2011 J-Bay TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
1. PARTICIPATION AND ELIGIBILITY: Participation is open to anyone 18 years of age or older.
Minors are eligible to register and participate with a parent or guardian who also participates in the event. Minors must have the signature of his or her parent or legal guardian on the entry form as applicable to any state, commonwealth, county, or federal regulations or law. The obligation to know these rules falls upon the parent. A completed entry form and entry fee must be received no later than the published deadline.
2. AWARDS: will be presented in 4 categories if the division criteria have been met. Within each of the competitive division there will be first, second and third. In the registration raffle, prizes will be awarded by the pulling of numbers and the total number of prizes in the raffle will be determined by the number of donated items.
Targeted Species (Bass, Bluefish, and Weakfish).
Open Division – longest fish caught of targeted species.
Fly Division - longest fish caught by fly rod of targeted species.
Junior Division - longest fish caught by a person under 18 years of age of targeted species.
Electric Division – longest fish caught in an electric powered kayak of targeted species. Grand Slam - will be determined by the longest aggregate measurement of 1 of each of the 3 target species (Striped Bass, Bluefish, and Weakfish). Tournament organizer has final word on determining winners. -We reserve the right to consolidate divisions based on lack of participation. 3. SAFETY: Safe boating will be observed at all times. DURING COMPETITION, EACH CONTESTANT IS REQUIRED TO FOLLOW U.S. COAST GUARD REGULATIONS INCLUDING POSSESSION OF COAST GUARD APPROVED TYPE III PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVISE (PFD), 360 DEGREE LIGHT, AND A WHISTLE IS MANDATORY AND MUST BE ON BOARD. TOURNAMENT RULES REQUIRE THAT A CLASS III PFD BE WORN AT ALL TIMES WHILE IN A KAYAK. 4. FISHING TIMES: Friday 12noon(after 11am captains meeting - not mandatory) to 6pm, Saturday 5am to 7pm, Sunday 5am to 11am. All entrants wishing to enter a fish must be back at launch site by 11:00am on Sunday (fish can be entered any time before that time). Tournament fishing is only allowed during safe day light hours. No fish picture taken at night will to be allowed to be entered for prizes. During the event it is possible that due to dangerous weather that participants will be asked to not enter the water until a period of better conditions – any person not complying will be disqualified from the event. Event permit entitles all participants access to the park starting Thursday 6am. If you want to extend your fishing or camping, a separate park permit must be purchased. 5.COMMUNICATIONS: the use of mobile communication is allowed and encouraged. 6. SPORTSMANSHIP: all contestants are required to follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy and conservation. Intoxication will be cause for immediate disqualification. No alcoholic beverages or the use of illegal drugs is allowed. This rule extends through and includes signing of the check-in form at tournament headquarters. The illegal use of drugs, participation in any criminal activities, or other conduct reflecting unfavorably upon efforts to promote safety, sportsmanship, fair competition and compliance with tournament rules and the law are grounds for disqualification and/or rejection of any applicant from participation. This will also entail the return of any prizes awarded. Legal remedy will be sought if necessary.
7. PERMITTED FISHING METHODS: All fish must be caught live via hook and line by bait or artificial lure. Entries to the Fly division are not permitted to have any other fishing outfits besides fly rods and reels and are required to launch from the registration area following inspection by a judge. 8. PROHIBITED: There is absolutely NO FERRYING (i.e. using another vehicle or boat, motorized or not to transport your kayak to fishing location while on the water.) 9. PERMITTED FISHING LOCATIONS: Anywhere in Jamaica Bay East of Marine Parkway Bridge. You can launch from any place that gives you legal access to the Bay, but you must register and photograph your kayak at the Floyd Bennett Field launch. All entries into the fly division must launch at Floyd Bennett Field.
Note: In order to protect wildlife and sensitive marsh habitat, entry into salt marshes or onto any islands in Jamaica Bay is not permitted. - During the hours of competition, contestants may not obtain or receive assistance, including but not limited to following a non-competitor's boat, the placing of markers by any non-competitor, towed by or a passenger on motorized vessels or electronic, voice or data communication from a non competitor... -NYS saltwater fishing license is NOT required! - All participants must have with them a vessel like a kayak or canoe. Other vessels will be permitted at the discretion of the tournament committee. No combustion engines permitted on the boat during the event. Contestants may leave the boat to stand or to wade while fishing but must be in SIGHT OF THEIR BOAT. Kayaks, canoes or permitted electric motorized craft are the only mode of on-the-water transport allowed. 10. SCORING: Catch and release criteria, will be determined by total length of the longest fish: for the slam the combined total lengths of each fish of the target species. Each contestant must have a digital camera to take pictures and enter pictures for prizes. There must be a picture of the angler with his kayak at launch site with any pictures to be entered for prizes. Fish must be photographed in or on boat, (vessels should be distinguishable in photo) next to provided tape measure. The photo must show clearly the length of the fish. Total length is determined from the tip of the lower jaw to the end of the tail. The judging committee makes the call and the tournament director is the final authority on length but will not change the ruling of the judging committee. The tournament Director is not liable for photo processing and condition of cameras. In the event of a tie the most visibly larger fish of contestant's catch will be used to break tie. Only Striped Bass, Bluefish and Weakfish can be entered for prizes. 11. RELEASE OF LIABILITY: A waiver and release of liability statement is part of the entry form. It is required of each contestant that they take responsibility for themselves while participating in any tournament activities. 12. RULE CHANGES: Rule interpretation will be left exclusively to the tournament directors; decisions of the tournament director are final in all matters and are not subject to appeal. CLICK HERE to register for tournament. CLICK HERE for additional info. | 
