion of the Gulf of Mexico coastline from Aucilla River in Taylor County to Mexico Beach in Bay County.

2. Boundaries on water: Providing stated limits on points of departure are observed, there are no boundary restrictions on the waters tournament entrants may fish.

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J. TACKLE AND METHODS:

1. The entrant credited with a catch in tournament scoring must have personally hooked and played the fish to boatside or shore, without assistance. Normal sportfishing practices for landing a fish (e.g. gaffing, wiring, or landing nets) may be assisted.

2. Fish must be hooked and landed on a single rod and reel, pole, or handline.

3. Electrically driven reels on a free-standing rod (e.g. "Electramates") are acceptable.

4. Expressly prohibited fishing methods for purposes of this tournament include: mounted winch devices ("one-armed bandits"), motor-driven longlines, spearing, gigging, netting, shooting (including use of bangsticks), or any method of catch in violations of State or Federal laws. Evidence of prohibited methods will disqualify the catch and all entrants fishing aboard the vessel on which such rule violations were committed.

5. Presence of prohibited gear on a contestant's boat will be considered evidence of use and shall be considered grounds for disqualifying the catch and all entrants fishing aboard the vessel.

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K. OFFICIAL SCHEDULE:

1. Official Time: All times given represent Eastern Daylight Time in Carrabelle, Florida occurring from June 13-15, 2008.

2. Tournament fishing hours begins (First Lines in the Water) at 5:30 a.m., Friday, June 13, 2008.

3. All fishing in all divisions continues without interruption until 7:30 p.m., Saturday June 14, 2008.

4. Official Weigh Station hours are 3:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Friday, June 13, and Saturday, June 14, 2008.

4. Friday Leader Prizes will be determined after the close of weigh-in on Friday, June 13 at each Official Weigh Station. Friday Leader Prizes will be awarded at the Tournament Awards Ceremony.

5. Tournament Awards Ceremony will be held Sunday at 9:00 AM June 15, 2008 at the Tournament Headquarters, Carrabelle Boat Club in Carrabelle, FL.

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L. WEIGH-IN:

1. Scoring: To be eligible for scoring, fish must be brought to an Official Weigh Station within the weigh-in hours specified above by a person or persons bearing the Tournament ID card(s) of the registered angler(s) whose fish are to be scored (see 6. below).

2. Official Weigh Stations: There are three Official Weigh Stations where fish may be weighed in. They are; Panacea Harbor Marina, Panacea, FL, Carrabelle Boat Club, Carrabelle, FL, and Port St. Joe Marina, Port St. Joe, FL.

3. Weigh-In Zones: Fish, intended to be scored, shall be considered eligible only if at posted deadline times they are located within the in-line traffic at each scale at an Official Weigh Station. No waivers of these rules will be granted because of hardship or other eventualities.

5. Open Times: Fish may be officially weighed any time the weigh stations are open. Entrants are encouraged to bring their catch to weigh-in as soon as practical to ensure freshness and the least loss of weight.

6. Tournament ID: Fish will not be officially weighed without presentation of the entrant's Tournament ID, in person or by a representative.

7. Handling: Fish qualifying for places on any of the tournament competition leader boards will be tagged with the official weight, time, entrant's name and Tournament ID number, gut checked and held by tournament officials until close of the tournament or until no longer qualifying for any placement.

8. Freshness: Fish brought to weigh-in must be in a fresh, edible condition and must not have been frozen.

9. Tampering: Fish must be intact with no evidence of spearing, bangsticks, weight tampering, or other rules violations. It is the responsibility of the angler to ensure that all foreign objects are removed from the fish.  Such object shall include, but are not limited to:  hooks, leaders, ice, and weights.  Hooks or bait that have passed through the mouth and into the gullet may be left in place.  Any fish found to be in violation of this rule is subject to disqualification and/or gut check.

11. Gut check: All fish weighed by the tournament may be subject to a gut check after weighing at the discretion of Tournament officials.

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M. RULINGS AND RULES COMPLIANCE:

1.Rules violations, the eligibility of entrants or entered fish, disqualifications, and any other matters not specifically covered by these rules will be decided by the Tournament Judge in consultation with the Tournament staff. The Tournament Judge may disqualify any person who commits any violation of tournament rules. The Tournament Judge may disqualify entrants from this tournament and from future tournaments and events.

2. Decisions of the Tournament Judge are final and binding on all entrants.

3. Ticket outlets are ticket sale representatives of the Tournament and in no way act as an agent for or on behalf of the Tournament. Ticket outlets cannot give Rules interpretations.

3. Lie-detector (polygraph) tests will be administered to the Recreational Division Grand Prize winner, the captain or boat owner representing the Masters Division first-place winner, and two other randomly selected winners in the Recreational or Masters Divisions. Individuals selected for polygraph tests must pass all portions of the test to be eligible to receive any prize. Failure to do so for any reason will result in immediate disqualification. Individuals who are judged by the polygraph examiner to be impaired by drugs or alcohol will be disqualified.

4. Protests of any nature must be submitted to the Tournament Chairman in writing by 9:00am June 15, 2008 along with a cash deposit of $50.00 to be binding on the outcome of this tournament. An unsuccessful protest will forfeit the $50.00 deposit.

5. Protests filed after 9:00 am on June 15, 2008, will not affect the results of this tournament and will only be considered with respect to other actions against entrants.

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N. LIABILITY:

1. All entrants participate in the tournament at their own risk.

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O. COMMUNICATIONS:

Ship-to-shore communication for safety and for periodic tournament announcements will be maintained throughout the tournament on marine VHF channel 09.

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P. ENTRY FEES:

Entry fees for the 2008 Big Bend Saltwater Classic are as follows:

Recreational Division:  $65.00 (per angler)

Recreational Team Challenge:  $125.00 (per team, individual registration required)

Recreational Jackpots:  $25.00 (per fish, per angler)

Kingfish Jackpot:  $35.00 (per angler)

Junior Division:  $25.00 (per angler)

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Q. WEATHER CONTINGENCY: