ETCC Tournament Rules 2023/2024
East Texas Crappie Club Tournament Rules 2024
1. MEMBERSHIP
Waived for the remainder of the 2024 season
2. OFF LIMITS
Waters are off limits at 5:00 pm on the day of the pre-tournament meeting.
3. PRACTICE / REGISTRATION
During practice, teams may only have immediate family or sponsors in their boat and must notify tournament director of such.
3A. Teams must enter the tournament online no later than midnight the Sunday prior to the tournament. Cash payment option is available at pre-tournament meeting prior to the tournament. There is no late entry fee, no entry entries will be accepted the day off.
5. PRE-TOURNAMENT MEETING
Pre-Tournament meeting time starts at 6 pm with late registration. The pre-tournament meeting will be held the evening prior to tournament day. One team member must be present for the meeting. The anglers are responsible for knowing any changes announced at the pre-tournament meeting.
6. TEAM
May be 1 or 2 anglers. A team may have a 3rd partner if the third partner is under the age of 16. Pole limits a team with a youth third member, are the same as a two-partner team. Spectators are not allowed in the boat with a team during tournament hours. In the event family or health emergency to prevent a team member for fishing a tournament, one substitution will be allowed pending Director approval.
7. FISH
Teams may weigh in up to 5 LIVE CRAPPIE. Once you enter the weigh in line your fish will be check. A team entering the weigh in line with more than 5 crappie will be disqualified.
7A. Teams may only have 7 fish in live well during competition and only 5 in the weigh in line.
7B. Crappie must be caught during tournament hours, on the legal tournament waters, by the team presenting the crappie.
7C. Crappie must be hook in lip or through the mouth.
7D. Crappie must be legal in length as stated in the State Regulations. Violation will result in disqualification.
7E. Dead fish: If a team presents dead fish, all dead fish will be removed, and team may weigh the remaining fish. If fish have been checked by the tournament official and any fish dies after the check, the fish will be weighed.
8. TOURNAMENT WATERS
Shall be defined as areas open to all participants of the event and accessible by normal navigational means only. Fishing within 50 feet of a marina gas pump or within 50 feet of a competitor’s boat is prohibited. Any violation of off-limits water will result in disqualification.
9. WEATHER
In the case of extreme weather/water conditions, ETCC reserves the right to postpone or delay the start of a tournament. Canceled tournaments due to weather will have teams entry fee returned by mail.
10. START-TIMES/STOP-TIME/WEIGH IN CLOSED
Tournament Start times-Stop times will be listed on the tournament information page and announced at the pre-tournament meeting. No team will be able to enter the weigh in line after the announced weigh in line “closed” time that is announced at the pre-tournament meeting.
11. STATE REGULATIONS
Teams must comply with ALL state fishing and boating regulations.
11A. Including but not limited to the use of PFDs and kill switches.
11B. Fishing and boating licenses are the responsibility of team members.
11C. Fish length regulations. Bringing fish to the weigh in line that is in violation of state length regulations results in disqualification.
12. SCALES
Scales will be set up and open before the stop time of each tournament. ETCC reserves the right to open the scales earlier if conditions are such that fish are stressed. Only allowed one weigh-in.
13. LIVE WELL CHECKS
Live Well checks will take place on each tournament morning at the designated Live Well Checkpoint area listed on the tournament Information page and as announced at the pre-tournament meeting.
14. PRIZES
Prizes will be awarded after the tournament.
14A. Entry fee is $120 ($100 + $20 Big Fish per team). Payout will be 1 place for every 5 entries. 100% payout.
Optional Side pot $100 per team. Pays 50% to 1st and 30% to 2nd and 20% to 3rd.
14B. Big Fish Tie: Pot will be split 50/50
14C. A tournament tie for first place will be decided by Big Fish. Ties for other places will split the purse for those places.
15. STATE CHAMPIONSHIP / AOY QUALIFICATIONS
15A. Fishing two events will automatically qualify a team to the state championship.
15B. Angler of the year will be determined on your best 5 qualifying finishes.
15C. In the event a team decides to split up, AOY points will be divided equally between each member.
16. POLES
Limit of eight (8) poles per team during tournament applies except where a state limit is set at a lesser number. Teams may use rod and reel combos, hand-held pole and reel combos or hand-held poles.
17. BAITS
A maximum of two baits per pole may be used during tournament hours if in accordance with Local and State laws. Artificial bait only. No live bait. STINGER HOOKS are PROHIBITED. Trailer Hooks are PROHIBITED. Crankbaits with treble hooks are allowed.
18. OTHER EQUIPMENT
Binoculars and other magnifying devices are not allowed during pre-fishing or tournament at any time. The use of mobile communication devices such as cellular phones, marine radios, walkie-talkies, CB’S, etc. to communicate fishing information during tournament hours is prohibited.
19. COMPENSATION
NO ONE can be hired or compensated in any way to fish with you or mark fishing spots for you, 60 days prior to any tournament.
20. INFORMATION SHARING-SPOTTING
During tournament hours no one may spot fish for you or mark fishing spots for you. There is NO sharing information in any way including but not limited to the sharing of way points, coordinates or any other method for locating fish.
21. FISH TRANSFER
A team may transfer fish to another boat to get to the weigh in on time, only in the case of boat or motor damage.
22. ALCOHOL
Beverages, drugs or substances that can impair anglers are not allowed in the boat or during ETCC competition hours and until polygraphs are given. Anglers on medical subscription must notify the tournament director.
23. REFUNDS
Shall only be made in a life-threatening emergency or death in the family. Entry fees maybe moved and credited to another event with 2 full weeks’ notice and payment of $25.00 transfer fee.
24. PROTEST
Must be made in writing to the tournament director within 30 minutes following the end of the official weigh-in. All protests must cite the rule number(s) allegedly broken.
25. SPORTSMANSHIP
Instances of poor sportsmanship during the tournament or using social media posts in a negative way towards the trail, its competitors or its sponsors may be grounds for disqualification or banned from competition if circumstances require. If you’re having an issue, please submit a complaint to the board so it can be resolved promptly and drama free.
26. POLYGRAPH
Any team having a member who has failed or refused to take a polygraph test or was on a team that was disqualified or denied a prize because either member of that team failed or refused to take a polygraph or who has ever been denied a prize because he or she misrepresented compliance with a tournament rule will be disqualified.
27. RELEASE
By your participation in this tournament, you agree to comply with the rules and agree to submit to and pass a POLYGRAPH TEST or similar truth test in order to qualify for the receipt of any prize. Tests may be given to teams at random at any/all events. A contestant who fails to pass a polygraph test or whose condition does not permit the administration of a test because of the contestant’s use of alcohol / drugs will be disqualified and the team will not be allowed to participate in any future ETCC events. At the request of ETCC, one member of each team that qualified for a prize must submit to and pass a POLYGRAPH TEST and/or any other test deemed necessary to determine compliance with tournament rules. Polygraph tests will be given at random at all events. Only one member of the team selected by the tournament director will be tested. If that member passes the test, the prizes earned by the team will be awarded. If that member fails the test the team will be disqualified and neither member of the team will be awarded a prize. The test will be given only once, and no contestant will be eligible for a second test under any circumstance. The decision of the test examiner as to the contestant’s compliance with tournament rules will be the final decision as to eligibility for any prize. Contestants agree to release East Texas Crappie League and all sponsors of these events from any liability arising from the administration of the test and/or the decision of the test examiner. Participants in ETCC events agree to release ETCC and its sponsors from any obligation for using names and photo likeness in promotional materials and/or video productions.
All decisions regarding compliance with these rules and the interpretation of these rules will be made by the tournament director and ETCC which reserves the right to make additional reasonable rules for the conduct of its tournaments if circumstances require. ETCC tournaments do not discriminate for reasons of race, creed, color, national origin, and we abide by all rules set forth in the American Disabilities Act.
ANGLER CODE OF CONDUCT
Contestants participating in any ETCC event shall abide by this code of conduct and the applicable rules for the event in which they are participating. Contestants shall, at all times, conduct themselves in a manner becoming of a professional that will not reflect unfavorably on ETCC, its members, events or representatives. The favorable public reputation of ETCC as an organization in the sport of fishing, the integrity of its officials, and the reputation of its media properties are valuable assets and tangible benefits for ETCC. Anglers participating in any ETCC event shall observe this code of conduct and the applicable rules for the specific event in which they are participating. Anglers shall, at all times, conduct themselves in a professional manner that demonstrates integrity, honor and respect toward fellow competitors, tournament staff and the general public and does not reflect unfavorably on ETCC its members, officers or representatives, tournaments or sponsors.
Anglers are frequently in the public eye and are considered role models by young people; therefore, it is imperative that tournament competitors demonstrate good sportsmanship in fishing. Sportsmanship is defined as fair play, respect for opponents and polite behavior while competing in the sport.
(i) Following are examples of unacceptable behavior by competitors in ETCC events that will be cause for penalties as outlined in this document.
• Heated public disagreements with ETCC event officials, other competitors and fans and volunteers during an event.
• Public attacks through media, including social media, upon the integrity of ETCC rules or event officials.
• Public comments that an angler knows, or should reasonably know, will harm the reputation of ETCC, ETCC, event officials or sponsors.
• Displays of anger and displeasure for reasons related to fishing competition where members of the public, including other anglers, spectators, and the media, are present.
• Publicly questioning or criticizing a tournament official or official decision, ruling or penalty except through the proper channels.
• Abuse (physical, verbal, threatening or slanderous) of tournament officials, volunteers, fellow competitors, or others connected with a ETCC event including comments on social media.
• Offensive or slanderous comments with racial, cultural, or sexual overtones regarding event officials, event personnel or fellow anglers.
• Intentionally interfering with a fellow angler’s ability to compete.
Any disqualification, suspension or other disciplinary action imposed by any tournament or fishing organization may result in disqualification from competition and rejection of an application for participation in a ETCC tournament.
(ii) Chemical substance addiction or abuse, conviction of a felony or crimes involving moral turpitude, may be grounds for disqualification from competition and for rejecting any application for participation.
Anglers who violate any of the provisions of the Sportsmanship, Angler Code of Conduct, or Public Conduct, Sportsmanship& Competitive Integrity policies will face immediate disqualification and potential ban from ETCC. Anglers participating in any ETCC event shall observe this code of conduct and the applicable rules for the specific event in which they are participating. Anglers shall, at all times, conduct themselves in a professional manner that demonstrates integrity, honor and respect toward fellow competitors, tournament staff and the general public and does not reflect unfavorably on ETCC its members, officers or representatives, tournaments or sponsors.
Any disqualification, suspension or other disciplinary action imposed by any tournament or fishing organization may result in disqualification from competition and rejection of an application for participation in an ETCC tournament.
(ii) Chemical substance addiction or abuse, conviction of a felony or crimes involving moral turpitude, may be grounds for disqualification from competition and for rejecting any application for participation.
Anglers who violate any of the provisions of the Sportsmanship, Angler Code of Conduct, or Public Conduct, Sportsmanship& Competitive Integrity policies will face immediate disqualification and potential ban from ETCC.
SPORTSMANSHIP
Contestants in ETCC. ETCC tournaments 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. Use of alcohol or drugs (other than those purchased over-the-counter or prescribed by a licensed physician) by any contestant during the open practice or during the tournament will not be tolerated and may lead to disqualification. No alcoholic beverages, other stimulants or depressants, prescription or otherwise, shall be allowed in the boats during the open practice or competition days or when in the weigh-in area. Any contestant(s) deemed under the influence by the tournament director may be disqualified. The use of any tobacco products or smoking prior/during takeoff, from check-in through weigh-in while cameras are present is prohibited. Maximum courtesy must be practiced at all times, especially with regard to boating and angling in the vicinity of non-contestants who may be on tournament waters. Any act of a contestant which reflects unfavorably upon efforts to promote fisheries conservation, clean waters and courtesy shall be reason for disqualification. All contestants are bound by the prevailing statutes and regulations of the various states within which they fish. Contestants are responsible for research of fishing and boating regulations. Chemical substance addiction or abuse, conviction of a felony or crimes involving moral turpitude or other conduct reflecting unfavorably upon efforts to promote safety, sportsmanship, fair competition, and compliance with tournament rules shall be grounds for rejecting any application for participation and/or for disqualification after circumstances are reviewed by the Tournament Director. Any disqualification suspension from or other disciplinary action regarding any tournament or fishing organization shall be grounds for rejecting any application for participation in an ETCC. tournament and/or disqualification from an ETCC tournament after circumstances are reviewed by the Tournament Director. A written statement may be accepted by the tournament director from any contestant in question.
PUBLIC CONDUCT, SPORTSMANSHIP & COMPETITIVE INTEGRITY
Contestant agrees that the integrity and competitive honesty of fishing contests is paramount to any crappie fishing tournament circuit’s continued existence and success. Contestants compete in ETCC contests at the sole discretion of ETCC. ETCC reserves the right to refuse service to any potential contestant and enforce its tournament rules at its discretion. Contestants are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the highest standards of morality, honesty, fair play and sportsmanship. Contestants will not do anything which shall be detrimental to ETCC, its sponsors or competitive fishing in general. Contestants agree to conduct themselves, at all times, with regard to public conventions and morals. Contestants agree not to engage in any conduct that will reasonably tend to degrade him/her or bring ETCC into public hatred, contempt or ridicule or tend to offend the fishing community or integrity of competitive angling. The contestants agree that this provision is necessary to protect ETCC goodwill in the community in which the contestant represents it and to protect the profitability and competitive integrity of ETCC business. ETCC may ban any member from any contests for a serious or intentional violation of any law, rule, regulation, constitutional provision, bylaw, or any act of dishonesty, theft or
misappropriation of ETCC property, moral turpitude, insubordination, or any act injuring, abusing, or endangering others. ETCC does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, or national origin.