08/20/2019
Tournament Specific Rules - Annual Big Mac Classic 2019 Rules
DATE: September 21 and 22, 2019.
1. ENTRY FEE: $350.00. Each entry fee will receive two meal tickets in their tournament package. No refunds after September 20th, except in the event of weather related cancellation. Any refunds will be less tournament expenses.
2. ELIGIBLE SPECIES: Overall prizes are limited to King Mackerel. All fish must be caught on a rod & reel, no other devices will be allowed.
3. SCALES: The scales are located at AJ's World Famous Seafood and Oyster Bar on Destin Harbor. They will open at 3:00 pm and close at 7:00 pm on Saturday. They will open at 12:00 pm and close at 5:00 pm on Sunday. All fish must be in edible condition. All mutilated fish will be rejected at the discretion of the weigh-master. Once weighed, fish will be marked as caught by the weigh-master who will determine a method to identify a caught fish (pectoral fin or tail will be cut). Anglers may depart from any location after the Captain’s meeting but the Captain must be on the vessel and remain with the vessel until fish are brought to be weighed. Once fish have been weighed vessels may be removed from the water and transported overland to a launch location but once the vessel enters the water it must remain in the water until fish are weighed.
4. WEIGH-IN STATION: Participating boats are required to proceed in an orderly manner when approaching the weigh-in station. All fish must be brought to the weigh-in by the boat it was caught on. Fish cannot be transferred between boats. No overland transportation allowed.
5. PRIZES: Any winner is subject to a polygraph examination and/or required to sign a sworn affidavit. Social security numbers will be required for any prize of $600.00 or more. Prize winning fish shall be the largest by weight. In the
event of a tie, the winner will be determined by the earliest official weigh-in time. Two (2) Day Aggregate is aggregate (total) weight of four (4) fish over two days, with a two (2) fish maximum on any day of the tournament. Saturday Aggregate is aggregate (total) weight of two (2) fish caught and weighed on Saturday. Sunday Aggregate is aggregate (total) weight of two (2) fish caught and weighed on Sunday. To participate in the Saturday Aggregate you must weigh in a fish but if you choose not to return to weigh a fish you will only be allowed two fish on Sunday that will count to the Sunday Aggregate and Overall.
6. CASH AWARDS (Calcutta): King Mackerel is eligible for Calcutta Cash Awards $300, $200, and $100. Calcutta entries must be received by 8:30pm on Friday, September 20, 2019. Each species category and the Aggregate Division will be paid out for first, second and third place based on a 50%, 30%and 20% split of total monies, minus a 20% RMHC-NWFL donation. All participants must be entered in the Big Mac Classic tournament. These Cash Awards are a supplemental award to all other awards. Checks for cash awards will be mailed within 15 days of tournament close as possible.
7. SAFETY: All participating boats must be equipped with an operational VHF radio and conform to US Coast Guard and Florida Department of Natural Resources safety regulations. Captains and crew members are responsible for knowledge of local, state, and federal fishing and boating regulations. For safety reasons, a minimum of two (2) anglers per boat is required. VHF Channel to be monitored will be announced at Captains' Meeting.
8. WEATHER: This is a Captain’s Choice Tournament, however, in the event of severe inclement weather conditions, the tournament may be rescheduled for another weekend. Five hours of fishing constitutes a tournament. No refunds if re-scheduling is required. We will refund if you cannot schedule to fish a rescheduled weekend.
9. TOURNAMENT COMMITTEE: The Tournament Committee shall be the sole judge of any violation of the rules. Their decision shall be final. The Tournament Committee reserves the right to deny any Boat or Individual Entry in this tournament without explanation. They also reserve the right to inspect any boat in the competition at any time.
10. DISPUTES: All disputes, protests, claims, differences or controversies relating to any aspect of the Tournament, including, without limitation, Tournament Rules, must be submitted to the Tournament Officials prior to closing of the scales daily or are deemed waived. All such disputes must be presented in writing along with a nonrefundable fee of $500 cash. All such disputes shall be decided by the Rules Committee and shall be final and binding upon all parties.
11. MISCELLANEOUS: Any unsportsmanlike conduct, validated by substantial evidence, will not be tolerated and is grounds for disqualification without refund. Since this is a boat tournament and not an angler’s tournament, anglers will be allowed to switch boats in the event of mechanical breakdowns providing the Tournament Committee has been notified and permission is granted. All cash awards will be paid to the boat captain and not the angler. Any money split is captain's discretion. Please remember this is a charity tournament and your generosity is appreciated. Cash Awards will be announced and checks will be mailed within 10 days.
12. CAPTAIN/ANGLERS MEETING: AJ's on the Harbor, Friday, September 20, 2019 at 6:00 PM with dinner served by AJs. Each registered boat is responsible for having a representative at the Captain/ Anglers Meeting. Any rule changes and/or new information will be announced at this time. Registration will begin at 4:00 PM at AJ's on the Harbor and close at 8:30 PM.
AWARDS CEREMONY: Sunday, September 22, 2019 at 6:00 pm at AJ's on the Harbor. GOOD LUCK ANGLERS...BE SAFE!
Contact Information
Tournament Director: Jerry Andrews Phone: (850) 259-3158 David Locht: 850-6852484 Charlotte Walstad:850-217-2107
