Tournament Series Rules
2007 - 2008

·         Cost: The entry fee of $10.00 is good for all three below tournament dates. Entries must be paid prior to the dates of the tournament and you must be a current OCBS club member.

·         Registration: You can sign up at OCBS club meetings, The Rodmakers Shoppe or Erie Outfitters and Golden Hackle Fly Shop on the west side or Grand River Bait & Tackle on the east side.

·         Tournament Dates:

o        Fall - November 18, 2007

o        Winter - January 6, 2008

o        Spring - March 16, 2008

·         Time: You may start to fish at 6:00 AM the day of the tournament and must stop fishing at 4 PM. Any fish caught after 4:00 PM are not permitted to be checked in. You must check in and report your catch to the Tournament Director or his assistant between 4:30-5:00 PM only.  No fish will be accepted after 5:00 PM and there is no grace period or exceptions.

·         Check In: You must check in with the Tournament Director or his assistant at one of the following locations:

o        East: Grand River Tackle - 250 High ST. Fairport Harbor, OH 44077, 440-352-7222

o        West: Erie Outfitters 5380 Lake Rd Sheffield Lake, OH 44054, (440) 949-8934 

·         Where to Fish: Fishing is permitted only in Ohio tributaries and surf of Lake Erie. No lake or river fishing from a boat is permitted. Drift boats are permitted for transportation on the river only.

·         Number of Fish to Enter: You may enter 1 to 2 Steelhead trout per tournament date with a maximum of 6 fish entered for the entire three date series. The minimum length is 24" inches. Only steelhead trout may be entered. No Salmon or Brown trout will be accepted. No cut or frozen fish will be accepted.

·         Regulations: All entries must follow Ohio Fishing Regulations.

Measurement & Verification: All Competitors must have their fish length verified by a fellow competitor or brought to the check-in station. Length measurements are to be made by laying the fish down on its side and measuring the upper side of the fish from lip to either tip of tail along the lateral line using a soft sewing type tape measure to the nearest 1/8 inch. Sweep the tail to determine the maximum length. Tapes are available from the Tournament Director.                                      

o        Any fish brought in to the check in station, will be measured by the tournament director or his assistant, by the tournament method, to verify length.

·         C&R: Please remember to be gentle with the fish and return it to the water as quickly as possible, using proper catch and release techniques.

·         Winning Criteria: Tournament winners will be determined based on the total length of fish of the longest two fish checked in per tournament day. Individual tournament winners will be the steelheader with the longest two fish total for each of the three the tournament days. The overall series winner will be the fisherman with the longest 4 fish total inches, based on fish entered for the fall, winter, and spring tournaments. While 6 fish may be turned in, only the longest four will be used to determine the overall tournament winner. Winners will be notified within two days of each fishing date.  Tournament Director or his assistant will measure any fish brought in to check-in point and this measurement will be used for the tournament.

·         Tie Breakers: In the event of a tie for 1st, 2nd or 3rd place, the winner will be determined using the length of their largest fish.  If the measurement of that fish results in a tie, the winner will be determined using the length of their second largest fish, etc.

·         Prizes: A plaque and gift certificate will be awarded for each individual tournament winner. The winner of the combined overall tournament will be awarded a plaque, gift certificate and a silver O.C.B.S. belt buckle. Second and third place in the overall will receive a plaque and gift certificate.

·         Raffle Prizes: All participants will receive a ticket at entry to be used in a drawing for a premium rod and additional prizes. Participants will earn an additional ticket for each fish turned in that meets the tournament requirements, up to a maximum of two for each tournament date. (Entry fee, plus up to 6 fish equals a max of 7 tickets in the drawing.)

·         Polygraph Testing: Note: 1st and 2nd place winners and their partners may be subject to a polygraph exam.

·         Questions & Concerns: Tournament Director's decision will be final.

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Note: If you have any questions, please contact either Dave Craddock, Tournament Director, Joe Moravec or Tom Blotzer at one of the monthly meetings or give them a call. Their phone numbers are listed on the inside cover of the newsletter.